Style Guide: The Box Bedroom

Stumped for idea on how to maximise the potential of your more compact quarters? Maybe you've got house guests on the horizon and need a styling crash pad, pronto? Either way, we've got you covered.

Small or 'box' bedrooms are a reality for many of us. And they come in all shapes and sizes. Literally. From chic city apartments and cosy cottages, to eccentric houseboats and loft conversions.

And yet...revamping box bedrooms is often a daunting task, as less spaces equals fewer creative options, right?

Wrong.

With some careful planning and creative organisation, your box bedroom can go from uninspired to unbelievable.

We've pulled together some tips, tweaks, hints and heads-up to ignite your inspiration and cure your space-saving woes. So, if you're looking to give your box bedroom a bijou edge, or simply make the space work harder for you, we've got you covered.

Right. Let's get styling, shall we?

In our guide, we'll cover:

• Functional furniture
• Radiant lighting schemes
• Accessorising with flair
• Choosing cosy (and stylish) bed linen
• Experimental colour schemes

Ways To Maximise Box Bedroom Potential

Compact doesn't mean flat. And a smaller canvas requires only a broader imagination.

The trick (the first of many we're sharing) is to make space work for you. Celebrate it's smallness! Bask in its box-ness! Design with demure in mind.!

Essentially, work with the space you have to create something where its size is a strength, not a weakness. But where to begin?

Make Your Furniture Work Harder

When space isn't in your favour, clever furniture is your friend.

By choosing multi-functional furniture you'll reduce the need to try and cram in multiple bulky items. (Which will make the room feel even smaller.)

TO make the most out of your box bedroom, choose furniture that compliments the space you have. For example, desks doubling as dressing tables, beds with built-in storage, or headboards that extend to function as bedside tables . (Perfect place for a cuppa. Just saying.)

But if you want to really make your space pull its weight?

Daybeds.

When designing a compact bedroom, the stars align when it comes to daybeds. Want somewhere snug to sit and read a book? Sorted. Need a spare double bed for your friends to crash? No problem!

When paired with plush mattresses (we've got you!) and luxurious bedding, you're on to a winner when it comes to box bedroom décor.

Selective Lighting

Lighting can make a huge difference to the feel of a room, no matter whether big or small. Case-in-point, there's a world of difference between the harsh glare of an overhead halogen and the subtle glow of a reading lamp.

The key? Illuminate the smallest of rooms in style by considering the three types of lighting - ambient, accent and task, and how you want to use them.

Small bedrooms should be carefully lit. Too dim and they'll look dingy, too bright and they'll look student-y. (Both are to be avoided!)

An easy solution is to choose a dimmable ceiling light which can provide both strong and lower light levels to create a calmer, more delicate ambience.

Opting for a ceiling light such as a pendant light allows you yo further enhance your box room décor. It's smaller details that can make a huge difference! Or, why not try wall-mounted lights to relieve the need for clunky bedside tables?

What we are saying is - you've got options. And they're all glowing.

Speaking of glowing...

Accessorise to Add Character

Let your inner interior designer go wild with this box bedroom idea. We're not talking 'stuff' - accessorising doesn't, and shouldn't mean clutter. (Why use up any of that precious space?)

By adding a splash of patterned textiles or sprucing up with florals, you can add heaps of character to your box bedroom, giving it a vibe that's entirely its own.

So, while you may not be able to furnish with lavish wardrobes or four-poster beds, by adding finer details you can create a box bedroom to boast about.

Quality Linen

Opting for luxury bedding and linen can add a touch of opulence; serving as a great sneaky design tactic when space is tight.

When your compact quarters have little space for anything other than the bed itself, investing in top-notch bed linen will make your box bedroom stand out from the rest, creating a cosy and inviting space perfectly suited to serene slumbers.

Colour hack: Crisp, white cotton bedlinen reflects light, and when teamed with a plush duvet and pillows you can doze off in delight.

Get Experimental with Colour

Ever painted a wall and then forgotten how it looked before it was painted?

Exactly

Using paint can change the way you feel about a room entirely, not to mention trick the eye into believing that a room is bigger than it actually is, and there are several avenues to explore.

Want to make your box bedroom seem bigger? Simple. Pale, neutrals encourage the illusion of space. Supported with furniture of a similar colour palette (and those mirrors we mentioned earlier) they'll create the impression of a much bigger space.

Alternatively, opting for a dark colour creates the perception of depth - effectively hiding that the room is snug. Clever, right?

So, if you're looking for a space to unwind and relax in, then opt for a rich, deep colour to create a perfect cosy vibe.

There you have it! Our box bedroom style-guide. Try out any of our space-saving hacks, remember to tag us on socials!