How to Get That Primary Bedroom Feel—No Matter How Small Your Space Is (2024)

Start With a Large Rug

Nothing makes a space look smaller than a rug too small for it. In the bedroom, it's especially important to have a rug large enough to cover the area around the bed—not to mention it's more comfortable to step on when you wake up.If you can't fit a large rug in your space, opt for two runners flanking the bed instead.

Go All White

Want to get that plush hotel look? Try going all white: walls, ceiling, floors, furniture, and,most importantly, bedding. Play with textures instead of colors by adding cashmere, sheepskin, and linens. White walls can look dingy in a small room with very little natural light. If that's the case for you, paint the walls and ceiling a soft muted color, and keep everything else white.

Add a Funky Chair

Fill an awkward corner with a statement chair. Not only does it look great on its own, but it comes in handy when you want to throw clothes or a bag over it at the end of a long day. After all, laziness happens to the best of us.If there is no space for a chair, try a smaller accent like a stool or even a woven basket to handle extra clutter.

Make a Chandelier Statement

Fill the height of your space with alarge statement chandelier, which will also enhance the mood lighting in your space. Just don't forget to put it on a dimmer in case you want to set a more relaxing tone. If you have low ceilings, opt for a chandelier that branches out horizontally instead of vertically.

Try a Canopy Bed

One of the most frequent questions people have for their interior designers is how to fill a large, blank wall space. This problem is especially common in the bedroom, where you often have a large wall behind the bed. A canopy bed visually fills vertical space in your room so that it looks more structured and layered. Yes, you can have a canopy bed in a small room. Just opt for one with a thin frame.

Go Big With Wallpaper

Another way to fill large blank space, especially in a room with tall ceilings, is to use a patterned or textured wallpaper, like in the bedroom above. It gives the space a moody feel and keeps the eye interested. Don't be afraidto use dark colorsin small spaces. Especially if you have little natural light, it can help the space feel cozier.

Supersize Your Sconces

In a large bedroom, don't be afraid to supersize your bedsidetables and sconces. There's nothing worse than leaving large blank spaces on each side of the nightstands. Sconces work wonders in small rooms because they free up nightstand space. Just make sure you opt for lights that have an appropriate scale for the room.

Bring in a Bench

In large bedrooms, empty space can feel awkward. Try adding a small living area in your room, if you can, or even just add a bench at the foot of your bed to fill the room. Not only will it make the space feel more layered, but it's also practical.

Pay careful attention to the traffic clearance in your space—which should be around 2 to 3 feet wide to walk around comfortably. Don't try to cram too much furniture in, or your space will end up looking cluttered.

Create a Seating Area

No matter how big or small, a seating area in your bedroom will make it feel a lot bigger. Try a pair of chairs or even a window seat to make your space multipurpose. A double-duty space will always get more use and feel a whole lot bigger. Pay attention to thescale of the seatingyou chose. If your space is small, opt for more petite lounge chairs or build-in a seating space that doubles as storage like a window bench.

Fake a Big Space

A largefloor mirrorwill trick the eye into feeling like the room is much bigger and brighter than it actually is. By leaning a mirror against an empty wall, you'll instantly add a feeling of expansiveness into your space. Just make sure to reflect on something you love to look at.

Frame Your Bed With Curtains

We love the idea of a canopy bed, but if you don't want to update your bed frame, try faking the look by hanging floor-grazing curtains from the ceiling like in the California bedroom above. This will actually make your bed feel like its own little sanctuary, leaving the rest of the space for other uses.

While a statement canopy bed might feel counter-intuitive in a small space, it can actually help mentally divide your bedroom's areas and help you sleep more soundly. Just pull the curtain and the clutter is gone.

Create Continuity With Fabric

Using the power of repetition is a great way to make your space feel larger and more coherent. In the bedroom above, the walls, floors, and evencurtainsare all in the same shade of gray, giving the space a feeling of expansiveness. By contrast, a few repetitive black velvet accents create continuity.

To make a small dark room appear larger, lay the largest and lightest rug you can find—a light gray is ideal. Then paint the walls (and maybe even the ceiling) in the same hue to disguise the lines that define the room.

