10 Best Tricks to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger
If you’re living in a tiny bedroom and you’re tired of feeling like you’re sleeping in a broom closet, you’re not alone.
You don’t have to knock down walls to make a small bedroom look bigger.
With a few clever styling tricks, you can seriously transform your space without breaking the bank.
Here are 10 most basic, simple, practical ways to make your small bedroom look bigger — and actually enjoy hanging out in it.
Hi there👋, I’m Jacqueline, founder of The Glade Design! I specialize in residential interior design. Visit my service page for details or email me to chat!
1. Stick to Light Colours (They’re Your Best Mate)
First things first: colour can completely change how a room feels.
Light, neutral colours — like soft whites, beiges, pale blues, and gentle green — are magic for helping a small bedroom look bigger.
They bounce natural light around the room, making everything feel more open and airy.
Dark colours absorb light and close in a space. That deep navy feature wall might look epic in a magazine, but in real life? It’s going to make your bedroom feel even smaller. If you are really into dramatic colour, try doing on all walls, trims and ceiling, and go easy on the furnitures instead.
Quick tip:
If you’re keen for a bit of colour, stick to light pastels or muted tones. Even a soft sage green or a dusty pink can keep that bright, open feeling.
Also — don’t forget the ceiling! A crisp white ceiling will visually lift the height of the room.
2. Mirrors: The Oldest Trick in the Book (Because It Works)
Seriously, if you only do one thing to make your small bedroom look bigger, make it this: add a mirror.
Mirrors create the illusion of depth and reflect both natural and artificial light.
A massive mirror leaning casually against the wall can double the perceived size of your space.
If you can, position your mirror opposite a window to really maximise the light bounce.
And don’t be shy about sizes — bigger is better here. Even mirrored furniture or mirrored wardrobe doors can sneakily make a small bedroom look bigger without you even realising it.
Extra tip:
Circular mirrors soften the space if you’ve got a lot of straight edges and corners in your room.
3. Declutter Like You Mean It
You can’t expect a small bedroom look bigger if it’s stuffed to the rafters with junk.
If you haven’t worn it, used it, or thought about it in six months — out it goes.
Less is absolutely more.
A clean, minimalist vibe isn’t just trendy — it actually helps your brain relax too.
Things to do today:
- Clear off your nightstand (keep it to a lamp and one small item like a book or plant)
- Chuck out those weird socks you keep “just in case”
- Organise stuff into under-bed storage boxes to get it out of sight
Decluttering opens up floor space and clears the visual clutter, instantly making your small bedroom look bigger.
4. Pick Low and Lightweight Furniture
The furniture you choose matters big time.
If your bed sits way up high with a massive bedhead and chunky frame, you’re eating up precious visual space.
To help your small bedroom look bigger, go for:
- A lower bed frame (even a mattress on a simple platform looks clean and modern)
- Slim-legged furniture like side tables and dressers
- Floating furniture (wall-mounted nightstands are chef’s kiss)
The more floor space you can see, the bigger the room feels. It’s all about tricking the eye into thinking there’s more breathing room.
5. Embrace Vertical Space
If you can’t spread out, build up!
Using your vertical space smartly can massively help your small bedroom look bigger.
Ideas:
- Wall-mounted bookshelves
- High-mounted curtain rods
- Tall plants in corners
- Hooks and hanging organisers for accessories or bags
Adding height draws the eye upward, making the ceiling feel taller and the room feel grander.
Pro tip:
Just don’t overdo it — leave some blank space between shelves and items so it doesn’t feel cluttered up high too.
6. Light, Sheer Curtains
Heavy, dark curtains suck up the light and make your room feel like a cave. Not the goal.
Switch to lightweight, sheer curtains that let in as much natural light as possible.
If you need privacy, layering sheer curtains under block-out blinds is a genius move.
Also — install your curtain rods as high as you can above the window frame. It makes your small bedroom look bigger by drawing the eye up and giving the illusion of taller windows.
7. Keep Patterns Soft and Subtle
Love bold prints? Same. But in a tiny space, big busy patterns can totally overwhelm a room.
To make your small bedroom look bigger, stick with:
- Small, subtle patterns (tiny florals, thin stripes, small polka dots)
- Textures over prints (like linen, velvet, or a soft weave)
If you’re dying to add a bold pattern, keep it to one accent piece — like a cushion, throw blanket, or small area rug.
8. Choose Multi-Tasking Furniture
When space is tight, everything needs to pull double duty.
Some absolute ripper ideas to make your small bedroom look bigger:
- A bed frame with drawers underneath
- A trunk at the foot of the bed for storage and seating
- A fold-down desk if you’re working from home
- Bedside tables with shelves underneath
This cuts down on the number of things you need in the room — and less furniture = more space = bigger feel.
9. Stick to a Tight Colour Palette
Visual chaos makes a room feel smaller.
To make your small bedroom look bigger, pick one main colour and stick with two or three accents maximum.
For example:
- Base: Soft white
- Accents: Dusty blue and natural wood tones
Keeping colours consistent makes your space feel cohesive, calm, and way more open.
Bonus:
If you love that dreamy Pinterest look, layering shades of one colour (like a full beige or sage green palette) creates gorgeous depth without visual clutter.
10. Layer Your Lighting
Lighting is massive when it comes to making a small bedroom look bigger.
Overhead lights alone tend to cast harsh shadows, which chop up a space visually.
Layer your lighting like this:
- A soft overhead light (not too harsh)
- A cosy bedside lamp
- Fairy lights or LED strips for mood lighting
- Maybe even a small floor lamp in a dark corner
Soft, layered lighting blurs edges and brightens corners, helping everything feel more open and inviting.
Extra Tricks That Work (Because Why Not?)
Keep the Floor as Clear as Possible
The more floor space you can see, the bigger the room feels.
Avoid big bulky rugs or extra furniture pieces that don’t serve a purpose.
Go Minimal on Artwork
One large piece of art = way better than five tiny ones crammed together.
Big art gives the illusion of more space and makes a bold statement without clutter.
Quick FAQ: Making a Small Bedroom Look Bigger
Can I still use dark colours?
You can, but use them sparingly — think accents like throw pillows, not entire walls.
Is a big bed a bad idea?
Not necessarily! A queen bed can fit fine if you scale down the rest of your furniture and keep things minimal.
Do area rugs make a difference?
Yep! A large light-coloured rug under your bed can actually make the room feel bigger by pulling the space together.
What about wallpaper?
Small, subtle prints can work, but go easy. Stick to one feature wall max.
Making a small bedroom look bigger doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
With the right colours, smart furniture choices, good lighting, and some ruthless decluttering, you can totally transform even the tiniest space.
It’s all about creating the feeling of space — and trust me, once you’ve got it, your whole home life feels lighter and better.
So whether you’re dealing with a pokey city apartment, a share house situation, or just a tiny guest room, these tricks can help you live large, no matter the square metres.
✅ Light and bright colours
✅ Big mirrors
✅ Declutter, declutter, declutter
✅ Keep furniture low and slim
✅ Use your vertical space
✅ Choose sheer curtains
✅ Go gentle with patterns
✅ Get smart multi-use furniture
✅ Stick to a tight palette
✅ Layer your lights
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