Small bedrooms are where dreams go to bump into furniture.
You try to be clever. You measure. You draw a plan. You think, this will work. Then the bed arrives, and suddenly you can’t open a drawer without climbing across it like you’re in some domestic version of a jungle gym.
Living with less space isn’t romantic. It’s awkward. You bang your shin every morning and swear loudly in the dark. You start putting clothes in places that were never meant for clothes—like radiators and window sills and, once, the fruit bowl in the kitchen.
The bed is the big issue. It takes up the most space. You need it—but it needs to earn its place.
Here are the best beds for small rooms. Not the prettiest. Not the most expensive. Just the ones that don’t make you regret your life choices at 2am.
- Ottoman Beds: The Bed With a Boot
An ottoman bed lifts up like a car boot.
You grab the handle, lift the mattress, and underneath is a hollow base you can fill with whatever won’t fit in your wardrobe. Boxes. Shoes. The ironing board. Your dignity. Anything.
It’s storage without taking up extra space. No drawers to pull out. No clearance needed. It all stays hidden and smug until you need it.
Why it works:
- Perfect if you’ve got no room for furniture
- Stores more than any other type of bed
- No-one can see the mess underneath
Worth knowing:
- The lifting mechanism does most of the work, but it still needs a bit of strength
- Not great if you want to grab things every day (unless you enjoy regular upper body workouts)
2. Divan Beds With Drawers: The Quiet Classic
A divan bed is like that quiet person at a party who turns out to be very useful.
It doesn’t take up more space than it should. It’s boxy. It sits flat. And it usually comes with two or four drawers built into the base.
You can slide out a drawer and throw in your spare duvet, or the three pairs of jeans you swear you’ll fit back into. It’s not flashy, but it does the job.
Why it works:
- Great for corners and awkward spaces
- Usually more compact than a frame bed
- Some models let you choose how many drawers and where they go
Worth knowing:
- Check your bedside tables don’t block the drawers
- The storage isn’t as deep as an ottoman, but easier to access
- Bed Frames With Underbed Space: Just Don’t Forget About It
You know those people who store things under the bed and never see them again? That’s this option.
A raised bed frame with clear space underneath gives you room to stash stuff. But it’s on you to make the most of it.
Buy some storage boxes that fit. Label them if you want to feel like a functioning adult. Keep the dust bunnies at bay.
Why it works:
- Looks lighter and less bulky in a small room
- Gives you flexible storage
- Doesn’t trap smells the way some divans can
Worth knowing:
- Not ideal if you hate cleaning under things
- Needs discipline, or it turns into chaos
- Folding Beds: Better Than That Air Mattress You Hate
For rooms that double as offices or storage units or that one room where you “put things for now”, a folding bed makes sense.
Fold it out when needed. Fold it away when not. You can even get decent mattresses on them now—ones that don’t feel like sleeping on cardboard.
Why it works:
- Doesn’t take up space 24/7
- Great for guests (the ones you like)
- Some fold up with their mattress still inside
Worth knowing:
- Not for everyday use unless you enjoy back pain
- Best kept for short stays or desperate times
- Small Doubles: Because Size Does Matter
A standard double headboard is 135cm wide. A small double is 120cm. That 15cm might not sound like much—but in a small room, it’s the difference between walking past the bed or climbing over it.
Small doubles are perfect for solo sleepers who want more than a single but don’t have the room for more. You get extra space to move without sacrificing half your floor.
Why it works:
- Big enough for one, not unbearable for two
- Fits into box rooms better than a full double
- Makes the room feel less claustrophobic
Worth knowing:
- You’ll need small double sheets (which exist, I promise)
- Couples will need to be comfortable being close. Very close.
A Few Other Tips That Might Save Your Sanity
- Ditch the headboard if it sticks out too much. Wall-mounted ones save space and still look decent.
- Think vertical. Tall, slim furniture keeps floor space clear.
- Measure everything. Then measure again. Then cry. Then measure one more time before ordering.
- Leave space to walk. Even if it’s sideways like a crab.
Not a Punishment
A small bedroom doesn’t have to feel like a punishment. It just needs a bed that pulls its weight—without taking up all the space.
Skip the big frames. Avoid the ones that look good in giant showrooms but make your own room feel like a broom cupboard.
Pick something practical. Something solid. Something you won’t stub your toe on every morning.
And if you need help? We’ve got beds that fit, sleep well, and won’t leave you swearing under your breath in the dark.
No mirrors. No nonsense. Just beds that work for the space you actually live in.
