And how do you like that when you walk in your apartment bedroom and it feels… blah? Oh yes, I have been there myself. Not some depressing afterthought you constantly contemplate sleeping in the living room couch instead of in yours.
One thing here, though, is that decorating an apartment bedroom does not mean having a huge budget or a floor space the size of a small nation. It is about making rectifying decisions that can make use of what you have. And believe me, having lived over the years in apartments (not to mention decorating enough disasters) I found out one or two things about creating cozy places in small spaces.
Understanding Your Space Limitations
Work With What You’ve Got
Let us face reality the bedrooms in apartments are not particularly large. We are doing our rooms with more of the walk-in closets. But this is where the magic start, that is, limitation triggers creativity.
I encountered this a bit too painfully when I got into a 8×10 foot bedroom literally. When I first moved to this space I had attempted to fit everything I had into it. Spiler alert: it resembled the store that sells furniture that was bombed. The trick is to embrace your limitations as opportunities in the design.
Small bedrooms actually have advantages:
- Fewer decisions to make
- Cozy, intimate atmosphere
- Less expensive to decorate
- Easier to keep organized
Measure Twice, Buy Once
Have you ever ordered a dresser online then realized that it frames half of your closet? Yeah, me too / :/
Make sure you measure anything you intend to purchase perseveringly before you make any purchases. I carry a little tape measure in my purse as you never know when you will see the perfect nightstand at a thrift shop.
| Space | Standard Measurements |
|---|---|
| Twin bed clearance | 24-30 inches on sides |
| Dresser placement | 36 inches from bed |
Choosing the Right Color Scheme
Light Colors Are Your Best Friend
This is something that I did not know at an earlier point in my life and I wish someone had told me that lighter colors make small spaces look larger. It is not a Myth of some home decor job your mom heard on HGTV. Light color really reflects more light that creates illusion of space.
Go to for apartment bedroom: Soft whites, warm grays and pale pastels. These are calm tones of contrast that will not overpower your room. Also, they’re classic enough to wear six months from now.
However, do not imagine by light that I mean boring. Your pillows, artwork and accessories are some of the ways in which you can bring in some personality using accent colors. I adore some splashes of sage green or dusty pink they look classy but are not too eccentric.
The 60-30-10 Rule
Have you ever wondered why, in some rooms, everything seems to feel just right whereas in others rooms nothing seems to settle? Probably, this is due to the adherence to the 60-30-10 color rule:
- 60% dominant color (walls, large furniture)
- 30% secondary color (bedding, curtains)
- 10% accent color (pillows, artwork, accessories)
This formula achieves a balance in visuals but it is not the one that makes your brain work hard to sort out too many color competing against each other.
Maximizing Storage Solutions
Under-Bed Storage Is Gold
It is a waste of real estate to have that space under the bed wasted. I am referring to the use of those plastic bins, vacuum-sealed bags or even the use of a proper bed frame complete with drawers.
Best under-bed storage options:
- Rolling storage bins for seasonal clothes
- Vacuum-sealed bags for extra bedding
- Shoe organizers for small items
- Bed frames with integrated drawers
Vertical Space Is Your Secret Weapon
Bedrooms in an apartment make you think in terms of the vertical. Putting shelves that can be attached to the wall above your bed or dresser will help to keep books, plants or other miscellaneous items without consuming floor area.
I have put floating shelving on each side of the bed rather than normal nightstands. Game changer! They store my essentials and leave the floor open as well as less cluttered in the room.
Furniture Selection and Placement
Multi-Functional Pieces Rule
When it comes to apartment living, nothing should be brought in that will not pay its way. Ottoman with a storage? An ideal place to put extra blankets and seats. Chest of drawers? Necessary in concealing bedside mess.
The most versatile thing I found and loved was the vintage trunk that I use as a coffee table (yes, in my bedroom — don t even start) and temporary storage of out-of-season items. These articles are overachievers so your interior does not need to be.
Strategic Furniture Placement
That is where the fun comes in. Pulling your bed away form the wall (floating the bed) will actually give the impression of a larger space by adding flow to the room. It does, I know it sounds counterintuitive though.
