When I moved to New York, I knew I’d be moving into a space smaller than the one I was living in back home in New Orleans. However, I didn’t know just how small my new room would be. The exact measurements of my room is 6.5 x 11.1, so I don’t have a lot to work with, but I can work wonders when it comes to arranging and organizing a room. I made some mistakes when I first settled into my new space, but I’ve worked out the kinks and now my room is my sanctuary, just as my old room was in New Orleans. Read on for my top tips for decorating a small bedroom.
Shop Small Bedroom Decor
Don’t use miniature furniture
I know that it can seem like buying smaller furniture for a small room makes the most sense, but it doesn’t. When I first moved to New York, I bought a twin sized bed because I thought it would make my room seem bigger and it actually emphasized the smallness. I traded out the twin for a full sized bed a few months later, and my room actually looks like a normal-sized room because of the normal-sized furniture.
Do use furniture that doubles as storage
If you watched my New York Room Tour video, then you saw that I use furniture that doubles as storage. I have a bed that has 2 drawers on each side that holds my clothing as well as sheetings and other miscellaneous things. I don’t have enough space for a dresser, so the under the bed storage is perfect! I also use a bookcase (that doubles as a TV stand) to store bins that hold my hair care, electronics, and other not so pretty things, and also display books, skincare, and makeup.
My skincare on display on the bookcase/TV stand
Don’t use tall furniture
You know that TV stand/bookcase that I mentioned? I originally had it where it stood vertically, so that it was taller than everything in my room. The ceilings in the room aren’t that tall, so this actually cut the room in half. When I switched to a full-sized bed, I also turned the bookcase on it’s side, so that it is horizontal and placed my tv on top. Now, the tv is eye height and there is still room on the surface of the bookcase to display my trinkets.
Do use Surfaces
If you are lucky enough to have a spare piece of surface area, use it to display some pieces that show your personal style. For example, next to my tv on the bookcase, I have a few of my favorite coffee table books, a diptyque candle, some pretty perfume bottles, and a small potted cactus plant. Beside my bed, sitting on the storage drawers that holds my beauty products, jewelry, and personal care items, I have more coffee table books, my DSLR camera, and my Fujifilm Instax mini. I also use my window sill to store my books and magazines.
Do use Shelving
If you don’t have a surface area, and you have the wall space, use shelving to display and store your trinkets. I use command hooks to hang up things that I use often, like hats & scarves. But remember to keep the wall hangings to a minimal. You don’t want your walls to look cluttered.
Do go for lighter tones
When choosing your beddings and furniture, go for lighter shades. I find that rooms decorated in lighter tones look more open and airer. There are so many pictures on pinterest and tumblr that prove this. I originally had a white duvet cover but white attracts dirt, and since I spend 99.9% of my time in my room whenever I’m home, there were bound to be some incidents. I switched to a gray duvet cover and my room still looks minimal and open.
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