18 Ideas To Make Your Bedroom Look Bigger

Your bedroom should be a place where you feel most comfortable, especially since you’ll be spending a lot of time there.

Let’s spend the next 8 minutes together exploring some practical and useful ways to make your compact bedroom look more spacious, so you can enjoy a super comfy 8-hour sleep in it.

1. Pay Attention to the Ceiling

You should pay more attention to your bedroom’s ceiling.

In a low-ceiling room, you can’t make the ceiling any higher, but you can make it look higher.

For example, in this bedroom, a layer of lacquer was painted on the ceiling, and it lifted the whole room.

The glossy finish reflects light, making the space feel bigger and more open.

2. Use Light Colors

Lighter shades like soft whites, pastels, or light grays can make a room feel more open and airy.

To make your bedroom feel bigger, consider using light colors on your walls.

My personal favorites are white, light blue, warm neutrals, or soft green. These shades not only brighten the room but also create the illusion of more space.

If you prefer not to paint the walls white, leave the ceiling white instead.

This gives your eyes a place to rest when you look around the room, helping to open up the space even more.

3. Consider Dark Colors

Many people believe that dark colors make a space feel smaller, but that’s not always the case.

In fact, with the right color choice and technique, dark colors can actually make a small room feel larger.

One such technique is to balance dark colors with lighter surfaces.

For instance, if you’re painting the walls and ceiling dark green, the ceiling should be in a lighter tone to prevent the room from feeling closed in.

Also, sticking to a cohesive color palette helps.

Dark tones like deep blues, greens, or charcoal, paired with lighter variations of the same shade, can create a unified and open feel in the space.

4. Use Sliding Door

A traditional door that opens inward takes up valuable space in the corner of your room, and it can be difficult to fully utilize that valuable space.

Installing a sliding door solves this issue, as it slides to the side rather than swinging open.

This way, you can place a lamp, chair, or any other furniture in the corner and make better use of the area.

For instance, a barn door saves lots of space and it’s the best match if you want a modern farmhouse or an industrial look for your room.

5. Choose a Simple Headboard

As cozy as they may seem, bulky, fluffy headboards take up more space than you might realize.

If you still want to keep them for aesthetic reasons, consider opting for lighter materials like wicker or rattan—these have a sleek and minimal design that won’t overwhelm your space.

6. Add Full-Length Mirrors

Mirrors can transform a bedroom, especially if you want to make it feel more open and breezy.

But don’t install too many mirrors,  you don’t want to walk into your bedroom and feel like you just entered a dance studio!

One thing I always do is avoid mirrors that directly face the bed (maybe because I’m Asian), but think about it, a mirror facing the bed can disrupt sleep, especially if you’re sensitive to light.

Even in a dark room, any light reflecting off the mirror may cause discomfort and make it harder to fall or stay asleep.

Instead, placing the mirror at an angle or in a corner works wonders, keeping the room balanced without accidentally knocking into it.

7. Choose Furniture with Exposed Legs

I know many of you love those overstuffed, legless sofas, like bean bags, that let you sink right in—I love them too!

However, they can make a small room feel overcrowded. Instead, maybe you need to consider more simple, streamlined pieces.

Furniture like sofas, chairs, and beds with visible legs creates a sense of openness, allowing light to flow through and making the room feel less cramped.

8. Install Floating Shelves

Wall-mounted shelves keep the floor clear while offering storage, and they draw the eye upward, making the ceiling feel higher.

However, since they’re more exposed, they tend to collect dust more easily, so a quick cleanup every weekend might be necessary.

9. Go for Minimalist Bedding

Keeping your bedding minimalist can truly transform your bedroom into a more open and calming space.

Often, less is more when it comes to patterns, as it keeps the room feeling organized.

For example, if you already have plaid curtains, layering a floral blanket and butterfly bedding together can overwhelm the space.

Instead, stick to one pattern to maintain harmony and avoid making the room feel too busy.

10. Use Vertical Storage

I’m talking about built-in storage on top of your bed or floor-to-ceiling cabinets for storage, they’re especially helpful if you’re planning to remodel your room.

However, if you’re renting and just want to make the most of the space on top of your dresser, I suggest looking for storage boxes with lids.

These are perfect for stashing seasonal clothes or extra bedding sheets, helping you keep the room tidy without needing a major renovation.

11. Use Multi-functional Furniture

Furniture that serves multiple purposes, like a bed with built-in storage, can help save space and reduce clutter.

For example, I have a wall-mounted vanity desk that can easily double as a nightstand, offering both functionality and space-saving convenience.

These versatile pieces make it easier to keep your room organized while maximizing your available space.

12. Choose a Low Bed Frame

A low bed frame really opens up the room, as it’s closer to the ground which creates more headroom, making the ceiling feel higher and the room more spacious.

You may want a low headboard and a simple, clean design to enhance the open feel.

13. Use Rugs to Define Space

Strategically placed rugs can work wonders in making a room feel larger by creating visual boundaries.

Rugs help “zone” your furniture, separating different areas and giving each part of the room its purpose.

This not only makes the space look more organized but also adds a sense of structure, which can make the room feel tidier and airier.

14. Incorporate Built-In Storage

If possible, integrate built-in storage solutions like under-the-bed drawers to minimize the need for bulky dressers or nightstands.

I usually store my drapes or extra bed sheets in the drawer under the bed.

If you’re considering getting one, I recommend choosing a design with wheels to make moving it around easier.

15. Hang Curtains Higher Than the Windows

Normally I would just simply hang a curtain right where the window frame is, but for a smaller room, I suggest hanging curtain rods closer to the ceiling, higher than the window.

It draws the eye upwards, making the room feel taller and bigger.

I’m also suggesting using light colors to maximize the vertical length.

Oh, and remember to add a few plants for a pop of green—they bring life to the space without overcrowding it.

16. Maximize Natural Light

I’ve never felt worse than in a room without natural light. No one should live in a bedroom without it!

Keep windows clear of heavy drapes and use sheer curtains to let sunlight in, making the room feel brighter and more spacious.

You can also use a combination of overhead lights, task lighting, and ambient lights to mimic natural light. Soft white or daylight bulbs can help create a warmer, more inviting space.

17. Look for Transparent Furniture

Though it takes the same space, transparent furniture generates an optical illusion that fools the eye into thinking a place is larger than it really is.

By not blocking sightlines, acrylic seats or glass-top tables let a room seem less crowded and more airy.

18. Declutter Regularly

Here’s a pro tip you can apply to every room in your house: clean up and declutter weekly by getting rid of things you no longer need.

This includes tossing out those paper bags from your last shopping trip and the phone packaging you don’t need anymore after taking out the device.

Keeping surfaces clean and reducing clutter can make a small bedroom feel much larger by eliminating visual distractions.