share post

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy here

Small Room Design Ideas

Small Room Design Ideas

Hello! It’s Courtney here today, sharing some updates about my new room design! If you missed my last post with photos of the room, you can see that here. The minute I decided to move into this small space, I started dreaming up the design (as I always do when moving somewhere new). Knowing the room was only about 9×9, I couldn’t wait to start thinking of organization ideas and solutions for a small room. The size of the room didn’t really matter to me–since it would be all mine! I’ve enjoyed sharing rooms these past years with my good friends, but I’m loving having a space of my own now.

I used this move as an opportunity to start fresh. I didn’t have a lot of my own furniture or decor to start with, so I was really intentional with the purchases I made. I also gave away some unnecessary things and worked on pairing down my belongings to the necessities. I’ve worked hard to find the right solutions to potential small space issues, and also wanted to make sure I didn’t buy anything that I didn’t love. I knew that every design choice I made, whether big or small, would make a big impact when put in this small space.

Small Room Design Ideas

My first goal was to find a bed. I absolutely love the daybed I decided on! I had previously considered the IKEA Brimnes Daybed, which would have been great for its storage drawers and the option to pull out to a queen sized bed. I decided against it when I realized the cost would have been close to the West Elm one after delivery, we would have had to assemble it ourselves, and it didn’t have any kind of side rails to lean pillows against. I also don’t think the queen bed would have been able to fully extend without hitting the wall.

My other contenders were this tufted one from World Market, this one from Overstock with a trundle, and this pretty nailhead daybed which was totally out of the price range. The one I chose from West Elm was delivered and assembled right in the room, which saved us a lot of hassle during the moving process! I am so happy with my new bed, and the cutout lattice details are the perfect airy look for this small space.

I decided on a daybed from the get-go for a variety of reasons:

1) I wanted to have a bed that could double as a couch in the daytime, to have the option of feeling like a living room instead of strictly a bedroom.

2) I’ve never made my own furniture purchase before, and I knew that I wanted what I purchased to be very functional in the future too. I’ve seen this daybed used in other spaces as a sofa, a guest bed, and even a cozy spot in a sunroom.

3) This room is so small that having anything but a daybed would have literally taken up the whole room. I wanted to be able to have floor space still, so a twin daybed under the window was the perfect solution.

There was very limited space for any kind of nightstand by the bed. I decided on the IKEA Lack wall shelf, which perfectly tucks into the narrow space next to the daybed, and can be hung on the wall which will give it a nice built-in look while making the ceilings feel taller (win win win)! In addition to that shelf, I found a great charcoal storage ottoman on sale at Target, which is perfect next to the bed as an additional nightstand surface.

Small Room Design Ideas

It took me just about 1/2 a second to grab this white and gold plug-in sconce from IKEA and put it in my cart. I knew a table lamp wouldn’t work on my new shelf, so a clamp light or a plug-in sconce was the perfect solution. And this one was white and gold. With a black and white cloth cord. Need I say more…

Lack of closet space is a common issue for small spaces, and this room is no exception to that! It does have a closet, but it has a water heater right in the middle of it. It’s safe to store clothes in the front, so I added a shower tension rod and plastic drawers like these to utilize the space. I also got the white IKEA Pax Wardrobe to utilize the space on a narrow wall. I added 4 shelves and a soft closing drawer to the inside. True confessions: sometimes I open and close the drawer solely for the joy of watching it shut. It’s the little things.

Small Room Design Ideas

I knew I wanted to find some pretty gold hardware to add to this simple white wardrobe, and I ended up finding these handles that Jen of Made By Girl added to hers (her wardrobe is pictured above)! I ordered those weeks before I moved into my room, and I might have hugged that pretty brass handle when it arrived. I chose the 10.5 inch long option to make a nice impact!

My room is carpeted, and I plan on layering a rug over it. I love the patterned sisal rug in my inspiration board. I’m thinking that’s probably the style I will go with but I haven’t committed to ordering one yet! One ‘plus’ of having a small room is that you can have a smaller rug, which will make any rug much more affordable.

Small Room Design Ideas

For the wall opposite from my bed, I just ordered this wooden tiered ladder shelf from Urban Outfitters, and it should be here next week! It’s the perfect piece for an awkward angled wall in my room, and I can see it being used in so many other ways in the future. The storage will be wonderful for books, plants, and maybe a few baskets at the bottom. I can’t wait to see my pretty blue and white lamp sitting on it!

I’ll be sharing photos of my room once I get more things unpacked and the shelf is delivered. I’ll also be sharing fun details about my bathroom design!

Source List (some are affiliate links–thank you!):

Daybed

IKEA Lack Wall Shelf Unit

Rug

White Euro Shams

Single IKEA Pax Wardrobe Frame with Bergsbo door

Ticking stripe duvet and pillowcases

Wardrobe gold handle

Tiered Ladder Shelf

White and Gold Plug-in Wall Sconce

Alarm Clock

Gray Storage Ottoman

Rose Gold Portable Bluetooth Speaker

White Cotton Blanket

My Ginger Jar was found at a flea market, here is another (but mine was only $7!) It fits perfectly on a windowsill or shallow shelf!

