When arranging furniture in a small bedroom, one of the biggest dilemmas is where to place the bed. The two most common options are putting the bed in the corner or centering it on one of the walls. Both positions have their pros and cons in terms of aesthetics, comfort, and functionality. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your specific room layout, lifestyle habits, and personal preferences. In this article, we’ll compare the pros and cons of a corner bed vs a centered bed to help you decide which works best for your small space.
Quick Summary
– Putting a bed in the corner can maximize floor space and create a cozy, nest-like feel. However, corner beds can also limit accessibility on both sides and feel crowded.
– Centering the bed on a wall provides equal access from both sides and looks more open. But it takes up more floor space and can make the room feel boxed in.
– Factors like room dimensions, window placement, door location, and floor plan will help determine the ideal bed position.
– Personal habits like which side you get in/out of bed and whether you share the bed also impact the better layout.
– Corner beds work well intrue small rooms, while centered beds tend to fit better in rectangular spaces. Experiment with both to see what feels more spacious.
– Make sure to account for bedside tables, lamps, and other needed furniture when arranging a centered or corner bed.
Pros of a Corner Bed
Placing a bed in the corner of a room offers several potential benefits:
Maximizes floor space
Pushing the bed into a corner frees up more usable floor area in the center of the room. With minimal square footage to work with, gaining a few extra feet can make a difference. Sitting areas, office space, additional storage furniture and more can be accommodated when the bed doesn’t take up prime real estate space.
Opens up wall space
Corner beds only utilize half of two adjoining walls, leaving more wall space free. This allows you to incorporate larger pieces like dressers, wardrobes, bookshelves or desks along the walls without crowding the bed. More wall space also means there’s room to hang mirrors, art and other decorative items.
Creates a cozy, nest-like vibe
Beds placed in corners have a snug, enveloping feel that many people find comforting. Think of a bird’s nest tucked away in the branches of a tree. The proximity of two walls makes the corner feel sheltered and private. Many couples and individuals prefer this cozy ambiance over the open, exposed feeling of centering a bed.
Allows bedside tables on both sides
With both walls next to it free, a corner bed easily accommodates nightstands or small side tables on either side. This provides room for table lamps, books, alarm clocks and other bedside items for convenience. Centered beds often have space for only one side table.
Opens room layout options
Corner beds free up the rest of the room’s layout since they take up minimal floor space. You can be flexible in positioning sitting furniture, media centers, workstations or other items. A centrally placed bed tends to dictate the rest of the furniture arrangement.
Cons of a Corner Bed
However, there are also a few potential downsides to positioning a bed in the corner:
Limits bed accessibility
While corner beds allow space for tables on both sides, the position makes actually getting in and out of bed tricky on one side. Either you’ll need to squeeze in at the foot of the bed or crawl across from the accessible side. This can disturb a partner if sharing the bed.
Reduces free space around bed
Pushing the bed into a corner means less room around the edges for moving blankets, sitting briefly while getting dressed or bed-making. One side will have very limited space since you’re up against two meeting walls.
Can create cluttered feel
Although corner beds maximize open floor space, they can make that corner of the room feel crowded with furniture. The bed and two bedside tables all crammed together may create a cluttered aesthetic.
Limits natural light access
Angling the bed into a corner means only one, maybe two sides of the bed will have a window above them. This reduces natural lighting, which impacts your sleep-wake cycles. Having light from just one side can also make reading in bed challenging.
Makes centralized heating/cooling tricky
Beds not aligned with air vents or radiators may not get heated or cooled evenly from corner positions. The centralized temperature control can be inefficient.
Can limit options for headboard
Some headboards don’t work well with corner positions, like those with storage shelves, attachments or certain asymmetric shapes. The angled walls on either side may limit your headboard choices.
Pros of Centering the Bed
Centering the bed against one wall also provides some advantages:
Equal bed accessibility from both sides
With a bed in the middle of a wall, it’s easy to get in and out from either side since there are no blocked corners. This makes sharing the bed and making it more convenient.
Feels more open and airy
Centered beds draw your eye to the full expanse of the mattress, making the room feel more spacious. Corners create a nested effect, while centered positioning gives a lighter, airier aesthetic.
Allows bedside tables on both sides
Like a corner bed, centering the bed on a wall leaves room for a nightstand or table on either side. You can access lamps and alarm clocks easily from both sides.
Balances natural lighting
A centered bed typically has equal light exposure on both sides from windows on adjacent walls. This can make reading comfortable from either side.
Works better for rectangular rooms
Centered beds align nicely with the proportions of longer, rectangular rooms. Filling the longer wall with the bed makes functional use of the space.
Has a flexible headboard orientation
Centered beds have two possible headboard directions, either on the centered wall or on an adjacent wall. You have flexibility for headboard aesthetics.
Cons of Centering the Bed
However, centering the bed also comes with a few limitations:
Takes up more floor space
Pushing the bed against the middle of a wall requires more open floor on either side, reducing total free space in the room. This limits other furniture, work zones and open floor area.
