From small bedrooms to oddly shaped spaces, finding the right layout for your bedroom can be tricky. Thankfully, some design rules can help with curating a proper bedroom interior. Here are some bedroom layout ideas to best use your space.
Arrange furniture based on the room’s shape
The shape of your room will greatly impact your design and furniture layout. While many homeowners will often have a variety of layout options based on their space, some may find that the shape of their room limits them to only a few possibilities.
Here are some common bedroom shapes and the best layouts for them.
Traditional square room
If your room is a traditional square or rectangle, you’ll likely have a lot of freedom in your bedroom layout and design. Typically, it’s recommended to put the bed opposite the wall with the door or opposite the pathway from the door. You don’t want the bed to immediately interrupt the walking path of the room. Similarly, you should also avoid placing the bed right next to the bedroom door or entry point.
In a typical room, it’s best to place the bed perpendicular to the door or along the opposite wall of the room’s entry point. Most designers and homeowners also recommend centering the bed on a wall without windows. In smaller rooms, you may need to place the bed in a corner to save space.
Long rectangular room
If your bedroom is a longer rectangular shape, it can be difficult to properly fill the space for the best visual appeal. Placing the bed on one wall and the dresser on another can leave the room feeling empty.
Instead, we recommend centering your bed against the long wall, if possible. Add a sizeable dresser along the far short wall, and be sure to invest in bedside tables. You may also consider placing a vanity on the opposite wall the dresser is on if the space allows it. Depending on the door and closet placement, this layout could change.
L-shaped bedroom
Most L-shaped bedrooms have the bedroom door centered on the shorter stem of the “L.” Therefore, placing your bed along the longer section of the room is vital for a good flow. Place the bed opposite of the door or off to the side. If your bedroom has a small hallway leading into a larger space, place the bed on the wall opposite the hallway.
A dresser placed along the room’s longest wall near the entry point can help break up the larger space without interrupting the natural pathway.
Be mindful of doors and windows
Generally, you don’t want your bed placed right beside or in front of any windows. However, in some cases, this will be necessary. Placing your bed right up against a window can create some practical challenges, such as a window ledge impeding the bed or a headboard blocking the breeze in the summer.
It’s recommended that you place the headboard of your bed against a blank wall. A dresser in front of a window could be a better use of the space.
Consider feng shui
According to feng shui, you should place your bed facing south so that your head lays to the north. A dresser should be placed opposite the bed and not in the direct path of the door or entry point. You should also aim to place your bed against a solid wall to avoid interrupting the flow from windows and doors.
Place the bed first
Your bed is the largest piece of furniture in your bedroom. Therefore, placing it first and building the bedroom around this focal point is best. Once you know your bed’s location, work from the largest-sized items down to make the most of your space. For example, you’ll place your dresser and vanity before your nightstands.
Arranging furniture in a small bedroom
Small bedrooms present unique challenges when it comes to layout. You may be unable to place your bed on a blank wall or away from windows and doors. So, here are a few suggestions for tackling a small space.
Break design rules as needed
If your bedroom is too small to center your bed, know that you can break the design rules as needed. They are guidelines meant to help you find the proper layout but aren’t feasible for every homeowner. If your bed needs to go in the corner or beneath a window, that is alright.
Raise the furniture
Invest in raised furniture like hairpin legs or a raised bedframe to expose more of the floor if you can. Visually, this helps the room feel more expansive. It can also provide additional storage beneath your furniture.
As you lay out your bedroom, start with your largest items first and work your way down. Avoid placing your bed right beside doors or windows, and aim mirrors away from the bed if you can. Your bed is the focal point of the room, so try to center it and build the rest of the space around it.
