tiny space, awesome bedroom

If you're a college dormer, or if you're renting your quarters, or if you simply have a fate similar to mine, chances are you've never had a real huge space for your bedroom.

Photo from Apartment Therapy

I personally love tiny bedrooms -- they have this cozy, personal feel to it. That is, if they're organized and designed well.

Here are five super-easy yet effective tricks from the interior design mavens at Apartment Therapy to make the most out of that small space.

• Add One Punch Of Pattern. Keep everything simple but add a colorful headboard, some wallpaper behind the bed, a great patterned duvet or a fun rug. Instead of trying to layer the whole room just keep it simple.

• Pack in Storage. If you just won't ever be the minimal type but are stuck with a tiny closet for a bedroom, add storage in concentrated areas by adding a bookcase behind the bed. It will add pattern and texture to your room and you won't have to look at it while you're falling asleep. If you live in earthquake country, though, either make sure it's bolted to the wall and books won't fall on you or put the bookshelf on another wall!

• Go Dark. Painting the room a darker color is counter-intuitive, but the dark grey we chose makes the room feel like its own world. And since it already gets great light we don't have to worry about it feeling too dark. We paired the dark walls with crisp white sheets so that the bed becomes the focal point and it's all about relaxing.

• Have a Great Bed. Why not forgo all other pieces of furniture and just invest in a beautiful bed that fills up the room and speaks for itself.

• Lighting. Even if space is at a premium, mount lights to the walls, have an uplight but make sure you've got more than one bulb (on the ceiling) otherwise no one is going to look good.


I absolutely love these tips, especially the ones about pattern and lighting. In fact, I'm trying it out in my room now. You? Let me know how yours turn out! :)