19 Comments

  1. Michelle Clark

    Wonderful Post! MC

    Reply
  2. J.Lee

    Advice on the bed. My daughter has a 10×10 room and the sides of the bed get in the way. I regret not following the model and going with a platform beneath the bed for trundle or storage and a King upholstered headboard run sideways for a day bed. In a small space those sides catch on Everything. Good luck. Can’t wait to see it all.

    Reply
  3. Barbara (WA)

    Such great ideas – and you sure have an eye for style – looking forward to future reveals!

    Reply
  4. karen on Bainbridge Island

    You are a chip off your mom’s block for sure! I think the pieces you’ve selected are beautiful and that you will find them to be perfect for your space….and beyond.

    I anxiously await the big reveal.

    Reply
  5. Marilyn

    I like your idea board, and am looking forward to seeing your finished room.

    Reply
  6. The Vintique Object

    What a great mix, Courtney! I really liked your reasoning behind the pieces you chose — lack shelf brings eye up to increase ceiling height, daybed acts as bed/living room, etc…

    Really love that rug. It compliments everything else beautifully. I think you should go for it. Can’t wait to see the final results!
    Camille

    Reply
    • Courtney Michaels

      I hadn’t seen that but those pillows are adorable! I always love those Ikea rugs–they’re so inexpensive and I’m always tempted to get them…that’s a great reason right there to get a few :) Thanks Camille!

      Reply
  7. Joanne B.

    I love your excitement for your new room! I am helping my daughter decorate as she moves into a shared 2 BR with a good friend. I love your choices, and I hate to rain on your parade, but I sure hope you have more patience that we had when we tried a day bed for my daughter when she was in middle school. She HATED feeling like she was sleeping in a crib, even though she is only 5’6” tall. Also, bed making was horrible! to have to tuck the bedding down the back edge was a chore. Also. be sure you get more shams to go across the back -the 2 you get in a set will never do- here’s where mix and match will come in handy! Other than that- can’t wait to see how you settle in. Either way, you will LOVE it, i’m sure, because it will be all yours! Best of luck!

    Reply
    • Courtney Michaels

      Haha! I’m only 5’1 so it’s pretty roomy, I’m loving having a daybed so far! But I agree, bed making is never easy with a bed against the wall, not looking forward to that so much :) I got 3 of those white euro pillows and am definitely adding layers of other accent pillows, it’s looking very cozy! Thanks Joanne, hope you’re having a good week!

      Reply
  8. BK Scriblz

    Ooh, so many good things at IKEA. I just redid my teen sons’ room and just about everything in it is from IKEA. He loves it and chose a gray, red and black color palette. The one thing he most wanted was the white IKEA Pax Wardrobe. The room he is in doesn’t have a closet, this is perfect! I love your photos and, your ideas. Good work!

    Reply
  9. kristy

    I ABSOLUTELY love love love this room Courtney! I think that Daybed is a dream and it’s perfect for small spaces! I’m going to have to find a space for it somewhere in my home… :)
    I just recently finished a bonus room for my daughter who was just returning home from college for the summer and I added the white slipcovered sofa with a chaise for her space from Ikea.
    So nice placing white pieces in small spaces even one as large as this sofa!
    You beat me on the ginger jar price but I did find a beautiful chartreuse ginger jar from Joss and Main for under $20 which I was thrilled with.
    Can’t wait to see more of how your room finishes!
    Happy 4th and Cheers from the SF Bay area! xo

    Reply
    • Courtney Michaels

      Thank you Kristy! I totally agree about white pieces! I keep finding myself adding more and more white, it just seems right for keeping a small space feeling airy! Love Joss and Main, they have some great finds! Hope you had a good holiday! :)

      Reply
  10. Cory Eckert

    I love the simplicity of your design ideas! Very clean and simple.

    Reply
  11. Kay S

    Hi! I don’t know if you’re still reading comments on here, but I absolutely love that Ikea lamp, and want to use it for the wall like you do! But when I follow the link, it looks like it just is a clamp, not one that can be attached to the wall like your picture shows. Did you buy another accessory to make it attach to the wall? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Courtney Michaels

      Hi Kay! When you buy the lamp it comes in a box with the piece that allows you to hang it on the wall! :) It’s a great lamp! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Andrea

        Have you posted pictures of your finished room? Can’t seem to find them and would love to see how it turned out!!

        Reply
  12. Diane Streicher

    Court. That little ceramic dog on the bottom shelf of the plant stand strikes fear into my heart. He is just so creepy and weird. Obviously, that makes him perfect.

    Reply
  13. Cindy

    How did you wind up liking the Urban Outfitters stand? I want it badly, but the reviews are mixed on assembly. Thanks!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

Decor Finds:

browse categories:

browse archives:

let’s stay connected!

Follow for daily
Home Inspiration:

get my free decorating guide

home decor inspiration, free downloads,
and more, straight to your inbox

css.php