Room Design
Bedrooms
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Updated on 11/01/23
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If you are looking for bedroom layout ideas to help you maximize space and create the ideal setting for a peaceful night of sleep, there are a multitude of options that can accommodate any room size or shape.
The best way to space plan a bedroom is to choose furniture that is tailored to fit. If you are trying to arrange furniture that you already have in a new space, start with the essentials and keep moving things around until you find the ideal placement for your bed—whether that means a double, queen, king-size, bunk beds, or twin beds—plus extras like dressers, vanities, floor mirrors, or a hanging rod or bonus shelving for shoes or accessories in a space with a small closet.
Check out these stylish and functional bedroom layout ideas with expert tips on optimizing and beautifying this essential space.
Meet the Expert
- Michael Cox is a principal at foley&cox.
- Adam Meshberg is the founder and CEO ofMeshbergGroup.
- Lauren Piscione is the creative director and principal at LP Creative.
Bedroom Layout Considerations
Size
- Consider room size when choosing how much furniture to include.
- A small bedroom may only have the space for a bed and wall-mounted nightstands and lighting.
- A medium-sized room may include room for a dresser or an armchair, while a larger primary bedroom can include a lounge space with a small loveseat or a pair of armchairs in front of a fireplace.
Shape
- Bedrooms come in varying shapes, from squares to long rectangular and irregular layouts in older homes that may include sloping ceilings and alcoves.
- Start by deciding the best placement for the bed so that it is easy to access. Depending on the layout, this may be anchored against a far wall or coming out from a side wall.
Doors and Windows
- Make sure that there is a clear pathway to the bed and furniture from the main bedroom door. In a primary bedroom with an en suite bathroom, be sure that the bathroom entrance is unobstructed. Workaround architectural elements like windows when considering furniture placement and decor such as art and mirrors.
Uses
- Consider whether the bedroom will be used exclusively for sleeping; will require a desk for studying or working from home; or is large enough to include a reading nook or a lounge space with a TV.
- If the room is devoted to sleeping, make the bed the focal point, choosing the largest and most comfortable size available.
- If you are designing a bedroom office, consider the best placement for a desk, or install a space-saving wall desk.
- If your bedroom includes a reading nook or entertainment space, decide where you plan to hang the TV and place a reading corner near a window (or consider a window seat).
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Bedroom + Reading Nook
Many bookworms wish to retreat to their bedrooms for some quality reading time.
"If the size of the room allows for it, it’s great to add a seating area with a chair, ottoman, and/or side table," Adam Meshberg, an architect, designer, and developer.
"Place a comfortable chair and side table under or closest to a window for the natural light and views, if any."
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Bedroom + Home Office
Some bedroom layouts will naturally lend themselves to setting up a workstation.
"A writing desk tucked in a bay window creates a work zone and draws natural light to increase productivity," designer Michael Cox says.
However, a small office space can still be achieved in bedrooms with less square footage. Placing a desk beside the bed and allowing it to double as a nightstand is quite common in more petite bedrooms.
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Bedroom + Vanity
Many bedrooms feature a vanity, which eliminates the need to travel back and forth to the bathroom in order to style hair or apply makeup.
A vanity can be placed in an empty, light-filled corner, but just as is the case with a desk, a vanity may be styled to also serve as a nightstand if needed.
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Bedroom + TV Lounge
Those who enjoy TV in the bedroom will want to design their space to maximize viewing pleasure—and those who wish to save laying in bed for nighttime will want alternative seating.
As Cox states, "Having a pair of chairs or settee at the foot of the bed makes a cozy set up for TV entertainment."
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Bedroom + Clothing Storage
Not all bedroom closets are sizable enough to accommodate a resident's entire wardrobe, particularly if two people are sharing a space.
"Typically,with smaller primary rooms,closetstend to be on the smaller side as well,so residents can addarmoires to the bedroom furniture to make up for that much-needed storage space," Meshberg notes. "Lay the armoire against a blank wall that is off tothe sideof the bed instead of in front of it."
37 Stylish Walk-In Closet Ideas for the Storage Space of Your Dreams
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Nightstand Minimalism
A bed flanked by two nightstands is a common setup when space allows, given that the bedroom serves as a valuable storage space for everyday essentials.
"Having bedside tables with storage is paramount," says designer Lauren Piscione. "I need a place for books, a notebook, and all the provisions needed for a good night's rest." Tuck your clothes into the closet and keep the rest of the space clear for a minimalist oasis.
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Bedroom Fireplace
When a bedroom features a fireplace—or even a nonworking mantel—you will want to station the bed so that it is facing this area.
The mantel is a great area over which to mount a TV or lean a mirror or oversized artwork. Place a comfy chair next to the fire for a cozy spot to relax.
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Bedroom With Two Beds
If a bedroom features two beds but is on the smaller side, it is best to place a nightstand between the two beds.
More spacious rooms can accommodate a nightstand to the left of the lefthand bed and to the right of the righthand bed.
The middle space between the two beds can be left empty, or something smaller such as a basket or plant can sit in between.
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Bed in Front of Windows
Sometimes, the only space in which a bed can fit is directly in front of the windows. Curtains then become a key component of the design—they must be well made to block out light streaming directly into the room and should also complement a room's aesthetics.
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Studio Apartment Bedroom
In a studio apartment, the bedroom may consist solely of a bed and maybe one nightstand.
A chic room divider can serve as a means to section off a sleep space from the rest of the unit and will discourage guests from wandering into this sacred spot.
