Every inch of space counts when working with a small bedroom. The right bed frame can make a huge difference in maximising floor space and freeing up visual space. Certain styles are better fits for compact bedrooms than others.
Consider divan beds and ottoman beds
A divan or ottoman bed is the best bed frame for a small bedroom. With these styles, the base consists of a platform topped with a mattress. No protruding side rails or footboards extend beyond the mattress's edge.
The beauty of divans and ottomans is you can usually fit a king-size bed into a double room because the base is sometimes no larger than a standard double frame.
Divans with drawers and ottomans contain handy built-in storage space. Drawers built into the base are perfect for tucking away extra linens and off-season clothing—no need for bulky dressers or chests hogging up the limited floor area.
Lower beds make rooms look larger and less crowded. A bed frame 6 to 12 inches off the floor contributes to a sleek, modern aesthetic.
For example, the Shed Beds Tokyo (available in Gunpowder and Light Oak) takes this to the extreme, sitting only a few inches off the floor.
Pictured: Shed Beds Tokyo 5FT Kingsize Bed Frame - Gunpowder
You can also get low-profile ottoman and divan beds, although the lower the bed frame, the less storage space you get.
Choose a bed with a slimline silhouette
You want the furnishings to take up as little visual real estate as possible in a small space. Bulky, ornate bed frames with many melded details or four tall bedposts crammed into the corners can make your bedroom even more cramped.
Instead, look for bed frames with a streamlined silhouette, such as the Birlea Croxley with its beautiful Scandi-style frame.
Platform beds sit close to the floor, sometimes without legs at all. Panel beds have flat headboards and footboards instead of bulky ornamentation.
Skip unneeded features that eat up space
It's tempting to add accents like cushioned headboards, footboards, and side rails to dress up a bed frame. But in a small bedroom, these features take up valuable real estate.
Look for unadorned panel bed frames with smooth, flat surfaces. A simple wooden headboard is attractive without overpowering your room. For a softer look, add removable cushions or an upholstered headboard panel.
When furnishing a compact bedroom, sometimes downsizing to a thinner mattress is necessary to maximise visual space.
For example, a mattress up to 25cm thick is perfect for small bedrooms, giving you access to hybrid and pocket spring technologies.
Arrange your bedroom creatively to maximise space
Get creative with bed placement to carve out as much floor space as possible. Corner placements can save room compared to centering the bed on a wall, although this will only suit some bedroom layouts (especially rectangular bedrooms).
Floating the bed away from the walls also helps, as long as at least one side is accessible – you need around 40cm around the bed to walk around it.
Resist the urge to jam in bulky dressers or nightstands. Choose wall-mounted shelves and sconces instead. Multi-purpose ottomans can serve as seating and storage. The goal is to keep walking paths open and clutter under control.
For small bedrooms, choose space-saving bed frames like divans and ottomans with built-in storage and low-profile, slimline silhouettes to visually open your room.
Skip bulky ornamentation and unnecessary features and get a thinner mattress or lower bed to maximise visual space. Get creative with placement, floating the bed away from walls. Use wall-mounted storage and multi-purpose furniture instead of bulky dressers. Remember – small bedrooms are perfectly workable with a little planning.
