Your bedroom in your apartment more of a glorified closet than dreamy escape? I understand, believe me. Having moved into and out of three different shoebox apartments in the last five years, I realise that small space does not mean small dream. There is no doubt that you can turn your small bedroom into a fashionable, fabulous living space and not spend a fortune and not have walls knocked down.
Now let us discuss eight revolutionary decor concepts that do not just exist in fantasy apartments but that are real life in your real apartment (not those Pinterest perfect fantasy rooms that have surely cost more than you spent on rent in a year). 🙂
Maximize Vertical Space with Floating Shelves
What is wrong with people that they never pay attention to their walls? This lesson was taught to me hardly and it was when I was surrounded with clutter in my bedroom and could not find any floor space.
My savior was floating shelves. They are installable above your bed, around windows, or even in the awkward spaces found in the corners of your room, which normally get dusty. This is what I have found out works best:
Put shelves on uneven heights to make it interesting• Place books, plants and other decorative items• Get shelves that enjoy the same finishing with your furniture• Ensure that items that one uses regularly are on lower shelves
What is so great about floating shelves? They take you ceiling space and expands it to higher level accommodating you with storage at the same time. It’s like picking up a room addition WITHOUT the contractor’s bill.
Create a Statement Wall with Removable Wallpaper
Those boring white apartment walls ever stare back at you and you wonder what your landlord might feel about a touch of your artistic endeavors on a small part of the wall? So well, your solution to prayer, which would apply to removable wallpaper- and your security deposit.
I did this in my previous apartment and the results were beyond stunning. The trick is in selecting the right wall the one behind your bed should have most effect.
Choosing Your Pattern
Pick something that reflects your personality but won’t overwhelm the space:
Geometric decorations look excellent in minimalistic rooms • Less intrusive textures can fill the space without distracting the attention • Prints which remind of nature are more peaceful and organic • Metallic accessories can make a little room appear more glamorous
Pro tip: Get samples, first. That which appears great via the internet may seem to be completely off in your real place.
Invest in Multi-Functional Furniture
This is where I become a little preachy but bear with me because this is one home decor trend that is not only cool, it is a must when it comes to apartment living.
Your bed must do more than simply support your weary body at night. Storage beds with built-in drawers get rid of the need for a separate dresser. Ottoman storage benches provides you with seating and storing of extra blankets. Priority to be given to night stands with shelf and drawer for storing bed side stuff’s .
| Furniture Type | Primary Function | Bonus Function |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Bed | Sleep | Hides linens, clothes, shoes |
| Ottoman Bench | Seating | Storage for blankets, books |
Consider all the items that you include in your bedroom. Assuming there is just one use then chances are you are wasting a good space.
Layer Your Lighting Game
Apartment overhead lighting tends to be as flattering as an interrogation unit at the police station. I am sorry, but that ugly ceiling light does not do your bedroom any favors.
Various sources of light became a lesson to me to be able to build up on top of each other and produce indeed the ambiance:
Essential Lighting Layers
• Ambient lighting: Table lamps or floor lamps for overall room glow • Task lighting: Reading lights or desk lamps for functional needs
• Accent lighting: String lights or candles for mood setting • Natural lighting: Maximize windows with sheer curtains
The goal? You would like to establish areas of welcoming warmth in light. Your friend also is the use of dimmer switch, as long as the landlord permits some minimal electric renovations.
Master the Art of Strategic Mirror Placement
Mirrors do more than allow one to check their fit, they can expand a room when used correctly.
I put a huge mirror to face the windows of my bedroom and within a minute I could tell my small room was twice as large. The mirror reflects natural daylight throughout the place and gives the room a reflective depth.
Here’s what actually works:
Mirror natural light sources such as windows and fireplaces • Play with different sized mirrors and forms a gallery wall • Don t hang mirrors in places they go to reflect clutter (I learned this one the hard way) • Lean tall mirrors against a wall rather than hanging them to look casual and modern
Embrace Minimalist Color Schemes
I had the idea that colorful was synonymous with cheery but in small bedrooms overuse of colors leads to visual disorder. Using unified color palette helps your space to look more extensive and more refined.
My current bedroom has predominantly whites, warm grays and natural wood tones but only one accent color, a soft sage green that is displayed in my throw pillows and one piece of wall art.
Foolproof Color Combinations
white + gray + one bold accent color OR neutral earth tones with black accents OR all-white with different textures to give depth OR monochromatic schemes in blues or greens
The secret is the choice of colors that do not have breaks between one place to another. When you have a small space you should not feel your eye jarred by sudden color changes.
Get Creative with Textile Layering
Find out how to make the bedroom in your apartment a luxury hotel in the least amount of time. Layer your fabrics in a way that ya know what you are doing.
What I mean is combining textures, patterns and materials to achieve depth and layers of interest. Begin with what is in your bed, and expand:
Combine sheer cotton sheets with rough knit throws • Use pillows of different texture in complementary color schemes • Layer carpets on top of each other- they can be on top of each other • Have curtains go higher and wider than the window to create the illusion of large windows
It is all about striking a balance of textures within your color scheme. It can be described as being complex, although once we do get the hang of it it is quite intuitive.
Incorporate Living Elements
And it is not only Instagram-worthy, but it leads to a better quality of air and better mental state. And not every person is blessed with a green thumb (so is the case with me).
I am guilty of killing way too many plants, so these days I tend to go with low maintenance choices that require my passive indifference:
Foolproof Bedroom Plants
Snake plants grow well with low light and unpredictable watering practices Pothos vines are beautiful hanging plants off of shelves ZZ plants are nearly impossible to kill Peace lilies clue you in on when its time to water by becoming floppy and begging PLEASE WATER ME
In case you are truly plant-challenged, the quality of artificial plants has improved a lot. The only thing is to avoid the obviously fake ones that look procured in a gasoline station. :/
Bringing It All Together
There is no need to make your bedroom in the apartment a kind of temporary crash pad. The eight strategies will help you to succeed in the case when you want to craft a space that is purposeful, classy, and yours.
What is that secret sauce? One or two ideas should be played with to make a foundation. And do not attempt to turn everything around in one day to end up having a room that will resemble a furniture store that has been bombed.
Just keep in mind, the finest decoration of your bedroom has to be an expression of your personality and at the same time, it has to be something that will work towards your practical needs. Be it a studio or an I-was-put-in-a-closet bedroom these tips will assist you in creating the most out of what you have and the space of your dreams you no longer have to dread going to.
Stop scrolling thru those fake Pinterest rooms and make your own space amazing. You got this!