Incorporate Blush Tones

It's our personal belief that blush is a neutral color. Plus, if you can incorporate a few different shades of the relaxing hue, it won't look overly feminine. This House of Harvee-designed primary bedroom is a perfect example of the right way to use this soothing shade without going overboard.

Get Inspired by the Past

This bedroom definitely feels contemporary—what with the bright white walls and Pixar-like table lamp—but the nightstand is perfectlymid-century modern. The super-popular design movement undeniably inspires the shape, proportion, and material, and we're into it. Mixing pieces from different eras is always a good idea.

Level Up Your Pillow Game

There is no such thing as too many pillows. Yes, having a few may add a couple of minutes to your morning when you make the bed, but that's okay. After all, what feels more warm and welcoming than a bevy of plush throws?

Don't Re-Wire Your Space

If you like the idea of using sconces rather than bedside tables, we're with you. However, if your wall isn't exactly set up for wall lights, don't fret! These days, there are so many plug-in alternatives that prioritize function as much as they do form.

Go Dramatic

Nothing is more dramatic than a dark element in a light space. Case in point: This heather gray bedroom with pops of bright white and a jet-black bed and nightstand. Plus, the dark bed frame doesn't detract from the room's inviting and warm feel. In fact, it almost gives it a lived-in look.

Let Your High Ceilings Speak for Themselves

In a space with high ceilings, trying to fill up that immense wall space can feel like an obvious move. However, if you're blessed with tall walls, consider leaving them more or less empty. Sure, you can add a few sconces and a small piece of art, but there's something really cool and industrial about super-tall ceilings that make a space feel ultra-contemporary.

Bring the Outdoors In

In this lake house, designer Erin Williams was inspired by the soothing shades just outside. She brought the natural tones indoors by way of the lake-blue bedding and organic wood headboard. Plus, matching your interiors to the views makes the space look that much more cohesive.

Layer Patterns

There's no rule that states you have to match all of the patterns in your space. As long as one pattern doesn't take over the space (which may make any additional patterns feel random or forced), feel free to mix as many patterns as you want. In this dreamy bedroom, the floral curtains and abstract rug look perfect together.

Opt for a Statement Ceiling

Statement ceilings are perhaps the easiest way to add a cool and unexpected element to your space. Whether you decide to cover it in wallpaper or paint it, you can't go wrong.

Decorate With Plants

Whether they're big or small, plants instantly make a space feel more welcoming. There's something soothing about them, which is probably why most spas feature plants, now that we think about it. Not to mention, plants add some bold and natural color.

Get Creative

They may be small, but these unique rope sconces up the cool factor in a big way. In this bedroom designed by Pure Salt Interiors, the neutral and calm design only enhances the look of the lighting.

Don't Be Afraid of Color

Generally, we'd never think to pair a fiery orange-red with a majestic teal-and-gold patterned wallpaper, but in this Dazey Den bedroom, it totally works. It may take a few tries to get these non-traditional color pairings just right, but when you finally discover the right combination, you'll be so glad you decided to experiment with color.

Use Your Space

If you have a large bedroom, take advantage and incorporate some elements you'd always wished you had in your sleeping quarters. For instance, a cozy lounge, vintage furniture, and bookshelves are a great place to start.

Make a Reading Nook

Sometimes, it's more appealing to flip through the pages of your favorite novel in a cozy armchair rather than in bed. If that's the case for you, look for an armchair that's as comfy as it is stylish and stick it in just about any corner where there's room.

Divide Your Space

If you live in a studio apartment and don't love the idea of being able to see (or maybe even touch) your oven from your bed, get creative and cordoned off your bed from the rest of the apartment. Floor-length curtains are a great option that requires minimal effort.

Opt for Large-Scale Decor

Even if your space isn't enormous, there may be enough room to feature one big piece, like an oversizedmirror. Large-scale pieces add a sense of regality and stateliness to a space that smaller pieces can't.

Get Blackout Drapery

Sometimes the layout of your bedroom gives you no other option than to place your bed right in front of the window. Opting for blackout shades or curtains (any sort of window treatment will work) is always a good move—especially when you want to sleep in.

Choose a Non-Traditional Headboard

There are almost limitless options when it comes toheadboards, so make sure you get something you absolutely love. Our favorite? Non-traditional ones that make a serious design statement in just about any space.