Furnishing a small double bedroom is one of the most common decorating challenges in Portugal — houses are getting smaller and smaller, but the need for storage and comfort remains. With the right choices, it's possible to have a functional, organized, and beautiful double bedroom even with limited square footage.
1. Measure before you buy — always.
It seems obvious, but it's the most common mistake. Before choosing any piece of furniture:
- Measure the width and length of the room.
- Measure the height of the ceilings (important for wardrobes).
- Measure the doorways to the room—many pieces of furniture won't fit through the door.
- Mark the floor with masking tape to indicate the position of the furniture before buying.
Always leave at least 60cm of free passage around the bed and 45cm of opening for the wardrobe doors.
2. Choose the right bed.
In small bedrooms, the bed takes up proportionally a lot of space. Some strategies:
Bed with integrated storage
Beds with side drawers or storage compartments under the mattress eliminate the need for other storage furniture and utilize space that is normally left empty. In a 160x200cm bed, you can store bedding, extra pillows, suitcases, and much more.
Bed size
In very small rooms (less than 12m²), consider a 140x200cm bed — it's comfortable for a couple and saves 20cm of width, which makes a difference.
High bed without a frame
Low beds or minimalist designs without bulky headboards make the room appear visually larger.
3. Wardrobe — the most difficult piece
Sliding doors instead of hinged doors.
The biggest advantage of sliding doors in a small room: they don't require opening space. You easily save 60-80cm of space that would be unusable with hinged doors.
Floor-to-ceiling wardrobe
Make the most of the available height. In small rooms, a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe stores twice as many clothes in an identical space and appears visually more integrated.
Custom-made wardrobe
In rooms with niches, recesses, or walls of irregular dimensions, a custom-designed wardrobe makes the most of every inch. At Platea, we manufacture wardrobes to the exact measurements of your space.
4. Bedside tables: are you thinking about alternatives?
Traditional bedside tables take up floor space. Alternatives for small bedrooms:
- Wall shelves fixed at mattress height completely free up floor space.
- Suspended bedside tables (without legs) — same visual effect, but more stable.
- Narrow bedside tables (30cm or less) — take up much less space.
5. Colors and lighting to expand the space.
- Light colors on the walls (white, beige, light gray) visually expand the space.
- A large mirror on one wall visually doubles the room.
- Recessed ceiling lighting (without pendant lights) frees up visual space.
- Floor-to-ceiling curtains, even on small windows, visually raise the ceiling.
6. Multifunctional furniture
- Bench at the foot of the bed with internal storage.
- Mirror with integrated jewelry organizer.
- Chest of drawers that also functions as a desk.
Conclusion
Furnishing a small double bedroom requires more planning, but it's perfectly possible to create a functional and beautiful space. The key is choosing the right furniture — especially a bed with storage and a custom-made wardrobe with sliding doors. At Platea, we manufacture complete custom-made bedrooms to make the most of your space, whatever it may be. Visit us in Paços de Ferreira or consult us online.