Small bedroom flooring ideas from design experts that will maximize your space

We have some big plans for those small bedroom flooring ideas. If you haven't already, now is the time to start mapping out a blueprint. 

Even though confined spaces can cause dwellers to flinch, there's no need to sweat the (literal) small stuff. With a few design hacks and clever tricks, your modest square footage can feel grander than you ever thought imaginable. 

Thanks to designers' generous advice, we have a feeling these small bedroom ideas will be contagious. 

5 small bedroom flooring ideas, according to pros

While yes, when it comes to maximizing space in a small bedroom, designers are mad for vertical storage. They're constantly encouraging us to look up and utilize a blank space with shelving and tall furniture. But that's not to say what's below should be neglected. 

"The floor, often overlooked, can be a game-changer in small bedrooms," says designer Artem Kropovinsky. 

Let the experts show you how. 

Artem Kropovinsky

Artem Kropovinsky is an interior design expert and founder of Arsight, an award-winning interior design studio based in New York.

1. Add neutral-colored rugs

Alexandra Cooper, architect and interior designer at Planner 5D, is one of the many professionals in the field who is all for eye candy on the floor, especially when working with a small area. 

"Use large rugs to visually expand the floor space," she says. "It also adds warmth and comfort to a room."

Opting for a light-hued shade will make a tiny bedroom feel airy and bright, according to Carlie Gasia, a certified sleep science coach—but only if you go for the correct size.

"It's not a good idea to use rugs that are too small, which can make the room appear choppy and cramped," she notes.

If possible, the best location for your rug would be under the bed, but if that isn't a doable—as it's one of the preferred small bedroom storage ideas—runners would also do nicely. 

"Get two runners on either side [of the bed], which can add some flair and are also practical to warm up your feet when you jump out of bed in the morning — and they take up less space," says Alex Bass, the founder and CEO of Art Advisory and Interior Design Studio Salon 21. 

Alexandra Cooper

An architect and interior designer with seven+ years of experience working in architectural firms and online interior design, Alexandra's experience is extensive: from large office and educational projects to small and detailed residential projects. She has lived and worked in Uruguay, Spain and the US.

Alex Bass

Alex Bass is an art curator and interior designer. She founded Salon 21 to fill a void in the social experiences available to her demographic interested in arts and culture and access to new talent. Alex graduated from Columbia University, majoring in Art History and Business Management, and continued her education at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London for Art Business, culminating in the development of a comprehensive business plan for Salon 21.

2. Choose the correct furniture

Before figuring out where to put a dresser in a small bedroom—and potentially a desk, a chair, etc.—you have to figure out what can fit in the room and house your essentials. This is another time when vertical space comes into play. 

"Tall, slender furniture can draw the eye upward, emphasizing the room's height over its footprint," says Carol Wilson, a home decor writer at YouComfort. 

Carol Wilson

Throughout an extensive career in home décor and textiles, Carol Wilson has developed a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the field. Working alongside some of the industry's notable names in bedding has been a truly enlightening journey for the YouComfort writer. 

3. Utilize wall space

You know that rep vertical storage is getting? Turns out, it's worth the hype, whether you're making room for floating shelves or putting up a long ladder shelf to house your trinkets. 

"Remember, vertical space is just as crucial," Wilson adds. 

Keep this in mind as you mull over small bedroom layout ideas. 

4. Choose the right tiling or paneling

If you opt for microscopic tiles or floor panels, chances are, it's going to enhance your room's tininess. Might as well opt for a bigger selection to trick your eye. 

"Choosing wide-plank flooring or large-format tiles offers fewer visual breaks, creating an impression of continuity," Kropovinsky notes. 

5. Add a mirror

Though you'd think figuring out where to put a mirror in a small bedroom is more of a "wall" thing, it can affect the floorspace, too. 

"When the goal is to make spaces appear grander, the minutiae matter," Kropovinsky says. "Placing a mirror opposite a window can work wonders, amplifying light and seemingly extending the room's boundaries."

FAQs

Have all the basics covered? Now let the experts help you style a small bedroom.