What are the ideal beds for small rooms?

Choosing the right bed is crucial when designing or redecorating a small room. A bed often occupies the most space, so finding one that maximises comfort and functionality without overwhelming the space is critical. To create a cosy aesthetic space, you must balance aesthetics, storage, and comfort in smaller rooms.

Here's a look at some ideal beds for small rooms and how they can help optimise your limited space.

1. Storage Beds

One of the most practical solutions for small rooms is a storage bed. These beds come with built-in drawers or compartments underneath the mattress, making them ideal for rooms where space is at a premium.

Benefits:

• Maximised Space: By incorporating storage within the bed, you reduce the need for extra furniture like dressers or storage bins.
• Organised Look: Everything from extra bedding to seasonal clothes can be stored neatly in the drawers, helping to declutter the room.
• Variety of Styles: Storage beds come in many styles, from minimalist to traditional, ensuring you can find one that matches your room's.

Popular Types:

• Ottoman Beds: The mattress lifts to reveal a large storage area underneath. These beds are excellent for hiding away more significant items like suitcases or bulky bedding.
• Drawer Storage Beds: Features multiple drawers underneath the bed frame. These are perfect for organising smaller items like clothes, shoes, or books.

2. Murphy Beds (Wall Beds)

A Murphy bed, a wall bed, is a space-saving marvel. These beds fold up vertically against the wall, allowing you to free up floor space when the bed is not in use.

Benefits:

• Transforms the Room: Murphy beds are perfect for multipurpose rooms. You can turn a bedroom into an office, living room, or play area by day and a sleeping space by night.
• Built-in Storage Options: Some Murphy beds come with attached shelving or cabinets, further enhancing storage options.
• Modern Designs: Gone are the days of clunky, unattractive Murphy beds. Many contemporary designs are sleek and stylish, blending seamlessly into your room.

3. Loft Beds

Loft beds elevate the mattress to create space that can be used for various purposes, such as a desk, seating area, or storage.

Benefits:

• Maximised Vertical Space: Loft beds are ideal for rooms with high ceilings. They use vertical space efficiently, leaving room below for other furniture or storage.
• Functional Lower Area: You can place a desk, seating, or even a wardrobe underneath, turning the bed into a versatile part of the room.
• Ideal for Kids and Teens: Loft beds are popular among children's teens because they combine sleeping, studying, and playing areas in a compact space.

4. Sofa Beds (Futons)

Sofa beds, also known as futons, are the epitome of versatility. They serve dual purposes: they can be used as comfortable seating areas during the day and transform into a bed at night. This adaptability makes them instrumental in studio apartments or guest rooms, where space is at a premium.

Benefits:

• Multifunctional: During the day, it's a comfortable seating area, and at night, it transforms into a bed. This is ideal for small spaces requiring a living area and a bedroom.
• Variety of Styles and Sizes: Sofa beds come in various sizes, from twin to queen, and in different styles to suit any room's rooms.
• Great for Guest Rooms: If you have a small guest room, a sofa bed can be an excellent solution, as it frees up space when not in use and offers a comfortable sleeping option for guests.

5. Bunk Beds

Bunk beds are a classic choice for kids, but they can also be a smart option for small rooms where multiple people need to sleep. These beds stack two or more beds vertically, allowing more sleeping space without taking up additional floor area.

Benefits:

• Space-Saving for Families: Bunk beds are perfect for siblings sharing a room, as they save much floor space.
• Different Configurations: Some bunk beds have built-in storage or a trundle bed underneath, offering more sleeping or storage space.
• Customizable Options: Modern bunk beds come with customizable features like built-in desks, bookshelves, or even play areas.

6. Daybeds

Daybeds are the epitome of comfort and versatility. They function as both a sofa and a bed, providing a comfortable seating area during the day and a cosy bed at night. Many daybeds also come with a trundle bed underneath, offering extra sleeping space without taking up too much room.

