How to plan furniture layout for your bedroom

The main element of any bedroom is naturally the bed itself. Beds are big and ungainly, and dictate the placement of every other object in the room. But if you are planning a bedroom from scratch or remodeling an existing bedroom furniture, you can control the other elements and create a space that's both practical and pretty.

Bedroom floor plans usually have a bed wall – but make sure there is enough space on either side of the bed for nightstands or side tables and ample circulation space so you can access the three sides of the mattress. A bedroom circulation area is ideal when you have a straight passage from the door up to the wall opposite without the bed in your view.

This is especially important in small apartments when there isn’t a lot of extra space – use fewer furniture pieces, which will make the room look and feel a lot more spacious. If your room is really tiny, use taller dressers and shelves to get more storage while taking up less room. You can move the bed closer to a wall on one side, so the other side of the bed has more movement space. Opt for a smaller bed with built-in storage to maximize the space. Short and minimal headboards work for small bedroom designs as taller ones visually make the place too filled up. Mirrors will also help the room appear bigger, so invest in a few that you can be placed strategically.

For older children and even adults, a loft bed is a great way to leave floor space open. It takes advantage of otherwise unused space and makes it possible to add a desk or a seating area in a small room that would otherwise appear cramped by a large bed.

Lastly, think carefully about the colour palette you choose for your bedroom. Look for rich yet gentle colours that will aid relaxation and sleep.