Seven Tips for Decorating a Small Bedroom

Decorating a small bedroom can be a challenge but, if you follow these 7 tips, you can make your small bedroom cozy not cramped.

1. Maximize the use of space with built-in shelves and cupboards. Ceiling-high, built-in shelving will save space by fully utilizing large expanses of wall and providing extra storage. While built-in shelving can be expensive, a portion of the cost will be offset by reduced investment in furniture. Also, built-in furniture can be an asset when you sell your home, perhaps allowing you to recoup some of the cost.

2. Create a feeling of openness in a small bedroom with neutral colors and plenty of light. Stay away from dark colors, which tend to make a room look and feel smaller and, instead, paint walls in light or neutral shades. Paint baseboards and other trim the same color as the walls and paint the ceiling white. Also, make sure the room has plenty of light, since a dark or dim room will feel claustrophobic. In addition to taking advantage of natural light from windows, use built-in lighting or lamps. Space-saving lighting options include track lighting, floor lamps or wall-mounted lamps.

3. Avoid busy or complicated patterns. Select a solid colored or simply patterned bedspread, and, if your prefer wallpaper rather than paint, choose one with a light background and an open pattern. Likewise, select simple window treatments and be sure that curtains or drapes open clear of the window on both sides so that you can maximize the amount of light that comes into the room.

4. Choose simple furniture that won't overwhelm the space. When decorating a small bedroom, opt for the smallest bed that is comfortable for you (for example a queen rather than a king) and select light-colored furniture with simple, graceful lines. Limit the amount of furniture to the necessities and, choose pieces with height rather than width (for example, select a more vertical, narrower dresser rather than a wide double dresser).

5. Take advantage of space-saving storage options. Use the space under the bed (plastic bins or even old dresser drawers are good choices for this purpose) or purchase a bed with built-in storage. Also, don't forget the space on the back of doors and be creative with closet organizers so as to utilize every bit of this valuable storage space.

6. Minimize clutter. Crammed surfaces and crowded walls will make a small bedroom seem even smaller, so do your best to make your bedroom a clutter-free zone.

7. Use wall space creatively. Select wall-mounted bedside lamps and a wall mounted television to free up floor and counter space.

Sources:

Lee Dobbins, ezinearticles.com, 8 Tips For Decorating a Small Bedroom

Kathy Wilson, www.decoratingyoursmallspace.com, How to decorate a small bedroom

www.ehow.com, How to Furnish a Small Bedroom/eHow.com