When it comes to living space, UK homes don’t offer the most generous dimensions. Unlike the United States where the average property size is more than 2300 square feet, most Brits settle into homes of around 730 square feet. These smaller dimensions mean it’s essential to embrace smart storage ideas, especially in the bedroom.

Looking for inspiration? We have you covered. Whether you live in a pocket-sized townhouse in Edinburgh, a compact flat in London or a tiny studio in Southend-on-Sea, these clever small bedroom design ideas will help you make the most of your square footage.

 

 

 

Small bedroom decorating ideas

 

Less is more

 

One of the best small bedroom ideas is to adopt a “less is more” philosophy. For example, do you really need to display all those empty perfume bottles you finished years ago? Sure, they’re pretty. But ultimately, they create clutter and make your bedroom feel smaller.

 

The same goes for all those miniature house plants you may have scattered around your room. Rather than five small pots, why not upgrade to one larger plant? Choosing one bigger item over multiple smaller items is a great way to make your bedroom feel more spacious and luxurious. 

 

 

 

 

Design a smart wardrobe (we don't mean from scratch!)

 

If you really want to apply yourself a smart wardrobe is where you can really save space.  When it comes to small bedroom design, wardrobes are one of the most useful storage spaces. The difference between a cleverly designed wardrobe and a thrown together counterpart is enormous. While we wouldn’t recommend IKEA for bed linen, the Swedish home furnishings giant has some genius wardrobe design and storage solutions.  If your short on ideas for wardrobe space take a walk through one of there stores and find some great ideas. 

If you’re not a fan of IKEA and more of a DIY-er, you can still utilise some great hacks to maximise your storage space. For example, attaching hooks or rails to the inside of your wardrobe door can instantly create space to hang scarves, handbags, ties, belts and other accessories. Amazon has some brilliant space saving wardrobe products, including durable hanging chains that allow you to vertically stack garments. Hanging your trousers on S-hooks using belt loops or sewn-in loop tags is another crafty space-saving hack.

 

Door hooks are your friend

 

From your dressing gown to your winter coat, door hooks are a clever and easy way to improve your small bedroom layout. If you’re renting an apartment and don’t feel comfortable drilling holes into your door, bars that hook over the top are a great option. In a pinch, you could even opt for heavy-duty sticky hooks from your local hardware store. They don’t look fantastic, but they will do the job.

Hanging a calico laundry bag on the back of your door is a great way to free up floor space if you currently use a bulky hamper. Transforming the back of your door into a tiered shoe rack is another creative space-saving solution. Again, Amazon is a great place to look for this kind of product.  

 

Embrace the floating shelf

 

From house plants and books to candles and photo frames, floating shelves transform bare walls into clever storage solutions. While floating shelves are great for showing off your favourite items, be careful not to overdecorate as this can make your small room feel cluttered. Remember, less is more when it comes to very small bedroom ideas.

 

Install a wall-mounted nightstand

 

Take the floating shelves idea one step further and use it to free up space around your bed. Wall-mounted nightstands can slot into even the smallest spaces and create a flat surface where you can store your phone, book, water glass and other bedtime essentials. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choose a bed with storage

 

If you have a small bedroom, chances are your bed takes up the majority of your floor space. As well as being a place to rest your head, beds can also moonlight as fantastic storage solutions. For example, choosing a bed with built-in drawers instantly gives you extra storage space. This makes it one of the best small bedroom storage ideas. If you prefer the aesthetic of a raised bed, you can achieve the same effect by investing in a bed with headboard storage.

 

 

 

Consider radiator covers

 

While radiators keep us warm and cosy for much of the year, they can often be unsightly and take up an absurd amount of space. Radiator covers can be a stylish way to not only hide a bulky radiator but also create bonus storage space.

We’d recommend investing in a pre-built radiator cover as opposed to embarking on a DIY project as there are some safety issues to consider. Primarily, the fact that radiators can get very hot and shouldn’t be exposed to flammable materials. Homebase has some great affordable options that not only hide unattractive radiators, but also create a flat surface where you can safely place plants, books, lamps and any other bedroom items.  

 

Install a fold-down desk

 

Over the past few years, millions of Brits have been forced to embrace the work-from-home life. For many people, this has meant repurposing bedrooms as home offices. Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated office space or even a bedroom that’s large enough to comfortable accommodate a desk. If you’re struggling to find WFH space, installing a fold-down desk is one of the top small bedroom decorating ideas of 2021. The best space-saving options mount to the wall and can be folded up and down as you please.

Not sold on the idea of a wall-mounted desk? Why not consider a window-mounted option? If you’ve ever seen cats basking in the sunshine in a hammock attached to the window with suction cups, you’ll be able to picture the concept of a hanging desk. It’s a great space-saving hack if you’re sick and tired of staring at a wall all day and want to pair your work with a little people watching.

 

 

 

Experiment with the pegboard trend

 

More than just a storage solution for sheds and garages, pegboards can be an on-trend addition to the bedroom. Use them to display jewellery, hang photo frames or store bulky items that you don’t want to clutter up your floor space. Some companies offer the option of customising your pegboard with art, meaning it also steps up as a unique interior décor solution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other ideas...

 

 

 

Get creative with your bike storage

 

If you rent a room in a house or apartment, chances are your bedroom doubles as your bike storage. Mounting your bike on a wall is a clever way to transform your ride into a work of art. Freeing up floor space also makes wall-mounted bike racks one of the best small bedroom layout ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Browse “tiny home” websites for inspiration

 

The tiny home trend has swept the globe and captivated people with the concept of small-space living. The internet is overflowing with websites and Instagram pages dedicated to tiny homes and all the incredible storage solution ideas that go with them. Jumping online and browsing these digital platforms is a great way to find inspiration for small bedroom decorating ideas on a budget. You’ll also come across lots of other tips and tricks to use throughout your home.

 

Snooze in a small double bed

Looking for more small bedroom ideas? If you don’t have room for a full-size double bed, opting for a slightly smaller alternative can be a great option. Larger than a single but not quite as big as a full-size double, small double beds offer generous dimensions of 4ft x 6ft 3" or 4ft x 6ft 6".  Some retailers may sell small double beds that are 7ft or longer, which can be a great option if you’re looking for a little extra length.

As small double beds are slightly more compact than standard UK double beds measuring, finding linen that fits can be a headache. Sure, you could simply throw standard double sheets onto a small double bed but you’re instantly compromising your comfort. Sheets that are too large create wrinkles and bunch up during the night having slipped off the corners.

 

To really enjoy your mattress, small double fitted bed sheets are essential. Designed specially to fit small double beds, our premium-quality sheets are made in house at our Lancashire factory using the finest Egyptian cotton and poly cotton weaves. This means you can enjoy all the space-saving benefits of a small double bed without having to compromise on comfort.   

 

Pro tip: for a luxurious, hotel-inspired aesthetic pair a small double bed with a full-size double duvet. Upgrading your duvet size creates extra hang over the edges of your bed and ensures you have plenty of material to snuggle up in.

Browse the full range of small double fitted bed sheets today at Victoria Linen to find the perfect design for you.