What are the Best Beds for Small Rooms?
Author: Jonathan Warren
TV adverts marketing new beds often picture huge sprawling mattresses with people jumping onto an inviting looking bed frame. But what should you look for if space is at a premium? Not all of us have rooms, or even homes, big enough to accommodate a king size bed so it's time to think small and to think smart in order to maximise your floor space without compromising on quality when it comes to choosing a new bed.
A small room is one considered to be small in size. For bedrooms, the space would be viewed as small if it could not fit in essential furniture (such as a bed and a wardrobe) and have extra space leftover for other needs (such as desks, drawers and dressing tables). In order to make the most out of small bedrooms then, it is vital that space is maximised, storage solutions are found and the best bed for small rooms is chosen.
In this blog, we've taken a look at some key considerations to keep in mind when you are looking for the perfect bed for a small room.
Factors to consider when choosing beds for small rooms
When choosing beds for small rooms, you’ll often need to get a little clever to get the best bang for your buck. Map out your space to see how much room you can afford to give to the bed frame and then get brainstorming. From multifunctional furniture with storage and hidden beds, to maximising floorspace and ensuring you choose the right bed size, here are some crucial things to consider.
Storage options
Small bedrooms can often mean your choices are limited regarding storage space. So why not choose a bed with storage options to solve the problem? At Time4Sleep, we have a huge range of storage beds from ottomans to divan beds, all of which house clever storage solutions within their frame to give you plenty of storage options without eating into extra floor space with additional furniture.
Maximising floorspace
Small rooms love pieces of multifunctional bedroom furniture that don’t eat into its space. Whether that be storage beds as mentioned above, trundle beds with a hidden extra sleeping space or even a mid sleeper or high sleeper bed for kids rooms with deskspace tucked neatly beneath. If you can’t build wide, build high!
Choosing the right bed size
As much as you might want a bed with never ending dimensions, sometimes you’ve got to be a realist! The best beds for small rooms are the ones that fit snugly in the space with room to spare for a bit of storage and space to move around. So, if your small guest room will only have one person sleeping in there, opt for a comfy single bed; and if two people are sleeping in the space, size up to a double if you have the room. Check out our Bed Size Guide for some handy hints and tips.
Stylish look and design
No matter which bed option you go for, at Time4Sleep we have hundreds of styles to choose from to suit your space. From wooden frames to metal beds, upholstered headboards and so much more, you’ll be spoilt for choice! So, before you get carried away, consider your pre-existing bedroom design and what will complement it to help guide your decision.
Storage options for beds in small rooms
Once you’ve figured out how much room you can lend to your new bed in your small bedroom, it’s time to make the most out of it. The best way to do this is undoubtedly with a storage bed. Here are a few of our favourites.
Ottoman Beds
Perfect for increasing storage in any space big or small, ottoman beds house a discreet underbed storage space which is revealed by simply lifting the frame of the bed. From single ottoman beds perfect for smaller rooms, to super king options, our ottoman beds at Time4Sleep are available in a wide array of sizes, colours and finishes to suit you.
Cabin Beds
Ideal for small childrens rooms, a cabin bed provides a frame with in-built storage options such as drawers, shelves and cupboards. With these beds you can worry less about where to fit an extra chest of drawers and instead pop your little one’s books and toys into the cabin bed’s storage instead – result!
Divan Beds
Divan beds are fantastic for small bedrooms as not only do they come in all sizes, colours and designs, but they also provide brilliant storage solutions. To help you tidy away any clutter and boost your storage potential, then why not buy a divan bed with storage drawers? The drawers will help to give you extra storage space in your bedroom and are also easy to access when needed. Our divan bed bases are available with 1 to 4 drawers or ottoman storage options too.
Beds sizes suitable for small rooms
Let’s face it, that super king size bed may look glorious on paper but in a room that’s too small it will look chunky, out of place, leave no floor space and restrict airflow. So, the best bed sizes for small rooms tend to be on the smaller end of the scale for good reason.
But just because single beds, small double beds and double beds are the best options for smaller rooms, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style or comfort one bit! Our smaller frames are just as sturdy and luxurious as our bigger ones.
Check out our Bed Size Guide to find out dimensions of UK frames and visualise how they might look in your smaller space. We’d recommend taping out the area in masking tape on the floor for a real idea and to help you figure out whether you need to size down or up.
Sharing a small room with siblings
Sharing a bedroom with your brother and sister can be testing at the best of times, and this normally comes down to siblings feeling as though they’re on top of each other 24/7. All kids need their own space to thrive and grow – even in a small bedroom!