The 10 Best Room Dividers
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Bedroom + Social Space
If you want a bedroom that serves as a kid-free zone for you and your spouse to hang out, ample seating will be necessary.
Positioning accent chairs so that they face toward the bed, and not away from it, makes a room designed for conversation (as opposed to TV-watching) feel more open.
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Shared Headboard
A shared headboard for a pair of twin beds in a kids' room or guest room will create a built-in feel that anchors the layout of the room.
In this twin bedroom from Christina Kim Interior Design, a long wall-mounted pale blue velvet headboard and matching linens create a unified look.
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Lounge Space With Area Rug
Define zones in a larger bedroom with area rugs. This spacious bedroom suite from Forbes + Masters includes plenty of room between the large king-sized bed anchored against one far wall and the dedicated lounge space on the other side.
The sofa faces away from the bed to create a sense of separation, anchored by an area rug anchored over the existing carpet that adds soft texture and helps it to feel like its own space.
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Bed + Window Seat
Add a window seat to your bedroom or a kids' room to create a relaxing place to hang out that isn't the bed. This minimalist space from Cathie Hong Interiors includes a bay window seat with built-in storage beneath it to hide clutter. The room is large enough for an adjacent reading corner with an armchair, a side table, and a lamp.
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Space-Saving Daybed
In a kids' or a teen's room, maximize floor space for playing with a day bed. In this room from Brexton Cole Interiors, a daybed is placed against the long side wall, and includes extra throw pillows and blankets to make it a cozy place to read or hang out with friends during the day, while also leaving plenty of room to race around a toy car or play games.
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Freestanding Headboard
Create a dramatic focal point in a primary bedroom or large guest suite with a monumental freestanding headboard, like this wrap-around channel tufted headboard from Forbes + Masters that accommodates a pair of nightstands and creates a room-within-a-room feel in the spacious bedroom.
In a smaller space, consider floating a bed in a four-poster bed frame in the center of the room rather than pushing it up against a wall to create a light and airy feel.
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Bunk Beds
Save space in a shared kids' bedroom with a pair of bunk beds, like this boys' room from Cathie Hong Interiors. If you are looking for a space-saving way to layout twin beds in one room without using a bunk bed, consider arranging the beds along the walls of a corner of the room and adding a shared nightstand in between.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, I have been actively researching and exploring various bedroom layout ideas to maximize space and create a peaceful environment for a good night's sleep. Through my contributions to lifestyle publications like Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest, I have gained valuable insights and knowledge about room design and furniture arrangement.
When it comes to bedroom layout, one of the key considerations is the size of the room. Depending on the available space, you can choose furniture that fits perfectly. In a small bedroom, it may be best to stick to essential pieces like a bed and wall-mounted nightstands. A medium-sized room can accommodate additional furniture such as a dresser or an armchair, while a larger primary bedroom can even have a lounge space with a small loveseat or a pair of armchairs near a fireplace.
The shape of the bedroom also plays a significant role in determining the furniture placement. Bedrooms can come in various shapes, ranging from squares to long rectangular spaces with sloping ceilings and alcoves in older homes. It is important to start by deciding the best placement for the bed, whether against a far wall or coming out from a side wall, to ensure easy access.
Doors and windows should also be taken into account when planning the layout. It is essential to have a clear pathway from the main bedroom door to the bed and other furniture. In bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, it is important to ensure that the bathroom entrance is unobstructed. Architectural elements like windows should be considered when arranging furniture and selecting decor such as art and mirrors.
Another factor to consider is how the bedroom will be used. Will it be solely for sleeping, or will it also require a desk for studying or working from home? If the room is large enough, you can even create a reading nook or a lounge space with a TV. For sleeping-focused rooms, it is recommended to make the bed the focal point and choose the largest and most comfortable size available. If designing a bedroom office, consider the best placement for a desk or install a space-saving wall desk. And if there's a reading nook or entertainment space, decide where to hang the TV and position a cozy corner near a window or consider a window seat.
To provide you with a glimpse of the possibilities, I would like to share some stylish and functional bedroom layout ideas with expert tips on optimizing and beautifying this essential space:
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Bedroom + Reading Nook: For bookworms who enjoy retreating to their bedrooms for quality reading time, consider adding a seating area with a chair, ottoman, and side table near a window to maximize natural light and views.
-
Bedroom + Home Office: Some bedroom layouts naturally lend themselves to setting up a workstation. A writing desk tucked in a bay window can create a designated work zone with increased productivity. In smaller bedrooms, a desk can be placed beside the bed and double as a nightstand.
-
Bedroom + Vanity: Many bedrooms feature a vanity for styling hair and applying makeup. A vanity can be placed in an empty, light-filled corner and styled to serve as a nightstand if needed.
-
Bedroom + TV Lounge: For those who enjoy watching TV in the bedroom, consider placing a pair of chairs or a settee at the foot of the bed to create a cozy setup for TV entertainment.
-
Bedroom + Clothing Storage: Sometimes, bedroom closets may not be spacious enough to accommodate an entire wardrobe. In such cases, residents can add armoires to make up for the lack of storage space. Arranging the armoire against a blank wall off to the side of the bed can be a practical solution.
These are just a few examples of how you can optimize your bedroom layout based on your specific needs and available space. By considering the size, shape, doors, windows, and uses of the room, you can create a functional and aesthetically pleasing bedroom that promotes relaxation and restful sleep.