When I started my hunt for an apartment in Chicago, I couldn’t believe what some landlords had the nerve to call a bedroom. In some cases, these areas were nothing more than a large closet– they literally fit a bed, and that’s about it.
Apartments are getting smaller, especially in big cities— which, consequently, more renters are moving to. I had to forgo a lot of bedroom (and living room) furniture during my move to the Windy City, including a massive, beautiful storage display piece that I loved and an antique chest. (It was worth it. Chicago is awesome.) However, you don’t have to let go of all those little luxuries if you have a tiny bedroom.
Read below for some of the best life hacks for small bedrooms if you’re short on square footage:
MAKE YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE DOUBLE AS A DESK
This cute idea from Buzzfeed uses a small angular table that can easily cram its way into a cramped bedroom corner.
This is perfect for those days you work from home and is just as functional when you are winding down for bed in the evenings.
USE RISERS TO PROP UP YOUR BED FOR ADDITIONAL STORAGE
Looking for a space for seasonal clothing or extra blankets? Simply install risers on all four bedposts.
This creates a space that can store several storage containers– freeing up a lot of space in your closet.
ROLLING CLOSETS ARE A MUST
Speaking of closets, there might be a chance that you don’t have one (this is especially true if you live in a space that has been gut-rehabbed).
Not to worry– just pick up a rollaway closet and hang all of your clothes, then prop it up against the wall. You might have to conduct a closet purge before you get one, but this is a good thing to do from time to time anyway.
HANG YOUR HAMPER
You gotta find a place for your dirty laundry in the bedroom, and hampers, unfortunately, take up a lot of space.
However, hanging a hook on the inside of your bedroom or closet door and hanging the hamper can also free up space and keep dirty laundry out of sight.
NEED MORE SPACE? ENJOY THE MAGIC OF FLOATING SHELVES
Floating shelves are great for just about any room in your apartment, but they are especially beneficial in a small bedroom.
Higher shelves can become a home for things you don’t use often, middle shelves can serve as a place for decorations (such as knick-knacks or picture frames) and lower shelving can be utilized for things you need to grab more often, such as a laptop or books.
HIDEAWAY BEDS
Of course, if you really want to maximize on storage, you can actually stow your bed in the wall every day. I remember watching a TV show about apartments in New York many years ago and saw how one innovative renter living in a 400-square-foot apartment installed a hideaway bed in her living room wall. I recall thinking it was genius– and it still is.
Having a small bedroom doesn’t mean you can’t live comfortably. Some of the best life hacks around involve bedroom storage, so try out one (or all) of these tips and tricks today to make the most of your tiny space.
