Small bedroom? Big potential. These are the space-saving, style-elevating tricks and small bedroom decorating ideas hotel designers swear by—think wall-mounted lighting, headboards that multitask, and every inch earning its keep. I’ve lived the micro-apartment life and designed boutique hotel rooms that feel bigger than they are. I’m sharing everything I’ve learned to help your bedroom feel intentional, elevated, and way less cramped.
Small spaces test your creativity—and your patience. Know what I mean? Been there! I used to live in a 300-square-foot apartment in NYC—because nothing says “I’ve made it” like paying a premium to sleep next to your refrigerator. I threw my life savings into renting that shoebox that felt like the right sacrifice and rite of passage when you’re building a career you love. And my career? A true dream. By day, I designed the kind of luxurious hotel rooms where velvet headboards, custom millwork, and softly glowing sconces created worlds people never wanted to leave. By night, I retreated to my petite place, where the glamour was… let’s say, more conceptual (or let’s be honest: nonexistent).
Living at the crossroads of high-end hotel design and micro-living gave me a unique superpower: knowing exactly how to make a small room feel not just bigger, but beautifully elevated. You don’t need a suite-sized space to create a room that feels indulgent. You just need the right tricks—and hotels have all the best ones. Keep reading, and I’ll dish some of my favorite tips to maximize the style in your space.
Small Room, Smart Moves
We’ve all been there—a bedroom that barely fits the bed, let alone the vibe.
But here’s the thing: some of the best hotel rooms in the world are tiny. And yet they feel layered, calming, and expensive. That’s not magic—it’s design. And as a hotel designer, I can tell you it’s not about the square footage. It’s about how you use it.
Small spaces demand smarter moves. The kind that tricks the eye, stretches the room, and still leaves space for a little drama (the good kind). Whether you’re working with a shoebox studio or a guest room that’s long on charm but short on storage, these hotel-inspired tricks will help your bedroom feel bigger, better, and beautifully intentional.
Need a Little Design Assist?
Before we dive straight into the ideas, you might want to start here first. The Interior Design Starter Kit is one of my favorite resources.
It’s simple, fun, and helps you figure out three things every room needs:
- What you want it to feel like
- What’s working (and what’s not)
- And what style actually fits you
If you’ve ever felt stuck staring at your space and not knowing where to start, this will help.
7 Hotel Tricks That Make a Tiny Bedroom Feel Bigger (and Better)
You don’t need a renovation. You just need better design decisions. Here’s how to stretch your space without stretching your sanity, straight from someone who lived tiny and designed big.
These aren’t hacks. They’re the thoughtful, layered choices hotels use every day to turn limited square footage into something that feels polished and pulled together. And yes—you can absolutely steal them for your space.
1. Treat Your Walls Like Furniture
In a small room, your walls are furniture. Use them.
Mount your lighting—sconces, pendants, even task lamps—so your nightstands stay clear. Float those nightstands while you’re at it. Build your headboard wall-to-wall to create visual width, or floor-to-ceiling to draw the eye up.
Every vertical surface is an opportunity. The goal isn’t to add more stuff—it’s to design smarter with what’s already there.
2. If It Touches the Floor, It Better Earn Its Spot
Let your walls do the heavy lifting.
In small bedrooms (and hotel rooms), every inch counts. That’s why we mount everything we can. In a small room, your walls are furniture. Use them.
Lights? On the wall. Shelving? Floating. Nightstands? Lifted. Your floor space is sacred—save it for the bed and the occasional dramatic barefoot walk to the window.
Every vertical surface is an opportunity. The goal isn’t to add more stuff—it’s to design smarter with what’s already there.
3. Choose a Color and Commit Like It’s a Relationship
Want your small bedroom to feel bigger? Stop dating five paint samples. Pick one tone and commit.
In tight quarters, contrast can feel like clutter. That’s why one of the simplest ways to expand a space is to streamline the palette. The more unified your color palette, the calmer and larger your space will feel.
This is why hotels often lean into tonal palettes—think warm beiges, layered greys, or creamy whites across walls, bedding, and upholstery. When everything belongs to the same visual family, your eye doesn’t stop to process contrast. It just flows.
Pro tip: pick one color, then vary the texture. Linen, velvet, matte paint, soft knits—it keeps things interesting without adding chaos.
4. Mirrors: Because Sometimes You Just Need to Reflect
Mirrors are one of the oldest tricks in the design book—and still one of the best for small spaces. But the placement matters.
In hotel rooms, we often use one large mirror to reflect light, soften shadows, and double the perceived volume of the space.
Do:
- Lean a tall mirror in a corner for a boutique-hotel feel.
- Use mirrored closets if you’re short on light and square footage.
- Reflect natural light, not your laundry pile.
Don’t:
- Use anything with bevels from a strip mall frame shop.
- Hang multiple tiny mirrors like an exploded disco ball.
- Mirror an entire wall (unless you’re opening a gym or dance studio).
5. Float it Off the Floor
When floor space is limited, you have two options: fight for inches or design smarter.
Floating nightstands and wall-mounted shelves give you surface area without the visual weight. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a small room feel bigger—no renovation required.
You don’t need a custom build. Just rethink what actually needs to touch the floor—and what doesn’t. Bonus: your vacuum will thank you.
6. One Big Moment > A Bunch of Small Ones
The secret to a small room that still feels designed? Restraint—and a little bit of boldness.
