Bokel founder Chloe Stephens shares her favourite ways to upgrade even the smallest bedrooms. 

Image: @rachelducker

Scrolling on Pinterest, you've probably seen countless small bedrooms fitted with bespoke cabinetry, built-in beds, and perfectly designed storage. While it seems like the obvious route, we're here to tell you that you don't need to spend thousands of pounds to make a small bedroom work. 

Rather than striving for perfection, it's about taking a more relaxed, considered approach. Choosing pieces that sit well together, layering details with intention, and shaping a space around how you actually live. Small bedrooms, in particular, benefit from this way of thinking, where every choice feels purposeful without being overworked. The goal is to create a space you naturally want to retreat to at the end of the day, not one you close the door on and try to forget about.

1. Set the tone

Consider how the bedroom will be used and the ambience you want to create. With limited room for extra furniture, such as a reading chair, the bed naturally becomes the centrepiece, creating a space focused on relaxation. Do you want a calm sanctuary to unwind in after a busy day? Or are you drawn to something more bold and expressive, somewhere that energises you each morning? 

2. Be intentional

Decide early on how you will use each piece of furniture. If you opt for a chest of drawers, decide what you'll store in it. For example, do you need a single-wide drawer for underwear, or would a half-drawer be more practical? Similarly, think about how you'll use your bedside table. This will vary depending on your habits, whether you read, journal, wear glasses, enjoy aromatherapy, watch something on a tablet, or keep a hot drink nearby. Each of these needs a place, whether on the tabletop, in open storage, closed storage, or a mix of both. 

3. Keep the floor clear

Wall-mounted and tapered-leg bedroom furniture are game-changers for small bedrooms with limited space. Freeing up floor space can create the illusion of more space by adding visual lightness that won't overwhelm the space. By allowing light and air to flow under the furniture, the floor remains more visible, which tricks the eye into perceiving the room as larger and less crowded. Avoid furniture that sits too close to the floor, as it's likely your bed will already be doing this. Opt for a linen valance to soften the transition from the bed and the floor, and to hide underbed storage.

Image: @rachelducker featuring our Hamade Wall-Mounted Bedside

4. Think beyond standard furniture

Built-in cabin beds, nook beds and floor-to-ceiling storage always look great in glossy magazines and on social media, but bespoke joinery can quickly run into the thousands. A couple of years ago, I ambitiously attempted to DIY some alcove wardrobes, and it was far more challenging than the tutorials made it seem. As I write this, they are still sitting half-completed in my bedroom, a reminder that these projects are often more complex than they appear. 

That experience is exactly what inspired our Custom Design Service. It offers a more accessible alternative to fully bespoke furniture, allowing you to adapt Bokel Home furniture to suit your space perfectly. Add extra drawers to a chest, choose the exact dimensions for your bedside table, or wall-mount a small dressing table, all without the expense of hiring someone to bring your vision to life or finding the time and skill set to complete a full DIY project.

5. Experiment with paint 

Traditionally, white has been the go-to paint option for making a small room feel brighter and larger. Why not embrace the space by creating a cosy cocoon with something dark or bold? If that's not your thing, a cosy neutral is always a safe option. Two of my current favourites are And Breathe, and Duvet Day, both by Coat. If you still prefer white, Lick's White 03 has a soft yellow undertone, while White 06 carries a subtle pink hue that warms up beautifully as the sun sets, helping to avoid a sterile feel.

Small bedrooms can quickly feel overcrowded, and too much exposed wood furniture can easily overwhelm the space. If your bed, storage, and bedside tables are all wood, consider hand-painting a few pieces. Bokel Home furniture can be custom-made in a raw finish, making it easier for you to paint it yourself, or our team can hand-paint it in one of our custom finishes.

6. Try colour drenching

Colour drenching can look snug in small rooms and involves painting the walls, ceiling, and woodwork in the same colour. I'll admit I made the mistake of painting everything in a matte paint, and felt like all forms of life had been sucked from the room. To prevent your space from feeling flat, vary the finishes to create contrast. The easiest way to get it right is to use a matte finish on the walls and ceiling, and an eggshell finish on the woodwork. If you want to take it up a notch, add a gloss finish to the window frame.

Image: @matildabeaa colour drenched her walls and ceiling in a soft pink.

7. Repeat patterns

A few years ago, I saw @lucywilliamshome's renovation and was instantly inspired by her bold, spare room, featuring a whimsical leafy green wallpaper on both the ceiling and walls. More recently, I came across @emzchampion's home and loved how she transformed her small guest room. By choosing a softer, less busy leafy print and breaking it up with playful yellow panelling, she was able to adapt a similar look into a smaller space.

If you want to make a more subtle statement, add a bold headboard and a roman blind in matching prints. Overwhelmed by choice? Stripes work beautifully and are incredibly timeless and calming. Repeating the same pattern in a small bedroom helps reduce visual clutter and create a cohesive, layered look.

Image: @lucywilliamshome

Image: @emzchampion

8. Multi-purpose pieces 

Look for furniture that serves multiple purposes. Beds with built-in storage, or ones with enough space underneath for storage bags. A small chest of drawers that can also be styled as a bedside table, and, if you have room, a dressing table with storage that can also double as a desk.

Image: One customer styled our small Hamade Chest of Drawers as a bedside.

9. Layer textures & shapes

In a small bedroom, the bed becomes the main focus, making it the perfect place to layer and contrast different textiles. Layer a soft wool blanket or velvet quilt with fresh cotton bedding and patterned accent cushions, such as a long floral bolster. If you opt for crisp white bedding, don't shy away from frills, embroidery, or tie closures to add textural interest. 

Flowy cafe curtains can look incredibly chic, especially if paired with pleated curtains or a patterned roman blind. If you have old period doors or a large wardrobe door, add small decorative tassels and brass hardware that will naturally patina with age. All of these things take up limited space and help to make a small room much more visually interesting. 

In a similar vein, you can contrast furniture silhouettes. Opting for matching stains with different collections adds depth without feeling chaotic. 

10. Make it personal

Buying everything pre-designed can prevent you from creating a space that feels truly personal. The room may look complete, but it can feel static, with little sense of your own style or input. Adding personal touches can bring life to the bedroom and make it feel like yours rather than something off the shelf. 

Simple budget-friendly ideas include hand-painting photo frames in a stripe or star pattern, or mounting photographs and artwork onto coloured or patterned paper. These are fun, easy ways to add personality, especially in a small bedroom where surface space is limited. You can take it further by hand-painting furniture or upholstering a headboard yourself. If you'd prefer to save time, use our Custom Design Service by sending us a sketch of your idea, and we'll craft something truly one-of-a-kind.

While hiding unnecessary clutter is essential, a room that hides every sign of life can also feel stale. Painted trinkets, a ceramic diffuser, a stack of your favourite books, and artwork made by independent artists or sourced from a second-hand store can help liven the space, reflect you, and prevent the room from feeling like a showroom. Don't feel pressured to complete a room. Is there such a thing? Collecting furniture and homeware takes time and is a lifelong process.