Placement tips that actually work:
- Position your bed diagonally in square rooms
- Use the corner space for a reading chair
- Keep pathways clear and unobstructed
- Place larger furniture against longer walls
Lighting That Works
Layer Your Lighting
Bright lighting that goes overhead does not help the bedroom mood. There should be sufficient light sources on various levels so as to produce ambiance and functionality.
I use three types of lighting in my bedroom:
- Ambient lighting: Soft overhead or wall sconces
- Task lighting: Reading lamps or bedside lights
- Accent lighting: String lights or candles for mood
Natural Light Management
Maximize the natural light should you be fortunate enough to have a window. Light filtering blinds or sheer curtains will provide you with privacy and also allow the sunshine to come in. Dark and heavy curtains will cause your place to feel like a cave- all my experience on this one.
Adding Personality Without Clutter
Gallery Wall Magic
An artful collection of prints and paintings may turn an abhorring bedroom into a cozy retreat. And here is the trick it should stay put together. I use only black frames and white mats to give it a nice unified look.
Take one main object (perhaps something that is important to you) and you can build around it. Combine pictures, prints and possibly a small shelf or two. The trick is to lay your plan out in on the floor before you nail holes.
Plants That Actually Survive
Interested in making your bedroom more lively with not much effort of killing house plants? Select the low-maintenance with the varieties that may grow in the bedroom conditions.
My bedroom plant MVPs:
- Snake plants (literally unkillable)
- Pothos (grows in low light)
- ZZ plants (forgives neglect)
- Peace lilies (tells you when it needs water)
Textiles and Bedding Choices
Layer Like a Pro
Layering textiles adds depth and coziness to your bedroom without breaking the bank. Start with quality basics and add personality through throw pillows, blankets, and rugs.
I swear by the “unmade bed that looks intentionally styled” approach. A few strategically placed pillows and a throw blanket can make even rumpled sheets look magazine-worthy.
Rug Placement That Makes Sense
Having a suitable sized rug will anchor your bedroom, and therefore makes it more substantial. The broad principle? You rug must slide at least 18 inches past the end of your bed and into the bottom of the front legs of your nightstands.
Can’t afford a large rug? Two smaller matching rugs on either side of the bed can create the same visual effect for less money.
Budget-Friendly Styling Tips
Thrift Store Treasures
I have also found some of my favorite bedroom elements through thrift stores, garage sales and Facebook Marketplace. Character can be added by finding vintage nightstands, unique mirrors and interesting artwork that does not have that designer label.
The trick is the vision and patience. I waited three months to find the right vintage dresser and it was worth the wait when I felt it was found at 40 dollars (Was 400 at full retail price)!
DIY Projects That Actually Work
DIY projects aren t all the Pinterest disasters that are bound to happen. These basic improvements such as painting old piece of furniture, doing personal art work, or a stitching a straightforward set of curtains are a money saving approach and yet include individuality.
What was my simplest of DIYs? Brass lamp posts get spray painted to matte black. Cost Total: $8. Impact: huge.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The Scale Trap
Excessive-sized furniture is the quickest method of turning a small bedroom into a crowded one. It may be a king size bed but when you can hardly get around it, you will be claustrophobic whenever you enter the bedroom.
It is IMO preferable to sleep on a comfortable queen or full sized bed with plenty of space to breathe than the huge bed taking over the room.
Over-Decorating
I understand, you want to make your bedroom yours and comfortable. However, a small room cannot be furnished with too many decorative items because it might look cluttered. Select a couple of meaningful objects, and allow them to shine as opposed to cramming every table.
Ignoring the Ceiling
The ceiling is the fifth wall which should not be overlooked. And Visually a coat of soft color paint or the hassle of some string lights in the right places can make your room look taller.
Final Thoughts
The trick to styling an apartment bedroom actually has something to do with conscious decisions like really selecting an aspect of yourself which you will translate to an environment that you want to live in which cannot go above and beyond your limitations. It should not be a huge budget or unlimited space, you simply must be considerate of what you bring into your sanctuary.
You should realize that your bedroom is supposed to bring joy. In that case, even the impractical vintage velvet chair is something that you feel happy to use–so figure out how to do it. Life should not be boring and too short to have boring bedrooms and your apartment should be a home to you.
Sweet dreams! 🙂