Can make room feel boxy
Centered beds align with the rectangular proportions of the room. But this can create a boxed-in feel, with furniture arranged predictably against each wall.
Limits furniture flexibility
With the bed taking up central floor space, other furniture like dressers and desks are forced against the walls. This restricts layout flexibility in the room.
Reduces open wall space
Using the central wall for the bed means you lose that wall space for larger furniture pieces or decorative items. The adjoining walls also get occupied by bedside tables.
Can impede window access
Depending on the bed size and window placement, a centered bed may end up blocking some of the natural light from a window. Large beds can entirely obstruct useful daylight.
Obstructs centralized heating/cooling
Like corner beds, centered beds may not align well with heating vents or radiators placed centrally on walls. The bed can block efficient air flow.
Key Considerations for Bed Placement
When deciding between a corner vs centered bed in a small room, keep the following considerations in mind:
Room shape and dimensions
– Square rooms suit both options since dimensions are equal.
– Long rectangular rooms usually work better with centered beds.
– Oddly angled rooms may only have one viable corner for the bed.
Window placement
– Centralized windows allow flexible bed placement.
– Windows on one wall dictate centering bed on opposite wall.
– Beds blocking windows entirely will limit natural light.
Entry door location
– Corner beds can angle to face or hide the door.
– Centered beds typically face the doorway for walking flow.
– Avoid blocking doors with either bed position.
Bed sharing habits
– Shared beds benefit from both sides being equally accessible.
– Single sleepers may prefer the cozier, nested corner position.
– Light sleepers should avoid blocking partner from exiting.
Your sleep habits and patterns
– Do you prefer sleeping near sunlight or in total darkness?
– What side do you get in and out of bed from?
– Do you read in bed or use a TV? Where will those be positioned?
Heating and cooling
– Centralized vents and radiators require efficient air flow.
– Avoid blocking climate control systems which can make sleep uncomfortable.
Existing furniture and storage
– What other furniture needs to be accommodated in the room?
– How can you maximize remaining space around the bed?
Comparing Bed Positions in Different Rooms
Where you place the bed will depend on the shape and size of the bedroom. Here’s how a corner vs centered bed may compare in some typical small room layouts:
Square Bedroom
In a symmetrical square room, either a corner or centered bed can work efficiently. Corner placement maximizes usable space since dimensions are equal on all sides. But centered placement can balance the symmetry and make a square room feel less boxy.
If choosing a corner, opt for one that gives bed access from both sides. Face the foot of the bed towards the room’s focal point, like a window or design feature. For centered placement, put the headboard on the wall with a beautiful view or artwork above.
Long, Rectangular Bedroom
For longer, rectangular rooms, placing the bed centered on the longest wall tends to be most natural. This makes the bed a focal point and draws the eye down the length of the room. Keep the foot of the bed pointing towards the room’s entry door for walking flow.
A corner bed can interrupt the rectangular flow in a long, narrow room. But if the layout includes windows or doors suited to a corner bed, putting it diagonally can help reduce the bowling alley effect.
L-Shaped Bedroom
In an L-shaped room, the ideal spot is usually one of the corners where the walls meet. This creates a natural “nook” and saves usable floor space in the open part of the L. Arranging the bed diagonally can also help fill visually empty space where the walls meet.
Just be sure to choose the corner that allows bed accessibility from both sides. The foot can point towards the interior angle or the open space depending on walking patterns. A centered bed may interrupt the flow in an L-room, so corner placement tends to work better.
Maximizing Corner or Centered Beds
Whatever bed placement you choose, there are ways to maximize the layout:
Corner Bed Tips
– Incorporate visually lightweight, airy bedding to avoid crowding the corner.
– Use matching nightstands to create symmetry along both adjoining walls.
– Add corner shelves or wall mounted lights above the bed to utilize the vertical space.
– Invest in a bed with built-in storage like drawers to compensate for less floor space.
– Angle a corner desk or chair diagonally across from the bed to balance the layout.
Centered Bed Tips
– Float the bed slightly off the wall, allowing a nightstand to tuck partially behind.
– Frame the bed with symmetrical lamps and artwork for a clean, balanced look.
– Add a headboard that extends widthwise for a visual anchor on the wall.
– Use transparent furniture like acrylic side tables to maintain an open feel.
– Layer lighter area rugs and bedding so the bed doesn’t dominate the room.
Conclusion
Placing a bed in a small bedroom comes down to your individual space and needs. Corner beds maximize open floor area while centered beds create a more expansive, airy feel. The right layout comes down to the room’s exact dimensions, window placement, existing furniture and your personal habits. Often, the best solution is simply choosing the arrangement that allows you to utilize the room’s square footage in the way that suits your lifestyle. Just be sure to experiment with both corner and centered options before committing. With some thoughtful small space tricks, you can create a cozy bedroom retreat in either format.