A Little Bedroom Can be Big on Style

Interior Decorating Tips on Colors that Set the Mood and Open the Space; Space-Saving Tricks to Maximize the Area

© 2012 by Alyssa Davis; all rights reserved; content may not be copied, rewritten, or republished without written permission.

This article was updated on 01/28/19. Happy National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day!
While you’ll find lots of grand designs for the large scale bedroom spaces — sitting areas, media centers, wet bars, and more, for example — the reality is that most people have bedrooms that are more modest in scale and need to be dealt with accordingly.

However, just because a bedroom is small, that doesn—t mean you have to settle for a matched furniture set from a low-end furniture store and a “bed-in-a-bag” approach to decorating.

The truth is that small spaces can ooze charm and personality and the small scale can be an asset rather than a liability. Here are some great ideas for bringing big style to small bedroom spaces. The recent fascination with tiny houses is a good example.

Let’s Start with Some Color Ideas:

• Black and White is Always Fabulous: Black and white is crisp, classic, and always fabulous, whether you want something trendy and modern, casual and inviting, or tailored and traditional. With black and white, the impact is created by simple contrast.
  
  For example, you could paint the walls and trim in white and then hang a funky chandelier in black; black wall art and a single black throw pillow on a bed dressed in simple white invites you to relax, read in bed and feel right at home.
  
  
• A Tonal Approach Brings Depth, Texture and Spaciousness: This is the opposite approach; it’s about similarity instead of contrast and it provides many layers of interest. Try many shades white with the same undertone; you can even range from white to taupe or white to gray.
  
  Those whites with yellow undertones add warmth and look wonderful when mingled with golds and warm wood tones. If you want a cool, contemporary look, choose whites with blue undertones that will happily coexist with grays or the palest of blues.
  
  Either approach works if you use a monochromatic palette and then add a tiny punch of color through understated accessorizing: For example, you might add a dash of paprika red in ribbon trim on lamp shades and in a monogrammed pillow. Or a cool icy blue may turn up in a metal art and the base of a glass lamp on a dresser.

Style-Conscious Space Saving Tricks:

There is always a need to save space in a small bedroom, or rather, make the space more functional while seeming larger than it is and there are many designer tricks that can be used to achieve this.

• A Wall Ledge adds Depth, Space and Style: A wall ledge around the room or even just a wall or two is a great way to add space without having to bring in extra furniture. Behind the bed, make it deep enough to accommodate a pretty lamp and a stack of books.
  
  On another wall, it might hold decorative accessories, prop up frameless art, candles, or a rhythmic line of practical and stylish boxes and baskets that can be used to stash away a myriad of personal items.
  
  The division of the wall with the ledge also offers design opportunities: You can paint the wall below the ledge in a deeper tone than the wall above to add the illusion of depth. Or install painted beaded board below to give the room a cottage, country or nautical feel.
  
  
• Use the Walls to Your Advantage: Rather than cluttering up the small space with two end tables and matching lamps, install wall sconces on either side of the bed.
  
  Those with swing arm styles are perfect because you can adjust them to read the paper or a favorite book; a three-way bulb in these wall lights also gives you more options on lighting to fit your mood. Floating wall shelves are ideal for the area above the bed, adding space for display and storage.

I hope you enjoyed this bedroom design and decoration article and found it helpful. If so, please share the link with friends. And if you have some related ideas please share them with our readers in the comment section below.

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