"How I Maximize Every Inch of Space in My Tiny Bedroom"

Don’t compromise on style just because you’re short on space.

I’ve lived in sharehouses since I was 19 years old. Over the last eleven years of renting, I can count on one hand the times I’ve lived in a spacious room (two, it’s only two times). So it’s safe to say I’ve become pretty adept at working with limited space and making it look cute. While I’m no interior designer, I’ve always been drawn to warm, inviting rooms and have accrued a fair few tips for curating space-challenged bedrooms so that they feel authentic to you but not crammed full of stuff.

In my early twenties I definitely had a tendency to overdecorate, probably as a reaction to the limited space I was working with. So little of the house felt like it was just mine that I wanted to utilise each inch of my tiny bedroom. Obviously, this resulted in these rooms feeling even smaller and more cramped than they were to begin with. So below, I’ve compiled my best advice for getting the most out of limited spaces.

Opt for a simplified color palette

The first one is something I learned the hard way – if you try to pack a tiny bedroom full of an array of bold and beautiful colors, it ends up overwhelming the eye. One of the easiest ways to make a space feel calming and inviting is to stick to a simple, refined color palette. And no, that doesn’t mean it has to be all minimalist in shades of beige and white.

The colors don’t have to be neutral; so long as you stick with a couple of well-chosen colors, you can achieve the same effect. I’ve often opted for shades of green in my bedrooms over the years, as, aside from being my favorite color, there are many beautiful shades of it that work harmoniously together.

Pile books in interesting ways

One of the best styling hacks for a small space is making use of your collection of books. Books can work well as a practical stylistic feature, whether they’re stacked up beside your bed as a bedside table, placed on a shelf above your headboard as an eyecatching feature, or placed in color-coded stacks in a space that might otherwise be unused, like a fireplace or mantelpiece.

In my current bedroom, I have them color-coded in stacks in my fireplace, with a hanging plant draping over them from the mantelpiece above. Without fail, it’s always the most complimented area of my bedroom.

Smart, aesthetically-pleasing storage is your best friend

Storage doesn’t have to be unsightly. One of the smartest things I ever did was invest in a sleek IKEA bed base with built-in under-bed drawers. I pack these drawers full of things I have nowhere else in my room to store—towels, sweats, pajamas, and spare bed linen. There are also bed frames on the market that have under-mattress storage, which is a great option if you have a lot of stuff to store and limited space.

Another approach I’ve taken in the past with storage is to embrace the power of shelving. Well-positioned shelves can add a lot of personality into your space, while also acting as much-needed storage. You can curate a visually pleasing pile of books and assorted trinkets to sit on them, all without making the room feel cluttered. That’s a win-win to me.

If having decor on display on your shelves isn’t your style, you can always opt for a basket of some sort to pop on the shelf. That way, you aren’t limited solely to aesthetically pleasing items and can use the shelf space to store all manner of things, while still adding visual interest to the space.

Use a curtain to separate the space

This one probably applies more to solo renters or homeowners who have their own (limited) space. Adding a curtain is an inexpensive way to separate what space you do have, particularly if you live in a studio where everything is in one room. Putting a curtain between your bedroom and living area will ensure that you feel like you’re actually in a separate space, whether you’re reclining on your couch or curling up in bed.

Why not try a sconce?

If you’re super limited for space and can’t conceive of having room for a bedside table to house a lamp, I’d suggest trying out a sconce. Attached to the wall, these lights provide the lamp lighting we all crave (unless you’re a psychopath who likes sitting around under the Big Light) without using up any precious space. Plus, with so many varied designs available, they’re an easy way to bring some color or interest into your room without compromising on space.