54 small bedroom ideas to help you make most of your space

Ikea's PAX wardrobes can be easily upgraded to look built-in (there are countless DIY tutorials on Instagram), the doors can be painted or panelled to suit your room and hardware can be swapped out for something a bit more glamourous. Take a look at the rest of this budget small bedroom makeover for more inspiration.

There can be a tendency to strip small spaces of decoration in an attempt to create something that feels expansive, but in doing so, you can diminish their cosiness and personality. An eclectic mix of prints can work to great effect in a small space – have a look at artist Diane Hill's pattern-filled home for inspiration.

Using wall panelling to extend the silhouette of your bed is a common design device for small bedrooms. In fact this is often used in lieu of a headboard. The wall mounted lights are a clever addition to free up space on the bedside tables.

• Design project by Topology

If you have a small spare bedroom, you can turn it into a dedicated dressing space. It might feel indulgent at first, but a well-designed dressing area quickly proves its worth — offering generous storage and a quiet sanctuary to start and finish each day with intention.

Pictured: Country Living Morocco Carpet at Tapi

'When looking to kit out a small bedroom, being able to move freely around the bedroom is key to making sure you don’t bump your shins on clutter left around the floor. Think about investing in a storage bed either with drawers or with an ottoman lift, or if your budget prevents this, consider separate wheeled drawers that you can slide under the existing bed – just make sure you check the height from floor to bed,' says Caitlin Price, head of buying, furniture & flooring at John Lewis & Partners.

• Shop the look: House Beautiful Gatsby Ottoman Bed at DFS

In a small bedroom, function trumps all. Whilst a bedside table is a more traditional choice, consider if alternatives such as armchairs, desks or dressing tables would better serve your lifestyle.

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This lovely tucked-away bedroom may be small, but it's filled with character and colour. Make use of every corner by installing reading lights above the bed or creating DIY-style bookshelves. Here, bedside essentials are just propped on top of the bed frame.

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A white room will enhance space and brightness, so introduce colourful accents through accessories and furniture instead. This sweet design scheme relies on bright, chalky pastels to add colour without detracting from the airy and bright feel of the room.

If you a few extra inches of floorspace at the foot of your bed. rethink the hefty upholstered headboard. This hinged MDF board has been tiled and trimmed in red paint for a truly unique and super slim alternative.

'Having a smaller bedroom doesn’t necessarily mean having fewer clothes. With clever storage compartments, clothes can be sorted and stored away whilst keeping the room looking tidy,' explains Clotilde Passalacqua, interior design leader at Ikea UK and Ireland. 'Make the most of the wardrobe space by using storage compartments to organise clothes in an efficient and smart way.'

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The designers at Oakley Moore have used a wall-mounted light and tiny shelf built into the bespoke wardrobes in lieu of a bedside table in this West London renovation.

Consider the visual weight of the furniture you use in a small bedroom – slim bedside tables, stools with spindly legs, a lot of glass and mirrored surfaces, and an absence of cumbersome freestanding units can make all the difference.

This super small bedroom has utilised a tiny return to layer some simple frames and artwork, creating a makeshift mini gallery wall.

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This basement in the home of Melanie Lissack, has been transformed into a hybrid small bedroom/home office. A neat folding sofa bed from Made.com and compact desk take up a modest amount of space, and decoration is cleverly contained to a tiny shelf.

If your bed is the only thing you can fit in your small bedroom, you can make a real feature of it by choosing a four poster with a wonderful draped canopy. This can be fashioned easily from a length of material – a soft cotton or linen would be a good choice.

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A slanted roof will inevitably compromise space in a small bedroom, but this can be optimised with fitted wardrobes. This fabulous blush pink example with stylish brass hardware is a feature in itself.

'To create the feeling of more space in a small room, stick to one single colour, this will help create more space as with no point of reference and no contrasts, you’re less aware of where things stop and start,' explains Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball.

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You don't have to match the scale of your accessories to the scale of your room – one big statement can often have more of an impact than several smaller ones.