Benefits:

• Dual Functionality: A daybed can serve as a seating area during the day and a bed at night, making it perfect for small rooms that serve multiple purposes, such as a home office or guest room.
• Extra Sleeping Space: Many daybeds come with a pull-out trundle bed, offering an additional bed for guests without occupying extra space.
• Stylish and Comfortable: Daybeds come in various modern and traditional designs, adding a chic element to any room.

7. Trundle Beds

Trundle beds are the epitome of convenience and space-saving. These beds feature a secondary mattress that can be stored neatly underneath the main bed and pulled out when needed. This extra sleeping space is perfect for accommodating guests without requiring a permanent second bed, making them a great choice for small rooms.

Benefits:

• Extra Sleeping Space: Trundle beds are perfect for accommodating guests without requiring a permanent second bed.
• Compact and Discreet: When not used, the trundle bed is tucked neatly under the main bed, leaving the room spacious.
• Perfect for Kids: These are ideal for sleepovers or situations where two people must be accommodated in a small space.

8. Platform Beds

Platform beds have a low profile and typically do not require a box spring. They often come with built-in storage or a sleek design that fits well in modern, minimalist rooms.

Benefits:

• No Box Spring Needed: This saves space and money, as the mattress can sit directly on the platform.
• Under-Bed Storage: Many platform beds have built-in drawers or open space underneath for additional storage.
• Sleek, Minimalist Look: Platform beds often have a contemporary design that can make small rooms appear more open and less cluttered.

9. Foldable or Convertible Beds

Foldable or convertible beds, such as foldaway beds or folding mattresses, are ideal for rooms with minimal space or for guests needing an occasional bed. These beds can be folded and stored away when not in use, freeing up floor space. They are lightweight and easily stored in a closet or against a wall, making them a versatile and space-efficient option for small rooms.

Benefits:

• Space Efficient: These beds can be folded and stored away when not in use, freeing up floor space.
• Easy to Store: Foldable beds are lightweight and easily stored in a closet or against a wall.
• Great for Guest Rooms: If your small room doubles as a guest room, a foldable bed provides a quick and comfortable sleeping solution without occupying permanent space.

Suggested reading: Divan vs. Ottoman beds - Which is more comfortable?

Conclusion

Choosing the ideal bed for a small room requires balancing comfort, style, and space-saving functionality. Storage, Murphy, and loft beds offer practical solutions for maximising floor space, while sofa beds and daybeds provide dual functionality.

Whether you need extra sleeping space for guests or a way to keep the room organised, there's a bed option for every small space. Consider your room's storage needs and the style that best fits your home when selecting the ideal bed to make the most of your small space.

FAQs

What type of bed is best for small rooms?

Storage, Murphy, loft, and sofa beds are ideal for small rooms.

How does a Murphy bed save space?

A Murphy bed folds vertically into the wall, freeing up floor space during the day.

Can a storage bed help declutter a tiny room?

Storage beds come with built-in drawers or compartments under the mattress, providing extra storage space to keep items organised and reduce clutter.

Are loft beds a good option for small bedrooms?

Loft beds maximise vertical space by allowing the area underneath to be used for a desk, seating, or storage, making them ideal for small rooms.

What is the difference between a daybed and a trundle bed?

A daybed functions as a sofa and a bed, while a trundle bed has a second mattress underneath the main bed, which can be pulled out for extra sleeping space.

Can bunk beds be used in small rooms?

Yes.

Are sofa beds comfortable for everyday use?

Many modern sofa beds are designed for comfort and durability, making them suitable for everyday use in small spaces like studio apartments.

What is the advantage of a platform bed in a small room?

Platform beds have a low profile, often with built-in storage, and do not require a box spring, making them a compact, space-saving option for small rooms.

Do foldable beds work well for small guest rooms?

Yes, foldable or convertible beds are easy to store and provide a quick, comfortable sleeping solution for guests without occupying permanent space in a small room.

What should I consider when choosing a bed for a small room?

Consider the bed's built-in storage options, multifunctionality, and how well it fits within the room while leaving enough space for movement and other furniture.