Bunk Beds
Bunk beds are a convenient, space-saving way to get two beds in one in a small room while taking up half of the floor space. Not only do they give each child a distinct sleeping space, but many of our bunk bed frames come with extra storage solutions, such as drawers and wardrobes, to help keep your children's room clean and tidy.
Trundle Beds
Another great option for a room with siblings sharing is a trundle bed. With a trundle bed, the underbed can be simply wheeled out on the easy glide casters to accommodate an extra sleeping space and rolled away when not in use for extra space for games and learning.
Separate Sleep Zones
As your young children get older, it’s really important they have their own sleep space if they’re sharing a small room. If bunk beds aren’t an option, establishing separate sleeping zones is a great idea. Two cabin beds with distinct bedding will do the trick, or you could even make use of free standing room dividers, fabric screens and more. Obviously this all needs to work in harmony with your small room without making it look too cramped so be sure to measure up and plan before committing to anything too creative!
Mid Sleeper Beds
If your kids are adamant they need beds away from each other in their small rooms, two single mid sleeper beds could be just the ticket. This is because beneath their bed frames, mid sleepers can house a lot of storage in drawers and wardrobes and even desks! So instead of needing extra furniture in the room for storage and learning, you can do away with these and instead have the in-built into your children’s beds, leaving you with more floor space as a result. If your children are old enough, you might want to have a look at our high sleeper beds too.
Bed options for studio apartments
As well as the ottoman, divan and cabin storage beds we have already mentioned in this blog, another great bed option for a studio apartment would be a sofa bed. In a small apartment such as a studio, having the ability to fold away your bed and transform it into a space to sit in the daytime can make an enormous difference – especially when you’re entertaining. Not only will you save floor space when you’re not sleeping, but our collection of sofa beds come in an incredible range of colours and designs to keep your studio looking stylish and inviting! Check out our Sofa Bed Buying Guide for more.
Small Beds
A small single bed is a go to option if you are dealing with a small room. Measuring 90cm by 190cm, a single bed is able to slot neatly into the cosiest of spaces. They are also a great choice for a kids bedroom and to help with the transition away from a crib for your little ones.
Available in a variety of styles, selecting a single bed shouldn't limit your design options. Our Stockholm White Single Bed Frame would work well in an industrial-chic space and our Charleston Solo White Bed Frame is a classically elegant bed capable of slotting into a small bedroom.
If you have a little more space on your hands but a double bed is too much of a squeeze, a small double bed measuring 120cm by 90cm could be a perfect fit, like our sophisticated Eden Upholstered Linea Fog Bed Frame. Remember to always get out your tape measure and consult our handy Bed Size Guide before your buy!
Day Beds
If being able to lounge around in your small room is a must, a stylish daybed could bring you the best of both worlds. Day beds double up as both a sofa and bed, making them a great choice for guest bedrooms, lounge areas and small rooms alike. From our luxurious Espirit Upholstered Day Bed to our Hampton Day Bed, we've got day beds to suit all styles!
Head to our blog on Everything You Need To Know About Day Beds to find out more!
Multifunctional or Space Saving Beds
On top of bunk beds and day beds, there are plenty of beds which incorporate other space saving elements which could help you to maximise the space in your small room.
One way of making the most of what you have got is opting for beds that also act as a neat storage solution. Ottoman beds like our Mayfair Ottoman Silver Grey Velvet Upholstered Bed Frame or beds with built in storage like our Maine White Wooden Storage Bed Frame are great options to consider if you need an extra space to store bed sheets, clothes or toys! Our state of the art TV Beds are also a great space saver, with a built in system that can hide away your TV at the touch of a button.
Aside from storage, you should also consider how tall your small room is. If you have enough space, you could select a mid or high sleeper which provides an area underneath the bed to be used as a play area, as a desk workspace or to accommodate other pieces of furniture. Our Montana Mid Sleeper With Desk and 2 Door Quad Unit is the full package and a guaranteed way to make the most of any small room, providing a work space, storage and a quality bed frame all-in-one! If you are decorating for a child who is on the growing side, then our Modena High Sleeper Bed Frame with Desk could be the perfect fit.
So, what are you waiting for? Find the perfect bed for your small room today!
In conclusion, the best beds for small bedrooms are ones with multifunctional qualities. In-built ottoman storage, space-saving bunk beds and fold away sofa beds all present fantastic options for those who are short of floor space but don’t want to compromise on style and comfort.
To start your search, browse our full collection of stunning beds and feel free to get in touch with our helpful team if you have any questions.
If you are still in need of more space saving inspiration once you've selected your new bed, check out our blog on space saving bedroom ideas for more thoughts on how to maximise your space.