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In a small bedroom, the furniture you choose decides whether the room feels calm or crowded. The bed takes most of the floor, so the rest has to be slim, tall or built into the walls.
Start with the bed, then add only what you use every day. The ideas below are in the order to buy.
Measure first
- Room size and the door swing. Note which way the door and the closet open.
- Walkway. Leave about 24 inches clear on at least one side of the bed, and 30 where you can.
- Bed size. A queen is 60 by 80 inches, a full 54 by 75, a twin 38 by 75. In a room under 10 by 10 feet, a full is often better than a queen.
- Window and radiator. Do not block either.
- Wall space. Mark where the height is free for tall pieces.
01A bed with a low profile and storage
A platform bed with drawers holds clothes and bedding, so you need a smaller dresser. Choose one with drawers on a side that has room to open.
02A headboard with shelves
A headboard with a shelf or cubbies holds a lamp and a book and removes the need for a nightstand. Check that the shelf is deep enough for a phone and a glass.
03Wall-hung nightstands
A floating shelf or a small wall-hung cabinet frees the floor and makes the room look larger. Fix it into studs and keep it about 24 inches above the mattress top.
04A tall, narrow dresser
A dresser tall rather than wide uses wall height. A 16-inch deep dresser holds as much as a wide one with half the footprint. See small bedroom storage ideas.
05A wardrobe or closet system
If there is no closet, a freestanding wardrobe is the biggest piece you will buy. Measure the height and the door swing, and consider sliding doors in a narrow room. For built-in options see small closet ideas.
Ready-to-assemble closet systems at Rara RTA Cabinets
06A bed that folds or converts
For a guest room or a studio, a daybed, a sofa bed or a wall bed gives you a living area by day. Check the mattress quality, as you will sleep on it.
07A desk that folds away
A wall-mounted fold-down desk gives you a workspace without a permanent piece. Close it and the wall is clear.
08A bench or ottoman at the foot of the bed
A storage ottoman holds blankets and gives a place to put on shoes. Make sure the lid can open with the bed in place.
09A mirror to open the room
A tall mirror on the wall or the back of the door reflects light and makes the room look bigger. Choose a leaning or wall-mounted one so it uses no floor.
10Curtains and a rug to pull it together
Soft furnishings make a small room feel finished. Hang curtains close to the ceiling to lift the eye, and size a rug so it extends 18 to 24 inches beyond the bed on each side. See small living room rug ideas and curtain ideas for sizing rules that apply here too.
Which piece first
- Under 100 square feet: a platform bed with storage, wall-hung nightstands, a tall dresser.
- No closet: a wardrobe first, then a low bed.
- Guest room: a daybed or sofa bed.
- Renter: freestanding pieces and no wall fixings.
Before you pay
- Measure the room, the door, the stairs and the hallway.
- Check the weight limit on beds and wall shelves.
- Choose flat-pack furniture with a clear assembly guide, and keep the tools.
- Read the return policy for large items.
