In a small bedroom the bed takes up most of the floor, and everything else fights for what’s left. The way to make it work is to stop thinking about floor space and start thinking about walls, the space under the bed and the closet.

Where the bed goes

Against a wall. In a really small room, pushing one side of the bed against the wall frees up a usable strip of floor on the other side. You lose easy access to one side, which matters for two people, but for one person it’s almost always the right call.

Under the window. If the only long wall has a window, put the headboard under it. It’s fine as long as the window isn’t drafty, and it often leaves the rest of the room more open.

Centered, if you can. For two people who each need a side, center the bed on the wall opposite the door and keep the space either side to the minimum, around 20 inches.

Use the space under the bed

The biggest storage space in the room is usually empty. If the bed is low, a set of bed risers (on Amazon) lifts it a few inches, and zippered storage bags (on Amazon) slide underneath. Off-season clothes, spare bedding, shoes, luggage. A bed skirt or a long duvet hides it all.

Shelves instead of furniture

A dresser takes up about 18 inches of floor along a whole wall. Floating shelves (on Amazon) above the bed, a desk or a radiator hold books, a plant, a lamp and folded sweaters without touching the floor. Two or three shelves stacked vertically give you a lot of storage in a narrow strip.

A nightstand that doesn’t stand

If there’s no room for a nightstand, put one on the wall. A wall-mounted nightstand (on Amazon) holds a phone, a glass of water and a book, and leaves the floor below clear, which makes the room look bigger.

Even simpler: a single floating shelf at mattress height.

Light from the wall

A bedside lamp needs a nightstand. Plug-in wall sconces (on Amazon) don’t. Mount one each side of the bed (screws or strong adhesive strips) and run the cord down the wall. They free up the whole nightstand, and they’re the nicest light for reading in bed.

A closet that holds more

Most rental closets are one rod and one shelf, with a lot of wasted space. A hanging shelf organizer (on Amazon) on the rod gives you cubbies for folded sweaters and jeans, which can mean you don’t need a dresser at all. Add a second shelf or bin above the existing one for things you rarely use.

Hooks on the back of the closet door hold bags, belts and tomorrow’s outfit.

Keep it light

  • Pale walls and bedding make the walls feel further away.
  • A large mirror opposite or next to the window bounces the light around.
  • Curtains hung high and wide make the window and the ceiling feel taller.
  • One rug big enough to stick out on both sides of the bed, rather than a little one at the foot.

Hold back on the rest

A small bedroom looks bigger when it has fewer, larger things. One big piece of art over the bed instead of a gallery of small frames. One plant, a good-sized one. A couple of decorative pillows, not six. Every object you don’t add is space you get to keep.