Finding design-savvy ways to magically create extra storage space in a tiny bedroom isn’t always easy. While unsightly over-the-door organizers and bulky dressers are always an option (if you squeeze them in), it pays to use your imagination and get creative when coming up with stylish storage ideas.
To help make your life a little easier (and a whole lot more organized), we rounded up 30 of our favorite small bedroom storage and design solutions. From wall-mounted shelves to swing arm sconces, these clever ideas are all designed to maximize a storage-deprived space — no matter how little square footage you’re working with.
1. Go with a Ghost Chair
The greatest thing about Ghost chairs—a.k.a. clear acrylic ones—is that visually, they are so light, you barely see them (i.e. less visual clutter). Not only are they super stylish—they won’t further cramp up your tiny bedroom.
2. Floating Shelves
Turn even the tightest bedroom corner into a streamlined storage display with nothing more than a few wall-mounted floating shelves.
3. Work a Room Divider
Don’t technically have a separate bedroom? A bookcase that doubles as a room divider can work wonders for a cramped studio. It’ll designate your sleeping space, but also the space between your books and decor is enough to let light stream in.
4. Consider Hanging Racks
Hanging garment racks are a clever way to score more closet storage (or create a closet out of nowhere) without taking up an inch of floor space. A dresser underneath creates the perfect dressing area.
5. Consider a Swing Arm Sconce
If you’ve been searching for a stylish way to bring more lighting into your cramped bedroom (without taking up too much space), consider swing-arm wall sconces. Not only are they much less bulky than most table lamps and pendants, these wall-mounted wonders are designed with adjustable arms for a more space-savvy lighting solution.
6. Leaning Layered Art Looks Good
If you’re an art lover but lacking the space to show off your treasured works in your bedroom, a shelf or nightstand layered with framed art can make a big impact without wasting any space.
7. Get Creative With Shelving
When every bit of wall space counts, why not try shelving that doubles as art? A cool hanging shelf allows you to store (and show off) your favorite trinkets and display your beloved baubles, and won’t take up an inch of floor space.
8. Accessorize Away
When you don’t have the room for large-scale bedroom furnishings, consider going big with your decor—think: bold throw pillows, colorful art, and layered textiles.
9. Floating Desk
Who says you need a big bedroom to create your own workspace? A wall-mounted shelf beautifully doubles as a personal desk and mounts directly to your wall for added efficiency.
10. Consider a Modern Murphy Bed
Forget your grandmother’s Murphy bed. A foldout bedframe—like this one in Daniel’s NYC studio—is a clever way to conceal bulky furniture in your tiny apartment space.
11. Houseplants Work Wonders
You don’t always need two nightstands, especially if you’re sleeping alone. Just add plants. It’ll bring fast style to your bedroom without the need for a bulky piece of furniture and will help clean your air, too. Win, win!
12. Try Nesting Tables Instead of Nightstands
Place a pair of nesting tables next to your bed instead of a traditional nightstand and you can instantly create more storage room for when you might need it without bringing in more furniture to do the job (plus, bonus points, you can use the empty space underneath the tables for even more storage in baskets or crates).
13. Daybeds Aren’t Just for Kids
If you thought daybeds were just for kids then think again. Along with offering a more compact bed frame, some versions come with built-in drawers for more storage. They’re also great for doubling as a sofa.
14. Don’t Overlook the Foot of Your Bed
Putting a storage bench, baskets or even crates at the foot of your bed is a smart way to squeeze in more of whatever you need. This typically only takes up about a foot of space but the payoff is invaluable.
15. Hanging Lights
Looking for a stylish way to bring more lighting into your bedroom without further cramping the space? A pendant light, or any hanging light for that matter, instantly brightens up a room and doesn’t require an inch of table or floor space.
16. Devise a Desk Vanity
Dealing with a dreaded small space double whammy (i.e. a tiny bedroom and bathroom)? Turn a super slim desk setup in your bedroom into a vanity with nothing more than a wall mirror.
17. Create Vertical Storage
Ask any New Yorker, or small space dweller for that matter, how they pack in more storage room in their tiny apartments and they’ll say the same thing: think vertically. Whether with wall-mounted shelves or suspended lights, you can always build up when you run out of eye-level storage room.
18. Bare White Walls
You can always count on clean white walls to really brighten and open up a cramped bedroom (particularly one that gets good natural light).
19. Make it Happen with a Side Table
Sometimes all you need next to your bed is a small table to hold a glass of water and your alarm/cellphone. A thin pedestal table is perfect for placing bedside miscellany without adding more clutter in a room with larger furnishings.
20. Leaning Ladders Matter
There is a part of this bedroom that’s perfect to borrow inspiration from for a far tighter space: a slim leaning ladder. These clever pieces allow you to hang up your purses and scarves (and other accessories) in style, no hammer and nails necessary.
