What You Thought Was A Luxury Bed Is Actually A Huge Design Mistake For Small Rooms

If you've ever lived in a small apartment or even a home with a tiny bedroom, then you'll understand the appeal of upgrading to a king-sized bed. It's a luxurious buy, but bigger isn't always better. Selecting the perfect size bed for your space is key — and a king bed can inadvertently make a small space feel more cramped. Take it from interior design pro Corinne Back of Corinne Victoria Design, who spoke to Southern Living about regretting her purchase. "Even though we had the room [for a king bed], I wish we prioritized extra nightstand storage, a bench at the end of the bed, or a more substantial bed frame instead of having to go more minimal," she told the magazine.

This common bedroom layout mistake isn't just visually awkward. From a practical standpoint, it can also make changing your sheets or making the bed a bigger hassle. Not to mention, you might fall into the same boat as Back and not have any leftover room for nightstands, a dresser, or other vital bedroom furniture. It's generally recommended to pay attention to scale and purchase a bed that's proportionate to your space. For small bedrooms, opting for a full- or queen-sized bed is the safest option.

King beds will work well in large, spacious bedrooms, but they can easily overwhelm tighter ones. You heard it here first, folks: Bigger isn't always better. Instead of splurging on a luxurious new mattress for your small bedroom and potentially making a king-sized mistake, focus on optimizing your bedroom for design and functionality. For instance, you could install a floating nightstand, vanity, or wall sconces for a sleek and clutter-free look. These cleverly designed items don't take up any floorspace or tabletop surface area, which is ideal for making the most of a small bedroom. If your goal is to make the room look bigger, keep the aesthetic light and airy, or strategically position mirrors so they reflect the light streaming in from your bedroom windows.

Alternatively, take a cue from Corinne Back and zhuzh up your bedroom by upgrading to a heftier bed frame. A piece with built-in compartments by the headboard would work wonderfully to maximize storage in a tight room. Playing around with vertical storage options, such as high shelves or alcove shelving, could work, too. It all comes down to your budget, preferred home design aesthetic, and how you need your bedroom to function day in and day out. Just be wary of elevated bed frames for smaller bedrooms. Though this style of bed frame typically offers some under-bed storage, it can also dominate a tight space, particularly when paired with a king-sized mattress.