Small Bedroom Solutions: Maximising Space with Smart Furniture

Australian apartments are getting smaller. In Sydney and Melbourne, average new apartment sizes have decreased by over 20% in the past decade, while housing prices mean many of us are maximising every square metre of our bedrooms. The good news? A small bedroom doesn't mean sacrificing style or function—it means being smarter about furniture choices.

This guide focuses on practical solutions for bedrooms under 12 square metres, with particular attention to bedside table alternatives and space-saving strategies that actually work in compact Australian homes.

Rethinking the Traditional Nightstand

The standard 50cm x 40cm bedside table with two drawers works beautifully in generous master bedrooms. In a compact space, it can feel like an obstacle that blocks pathways and visually crowds the room. Consider these alternatives:

Floating Wall-Mounted Shelves

Wall-mounted shelves or floating nightstands eliminate floor footprint entirely. This creates visual space by allowing the eye to travel beneath the shelf, making the room feel less cluttered. Benefits include:

• No floor space used—critical in narrow bedrooms
• Height fully customisable to your bed
• Easier cleaning underneath
• Modern, streamlined aesthetic

The main limitation is storage—most floating units offer only a surface or single shallow drawer. If you need drawer space, this might not be your solution.

Narrow Console Tables

If you have width but limited depth, narrow console-style nightstands (under 30cm deep) provide surfaces and some storage without extending too far into the room. Look for designs with slim drawers or open shelving below.

C-Tables and Slide-Under Tables

C-shaped tables with a base that slides under the bed offer an elegant solution. They pull close when needed and push back when you need floor space. These work particularly well for daybeds or beds against walls where traditional nightstands don't fit.

Repurposed Alternatives

Consider unconventional options:

• Small stools: A timber or upholstered stool doubles as a seat and nightstand
• Ladder shelves: Lean against the wall, take minimal floor space, offer multiple surfaces
• Storage ottomans: Place at the foot of the bed; use the top as a surface for items before sleep
• Bed-mounted caddies: Fabric or rigid organisers that attach to the bed frame

Strategic Bed Placement

In small bedrooms, bed placement dictates everything else. Australian building standards require at least 60cm clearance on one side of the bed for safety, but consider these scenarios:

Bed in Corner

Pushing the bed into a corner eliminates one nightstand entirely but opens floor space. Compensate with a wall-mounted shelf above the headboard, extending to one side, or a small table at the foot of the bed accessible from the open side.

Bed Centred (Traditional)

If you can maintain clearance on both sides, even narrow paths (50-60cm) work. Use floating nightstands that don't impede the walkway at floor level, or very slim tables (under 30cm wide) that provide a surface without blocking movement.

Bed Against Wall (Long Side)

Common in studio apartments. Here, your headboard wall offers space for storage. Consider a long floating shelf running the wall's length—it provides nightstand function plus display/storage space beyond the immediate bed area.

Furniture That Works Harder

In small bedrooms, every piece needs to justify its footprint. Look for furniture that serves multiple purposes:

Beds with Built-In Storage

Ottoman beds, drawer bases, and captain's beds with built-in drawers reduce need for separate bedroom storage, potentially eliminating a dresser entirely. When the bed itself stores off-season clothes, extra bedding, and similar items, your nightstand only needs to handle daily essentials.

Nightstands with Vertical Storage

Instead of a wide, shallow nightstand, consider taller, narrower units with multiple shelves or drawers stacked vertically. A 40cm x 35cm footprint with three shelves provides more storage than a 50cm x 45cm single-drawer unit while using less floor space.

Mirrors That Create Space

Strategically placed mirrors amplify light and create the illusion of space. A full-length mirror opposite a window nearly doubles perceived room size. Mirrored nightstand surfaces, while requiring more maintenance, can contribute to this effect.

Lighting Without Lamps

Table lamps consume valuable nightstand surface area. In compact bedrooms, consider alternatives that free up space:

• Wall-mounted reading lights: Swing-arm or fixed sconces provide focused reading light without surface use
• Pendant lights: Hanging bedside pendants offer ambient and task lighting with zero footprint
• Clip-on lights: Attach to headboard or bed frame, easily adjustable, very affordable
• Integrated headboard lighting: Some modern headboards include built-in USB charging and reading lights

Decluttering for Space

Often, the problem isn't the room size but what we're trying to fit in it. A small bedroom genuinely functions best with fewer items. Audit your bedside table contents:

Essential: Phone charger, glasses, current book, tissues, water, small lamp (if needed)

Consider relocating: Medications (bathroom cabinet), extra books (bookshelf elsewhere), skincare (bathroom or vanity), electronics chargers (consolidated charging station)

Probably unnecessary: Decorative objects competing with functional items, multiple books you're "going to read," items that migrated bedside and never left

A ruthless edit of what actually needs to live beside your bed often reveals that a much smaller surface suffices—opening space-saving options that seemed impractical before.

Visual Tricks for Larger Feel

Beyond furniture choices, design decisions affect how spacious a small bedroom feels:

Colour and Finish

• Light wall colours reflect light and expand perceived space
• Matching or similar tones for furniture reduces visual fragmentation
• Acrylic or glass elements add function without visual weight
• Avoid too many contrasting colours—they chop up space

Scale and Proportion

• Furniture with exposed legs feels lighter than pieces sitting directly on floors
• One larger statement piece often works better than several small cluttery items
• Low-profile furniture keeps sightlines open, making ceilings feel higher

Curtains and Window Treatments

Mount curtain rods near the ceiling (not just above the window frame) and let curtains puddle slightly at the floor. This draws the eye upward and creates an illusion of height. Keep fabrics light and allow natural light to penetrate as much as privacy allows.

Solutions for Renters

Many space-saving solutions require drilling into walls—problematic in rentals. Renter-friendly alternatives include:

• Command strip mounting: Supports lighter floating shelves on smooth walls
• Freestanding ladder shelves: Lean against walls without attachment
• Over-door organisers: Use bedroom door back for storage
• Furniture on casters: Easily moved for cleaning or reconfiguration
• Modular cube storage: Configurable without permanent installation

For more on choosing the right nightstand once you've determined your space constraints, see our beginner's guide to bedside tables.

Embracing Small Bedroom Life

Finally, consider that a small bedroom isn't necessarily a problem to solve—it's an invitation to create a cosy, considered space. Japanese design philosophy embraces compact rooms as intimate retreats. Scandinavian hygge celebrates comfort over square footage.

A thoughtfully arranged small bedroom with quality, right-sized furniture often feels more restful than a large, poorly decorated one. Focus on what matters—quality sleep, easy morning routines, a space that feels calm—and let the furniture serve those goals rather than fighting for space.