17 Designer-Approved Bedroom Layout Ideas for a Restful Space (2024)

Room Design

Bedrooms

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.

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Updated on 11/01/23

Meet the Expert

Michael Cox is a principal at foley&cox.
Adam Meshberg is the founder and CEO ofMeshbergGroup.
Lauren Piscione is the creative director and principal at LP Creative.

Bedroom Layout Considerations

Size

Consider room size when choosing how much furniture to include.
A small bedroom may only have the space for a bed and wall-mounted nightstands and lighting.
A medium-sized room may include room for a dresser or an armchair, while a larger primary bedroom can include a lounge space with a small loveseat or a pair of armchairs in front of a fireplace.

Shape

Bedrooms come in varying shapes, from squares to long rectangular and irregular layouts in older homes that may include sloping ceilings and alcoves.
Start by deciding the best placement for the bed so that it is easy to access. Depending on the layout, this may be anchored against a far wall or coming out from a side wall.

Doors and Windows

Make sure that there is a clear pathway to the bed and furniture from the main bedroom door. In a primary bedroom with an en suite bathroom, be sure that the bathroom entrance is unobstructed. Workaround architectural elements like windows when considering furniture placement and decor such as art and mirrors.

Uses

Consider whether the bedroom will be used exclusively for sleeping; will require a desk for studying or working from home; or is large enough to include a reading nook or a lounge space with a TV.
If the room is devoted to sleeping, make the bed the focal point, choosing the largest and most comfortable size available.
If you are designing a bedroom office, consider the best placement for a desk, or install a space-saving wall desk.
If your bedroom includes a reading nook or entertainment space, decide where you plan to hang the TV and place a reading corner near a window (or consider a window seat).

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Bedroom + 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."
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Bedroom + 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.
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Bedroom + 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.
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Bedroom + 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."
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Bedroom + 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,closetstend to be on the smaller side as well,so residents can addarmoires 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 tothe sideof the bed instead of in front of it."
37 Stylish Walk-In Closet Ideas for the Storage Space of Your Dreams
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Nightstand Minimalism

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.
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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.
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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.
See Also
45 Cozy Bedroom Ideas That Feel Like a Warm Hug
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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.
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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.
The 8 Best Room Dividers
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Bedroom + 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.
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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.
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Lounge Space With 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.
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Bed + 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.
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Space-Saving Daybed

In a kids' or a teen's room, maximize floor space for playing with a day bed. 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.
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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.
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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.