1. Use dark colours to accentuate height
Although there seems to be a 'rule' that says you must paint a small room in a pale colour, you can mix it up with darker colours too. In fact one of our favourite design rules is a small bedroom paint idea. It involves pairing dark paint shades on the bottom part of a room to anchor the space and draw the eye up with a paler shared.
2. Streamline window dressings
It is important to make sure that a small bedroom feels 'light'. When it comes to bedroom curtain ideas if you go to heavy these can take up quite a bit of space visually. Instead, consider blinds, shutters or pale curtains that blend with your scheme.
3. Always look for double use furniture
We love double-use storage for all areas of your home, and in a small bedroom, it's paramount. You must pick pieces that work within the space and give you key storage without compromising on the room you have available.
4. Avoid the big light
Another great design rule for small bedrooms is to be creative with your bedroom lighting ideas and that means no Big Light! 'Creating the ideal ambience in a small bedroom involves strategically layering lighting to bring a harmony of warmth, cosiness and function,' says Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky. 'This is particularly important in a bedroom, as you will need a combination of task and ambient lighting solutions for relaxation, reading or getting dressed.'
5. Utilise alcoves to the max
Making the most of the space you have means being clever with those sometimes quirky spaces that you find in period properties. Alcove ideas are one such element that can be maxed out in small bedrooms.
6. Don't ignore wallpaper
It's often thought that wallpaper will make a small bedroom appear too 'busy' and therefore shouldn't be a design 'no', this couldn't be further from the truth.
7. Choose a bed that fits the space
The bed is the most important aspect of a small bedroom, and while large furniture can be a clever trick to make rooms look big. If you don't have the space, please don't opt for a king-size. If you can't walk around your bedroom without knocking your legs on the corners you're just going to get annoyed at the room. When working out what size bed will fit, plan to place the bed in the middle of the longest wall, in front of a window. This is generally the best position for a bed that is small in size. But if the room isn't wide enough for a bed you might need to flip the bed to rest against the shortest wall