Adding easy small bedroom upgrades to your sleep space will make it a more relaxing place to catch some Zs.
We've spoken with interior designers who have all designed bedrooms for clients to find out their tricks for quickly transforming the room. From eliminating clutter to utilizing clever lighting, there is a lot you can do.
If you're looking for small bedroom ideas which won't take you much time to do and will have a fab effect, it's time to reach for these quick tips and tricks.
Easy small bedroom upgrades that are so beautiful
If you want to know how to refresh a small bedroom, finding quick upgrades is a smart place to start.
We have curated useful buys to match our expert's advice throughout, in case you want to get started as soon as possible.
The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.
1. Declutter
One of the simplest yet effective things you can do is learn how to declutter your small bedroom.
“Removing any unwanted furniture pieces and decor and throwing away accumulated trash will instantly upgrade your bedroom,” says Artem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight.
Artem Kropovinsky is an interior design expert and founder of Arsight, which has twice been honored as finalists in the international SBID Awards and acknowledged in the NYCxDESIGN Awards. He has a decade of extensive and global residential and commercial interior design experience.
If you end up with any pieces you can’t relocate to other areas of the home, you could always donate these to secondhand furniture stores such as Goodwill.
2. Replace heavy drapes
If you’re looking to make a small bedroom look bigger, going for breezy fabrics will help bring light into the space.
Artem suggests, “Replace heavy drapes with light and transparent curtains to allow the sun to flow in and to create a feeling of airiness in the room.”
You can either make these yourself so they fit snugly in the space or you can grab some budget-friendly ones, such as these Chyhomenyc Curtains from Amazon. Either way, this is an easy small bedroom upgrade.
15 colors available
Size (in.): W52 x L84
Made from: Linen
Price: $19.90
The key can certainly be simplicity sometimes, as these breezy and bright curtains prove.
Comes in white or ivory
Size (in.): W42 x L63
Made from: Synthetic fabric
Price: $20.99
These are giving us all the wholesome, cottagecore decor vibes, thank to the sweet bow ties.
Machine washable
Size (in.): H54 x W59
Made from: Polyester
Price: From $7.78
Enjoy soft light filtration in your bedroom with these graceful curtains.
3. Organize your closet
While this easy small bedroom upgrade doesn’t change the outside appearance of your room, it will make it much easier to use.
“Maximize closet space with efficient organization solutions, such as space-saving hangers (these Moralve Hangers on Amazon are Amazon's Choice), drawer organizers, and storage bins,” says Nina Lichtenstein, interior designer and founder of Nina’s Home Design.
For close to a decade, Nina has showcased her in-depth construction and design expertise. She has been celebrated for designing, renovating, and building elegant family homes with modern feels. Her motto is bringing together function and beauty, without compromise, to embody unique visions of life.
From here, you can sort out your ‘floordrobe’ and place everything into your closet neatly with clever small bedroom storage ideas.
4. Change up fabrics
Curling up in the best bedding will make any home feel like a hotel. This easy small bedroom upgrade will take your room from one-star to five-star.
“Invest in high-quality sheets and a duvet cover complementary to your color scheme,” says Nina.
Looking for an even quicker fix than having to switch all your bedding? Reach for soft, plush decor.
“Adding throw pillows or a cozy blanket (we like the look of this highly-rated Threshold Knit Throw from Target) can instantly change the atmosphere in any room,” adds Mohammad Ahmed, interior designer and founder of The Home Guidance.
Mohammad Ahmed is an interior designer and home expert. He did his bachelors degree in Interior Designing at the University of Minnesota in 2013 and since then has worked as an interior designer in various companies, designing functional and beautiful spaces for clients.
Organic material
Sizes: Twin, queen, king
Made from: Cotton
Price: From $148
Put some spring in your bedroom's step with this stunning sage green bedding cover.
Lightweight
Size (in.): W50 x L60
Made from: Acrylic
Price: $19.99
Throw this on any color bed to give it a soft and stylish finishing touch.
Free silk eye mask
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and, California King
Material: Long-staple cotton
Price: From $554.20
Going for a full small bedroom upgrade? This pack has everything you could possibly need.
5. Swap out lighting
Even if you hate turning on the big light, easy small bedroom upgrades can still include smaller options.
Mohammad suggests, “Switch out old light fixtures with more inviting ones for an inviting ambiance.”
We love twinkling string lights and our best candles in small bedrooms (this Neom Perfect Night's Sleep Candle on Amazon has notes of lavender and jasmine), as these always create a cozy look.
Weather-resistant
Size (in.): H6 x W3
Made from: Resin
Price: $21.99
Save yourself from waking up in the night worrying if you've blown out your candles, as these are electric.
Amazon's choice
Size (in.): W7.52
Made from: Copper
Price: $9.99
Drape these along your bed headboard, along your windowsill, and even on top of your wardrobe.
Budget-friendly
Size (in.): H14 x W5.20 x D5.20
Made from: Metal
Price: $7.88
Choose from cute pink or mint pastel shades, as well as moody gray or black.
6. Add fresh paint
This might not be a super quick easy small bedroom upgrade, but it isn’t complicated to do and the lasting effects are brilliant
“New paint colors can totally change the feel and appearance of any room, especially small spaces that feel enclosed,” Mohammad says.
He adds light, neutral hues can help expand a smaller area by giving off more open and spacious vibes.
Our favorite at the moment is Lick’s White 03 Matt, which is perfect for Scandi small bedrooms.
7. Clean reflective surfaces
If you have mirrors in your sleep space, giving them a clean is a great easy small bedroom upgrade idea.
Artem says, “By scrubbing up mirrored closet doors, mirrors, and windows, you will allow more light to enter and reflect in the bedroom, and the whole room will feel fresher, too.”
To do this swiftly, we recommend removing dust with a duster, going in with a damp microfiber cloth (these Homexcel Cleaning Cloths are Amazon bestsellers), and then finishing with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any streaks.
If you're still getting smears, learn how to clean windows without streaks.
With these easy small bedroom upgrades, you can transform your small bedroom into a stylish and functional retreat.
“Experiment with a combination of these ideas to create a personalized space that reflects your unique style while maximizing every inch of your compact haven,” Nina finishes by saying.
If your bedroom is looking a little tired, learning how to update an outdated small bedroom next may come in useful.
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Hi there! I’m the former content editor at Real Homes and I'm now a freelance journalist.. I've been a lifestyle journalist for over five years, previously working as an editor across regional magazines. Before this, I graduated from Nottingham Trent University a degree in journalism, along with an NCTJ gold diploma. For Real Homes, I specialized in interior design, trends and finding the best viral buys.