Choose one standout element: a fabulous chandelier, a giant piece of artwork, a statement headboard. Then let the rest of the room play it cool.
One standout design element can do more than ten little accents ever will.
7. Layer Your Lighting
The fastest way to kill a vibe in a small room? That one sad ceiling light.
Hotels use layered lighting to set the mood: sconces, warm-glow lamps and even cove lighting behind the headboard. It’s what makes a room feel cozy and elevated, no matter the size. Layer your lighting like we do in hotels:
- A sconce by the bed for reading (and not knocking over your water glass)
- A soft-glow table lamp
- Maybe a picture light if you’re feeling fancy
Light creates space. Harsh lighting creates anxiety. Choose wisely.
Pro Tip: Make all your light bulbs 2700K for color temperature. Your room will look great…and so will you! 🙂
Your Room’s Not Small—It’s Just Holding Too Much Stuff
Let’s be honest: most small bedrooms don’t have a space problem—they have a stuff problem.
Edit ruthlessly, then hide what’s left:
- Drawers under the bed > random bins
- Nightstands with doors > those open-frame ones with wires showing
- Use vertical storage like your square footage depends on it (because it kinda does)
Clean room, clear head. Even better sleep. Edited and elevated.
Small Space, Big Impact
You don’t need more square footage—you just need better moves. Small bedrooms can still feel like big deals—with the right choices.
These are the exact design tricks we use in hotels to make small rooms feel elevated, intentional, and surprisingly spacious. And they work just as well at home.
All Your FAQ’s Answered About Small Bedroom Decorating Ideas:
How do you make a small bedroom feel bigger?
Use the same tricks hotels use. Mount your lighting, float your furniture, keep your color palette tight, and don’t underestimate a floor-to-ceiling headboard. I’ve designed luxury hotel rooms by day and lived in 300 square feet by night—so trust me, it’s not about space. It’s about smarter design.
What colors make a small bedroom look bigger?
It’s not the color you choose—it’s how you use it. A soft, tonal palette will always feel expansive and calm. But don’t write off dark walls. A rich charcoal or moody green can actually make a small space feel enveloping and luxe—if you keep the rest of the palette consistent and the lighting layered. It’s not about light vs. dark colors. It’s about cohesion. The worst thing for a small bedroom is visual clutter, so whether you go light and bright or rich and moody, let everything speak the same design language. That’s what makes it feel bigger and better.
What’s the best layout for a small bedroom?
One that uses every inch with intention. Float your nightstands, skip bulky furniture, and let the floor breathe. You can break “rules” (like centering the bed) if it opens up space. Hotels often prioritize what feels functional, not just symmetrical. Think like a hotel: every item earns its spot, and nothing is there “just because.”
What type of bed works best in a small room?
Think sleek, low-profile, and bonus points if it doubles as storage. But even more important? The headboard. One bold, upholstered or wall-wrapped moment can define the whole room—without taking up more space. This is one of my favorite bedroom design effects – and you can even do it in a rental. Intrigued? See my tips on how to pull off this luxe look here.
How can I style a small bedroom like a hotel room?
Less clutter, more curation. Hotels style with layers—lighting, texture, restraint—not with stuff. Pick one focal point (your bed, your art, or your drapery), and let the rest of the room support it. Hotels don’t clutter. They curate. You can too.
What are some space-saving ideas for small bedrooms?
Small bedrooms don’t need more stuff. They need better choices. Here are some ideas:
- Mount your lighting. Table lamps eat space. Sconces and pendants give it back.
- Float your nightstands. Or skip them entirely and use a slim ledge instead.
- Use under-bed storage that doesn’t look like “under-bed storage.” Think drawers or chic bins with actual lids.
- Get multifunctional. Benches with storage. Desks as vanities. Nightstands that close.
- Treat your walls like closets. Peg rails, hooks, ledges—styled right, they’re both useful and intentional.
Check out more of my stylish space-saving tips here in this blog post.
Style Your Space
The truth is, most hotel rooms aren’t huge. But they’re smart. Edited. Designed with intention. And that’s what makes them memorable.
So whether you’re working with a guest room, a shoebox apartment, or just tired of feeling cramped, these tricks will help you shift the vibe.
If you’re ready to style your space like a hotel room you actually want to stay in, my Styling Guide is a great next step. It’s full of the kind of layered, edited moves that make a room feel finished.
Where to Go From Here
If this post sparked ideas, I’ve got more where that came from.
Want to see these small-space design tricks in action?
The Civilian Hotel in NYC is one of my favorite examples of big style in a small space. It’s smart and full of clever details that make a tiny room feel intentional and indulgent.
→ Watch my Instagram Civilian hotel room tour here
If you’re into that vibe, you’ll love my full Aesthetic Guide to NYC — hotels, cafes, restaurants, and spaces that actually live up to the photos. No tourist traps, no beige chains. Just real inspiration in the wild.
Here are a few more tips from me to help you bring 5-star style into your bedroom:
→ Fabric-Wrapped Headboard Walls: My favorite detail to bring a quiet luxury, luxe look into your home.
→ 15 Stylish Space-Saving Solutions: Small bedroom? No problem. Here are my best tips to bring big bedroom style to a small space.
→ Shelf Styling Tips: How to style shelves in your bedroom. Because open storage only works if it looks good.
→ Throw Pillows: More Than Fluff: The difference between “schlumpy” and “styled.” All your need-to-know throw pillow styling ideas so you don’t overwhelm your bed.
