17 Restful and Designer-Approved Bedroom Layout Ideas

Build a Reading Nook

Many bookworms wish to retreat to their bedrooms for some quality reading time.

"If the size of the room allows for it, it’s great to add a seating area with a chair, ottoman, and/or side table," Adam Meshberg, an architect, designer, and developer.

"Place a comfortable chair and side table under or closest to a window for the natural light and views, if any."

Merge a Bedroom With a Home Office

Some bedroom layouts will naturally lend themselves to setting up a workstation.

"A writing desk tucked in a bay window creates a work zone and draws natural light to increase productivity," designer Michael Cox says.

However, a small office space can still be achieved in bedrooms with less square footage. Placing a desk beside the bed and allowing it to double as a nightstand is quite common in more petite bedrooms.

Make Space for a Vanity

Many bedrooms feature a vanity, which eliminates the need to travel back and forth to the bathroom in order to style hair or apply makeup.

A vanity can be placed in an empty, light-filled corner, but just as is the case with a desk, a vanity may be styled to also serve as a nightstand if needed.

Create Bedroom and TV Lounge

Those who enjoy TV in the bedroom will want to design their space to maximize viewing pleasure—and those who wish to save laying in bed for nighttime will want alternative seating.

As Cox states, "Having a pair of chairs or settee at the foot of the bed makes a cozy set up for TV entertainment."

If you prefer to watch from bed, make sure you have the coziest bedding possible.

Add Extra Clothing Storage

Not all bedroom closets are sizable enough to accommodate a resident's entire wardrobe, particularly if two people are sharing a space.

"Typically, with smaller primary rooms, closets tend to be on the smaller side as well, so residents can add armoires to the bedroom furniture to make up for that much-needed storage space," Meshberg notes. "Lay the armoire against a blank wall that is off to the side of the bed instead of in front of it."

Keep Nightstands Minimalist

A bed flanked by two nightstands is a common setup when space allows, given that the bedroom serves as a valuable storage space for everyday essentials.

"Having bedside tables with storage is paramount," says designer Lauren Piscione. "I need a place for books, a notebook, and all the provisions needed for a good night's rest." Tuck your clothes into the closet and keep the rest of the space clear for a minimalist oasis.

Warm Up With a Bedroom Fireplace

When a bedroom features a fireplace—or even a nonworking mantel—you will want to station the bed so that it is facing this area.

The mantel is a great area over which to mount a TV or lean a mirror or oversized artwork. Place a comfy chair next to the fire for a cozy spot to relax.

Design a Bedroom With Two Beds

If a bedroom features two beds but is on the smaller side, it is best to place a nightstand between the two beds. More spacious rooms can accommodate a nightstand to the left of the lefthand bed and to the right of the righthand bed.

The middle space between the two beds can be left empty, or something smaller such as a basket or plant can sit in between.

Place the Bed in Front of Windows

Sometimes, the only space in which a bed can fit is directly in front of the windows. Curtains then become a key component of the design—they must be well made to block out light streaming directly into the room and should also complement a room's aesthetics.

Incorporate A Room Divider in a Studio Apartment Bedroom

In a studio apartment, the bedroom may consist solely of a bed and maybe one nightstand.

A chic room divider can serve as a means to section off a sleep space from the rest of the unit and will discourage guests from wandering into this sacred spot.

Create a Bedroom and Social Space

If you want a bedroom that serves as a kid-free zone for you and your spouse to hang out, ample seating will be necessary.

Positioning accent chairs so that they face toward the bed, and not away from it, makes a room designed for conversation (as opposed to TV-watching) feel more open.

Consider a Shared Headboard

A shared headboard for a pair of twin beds in a kids' room or guest room will create a built-in feel that anchors the layout of the room.

In this twin bedroom from Christina Kim Interior Design, a long wall-mounted pale blue velvet headboard and matching linens create a unified look.

Define a Lounge Space With an Area Rug

Define zones in a larger bedroom with area rugs. This spacious bedroom suite from Forbes + Masters includes plenty of room between the large king-sized bed anchored against one far wall and the dedicated lounge space on the other side.

The sofa faces away from the bed to create a sense of separation, anchored by an area rug anchored over the existing carpet that adds soft texture and helps it to feel like its own space.

Add a Window Seat

Add a window seat to your bedroom or a kids' room to create a relaxing place to hang out that isn't the bed. This minimalist space from Cathie Hong Interiors includes a bay window seat with built-in storage beneath it to hide clutter. The room is large enough for an adjacent reading corner with an armchair, a side table, and a lamp.

Invest in a Space-Saving Daybed

In a kids' or a teen's room, maximize floor space for playing with a daybed. In this room from Brexton Cole Interiors, a daybed is placed against the long side wall, and includes extra throw pillows and blankets to make it a cozy place to read or hang out with friends during the day, while also leaving plenty of room to race around a toy car or play games.

Try a Freestanding Headboard

Create a dramatic focal point in a primary bedroom or large guest suite with a monumental freestanding headboard, like this wrap-around channel tufted headboard from Forbes + Masters that accommodates a pair of nightstands and creates a room-within-a-room feel in the spacious bedroom.

In a smaller space, consider floating a bed in a four-poster bed frame in the center of the room rather than pushing it up against a wall to create a light and airy feel.

Go With Bunk Beds

Save space in a shared kids' bedroom with a pair of bunk beds, like this boys' room from Cathie Hong Interiors. If you are looking for a space-saving way to layout twin beds in one room without using a bunk bed, consider arranging the beds along the walls of a corner of the room and adding a shared nightstand in between.