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It’s a scenario familiar to apartment hunters: You finally find the perfect place, complete with the natural light you’ve been fantasizing about. It all seems too good to be true…and then you stumble into the sleeping quarters and realize it is. What do you do when your dream home comes with a tiny bedroom? Embrace it. 

While smaller spaces might sound like a logistical nightmare, the reality is that they’re a breeding ground for innovation. Nothing tests your design know-how like having to figure out how to squeeze a mattress, personal mementos, and functional storage into minimal square footage. Read on for nine small bedroom decor ideas to get those creative juices flowing. 

Jenny Kaplan has the right idea with this picture-perfect nook, which features both ombré wallpaper and low-to-the-ground furniture that makes her ceilings appear taller. 

In Dan Pelosi’s rainbow-hued Brooklyn pad, layered textiles and a mini jungle of greenery help transform the all-white bedroom into a cozy retreat.

In this 500-square-foot studio, Krissy Jones made the most of every available surface—including the walls, which are covered in floor-to-ceiling shelving. Who needs a walk-in closet when you can keep your favorite knits within easy reach? 

Don’t be afraid to go bold with paint, as seen here in our very own social media editor Alyssa Clough’s Brooklyn digs. A bright royal blue wall adds instant character to the cramped quarters. 

Speaking of color-saturated spaces, we’re taking notes on how to blend prints from stylist Miranda Starcevic. In her small bedroom, even the ultra-functional storage—an over-door hanger, hanging shelves—has style thanks to funky bags and every shade of nail polish you could imagine. 

In another corner of his apartment, Dan Pelosi chose to use sentimental items as practical pieces. The undeniable star of his guest room is that gorgeous quilt, which was made for him by his mom. 

No space for a bookshelf? No problem. Attie James’s space proves there are more inventive ways to display your dog-eared favorites, from a windowsill library to a slim wood magazine rack. 

A room divider can take many forms, but Arielle Assouline-Lichten’s has the benefit of doubling as storage. From extra luggage to sentimental tchotchkes to many (many) hardcovers, it houses it all. 

Sunny Shokraes eclectic setup has a bit of everything, from mix-and-match bedding to an impressive medley of metal finishes. If you’re worried about your small bedroom feeling one-note, look to this space as a source of comfort. 

See more ideas for small space living:  6 Colors You Should Never Paint a Small Space How to Live Your Best Maximalist Life in a Small Space What I Wish I Knew Before Living in a Small Space