Apartment Bedroom Ideas: Create a Flexible Plan You’ll Love in Any Place
- Balm Decorating
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
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Make Your Bedroom a Sanctuary You Can Take With You
Still waiting for your forever home before finishing your bedroom? Let’s call that bluff. If you’re renting, planning a move, or just chronically redecorating (hi, same) you deserve a beautiful bedroom now.
I’ve designed seven of my own bedrooms over the last nine years (and spoiler) none of them were “forever” because that’s not how anyone lives anymore. And many of the same items have stayed with me the past decade and worked in all those spaces, because I learned along the way how to plan for your space when you'll probably move again.
Think flexible, renter-ready, and timeless enough to grow with you.
A Flexible Design Plan for Bedrooms
We’re talking a layout-first design that’s built around real-life.
A Flexible Bedroom Plan:
Prioritizes flow and clear walkways
Makes every furniture piece serve multiple functions
Thought-ahead sizing and durable materials
Grows with you from lease to lease (and crib to college)
Bedroom Layouts Built for Real Life
Bedrooms have a few non-negotiables when it comes to comfort and functionality.
Primary Walkways
These are the main arteries between the bed and any doors (entry, bath, closet). You want to protect 2.5–4 feet here, depending on the scale of your space.
Closet apartment? 2.5 ft. (or smaller)
Regular(ish)? 3 feet
Grand? 4 feet
Walking Space
These are the less-used paths where people aren’t walking past each other. 2.5 feet is ideal, but you can squeeze down to 2 feet in tighter spots.
between the bed and wall
anywhere used 2x/day to get into and out of bed
between the foot of your bed and a dresser that stores stuff you aren’t using everyday
Bonus tip: Have extra room in a corner? Add a chair! Even a low bench or corner perch gives you a spot to throw the clothes you've worn but aren't dirty yet, and add coziness even if you never sit in them.
Layout Flexibility: Nightstands, Dressers, and Mirrors
Every great room starts with how you move through it. Bedrooms have a few non-negotiables when it comes to comfort and functionality.
Dressers
Want a modern, airy feel? Choose a dresser height that’s about even with your mattress. For a traditional, layered look, go higher—closer to the headboard height, but not taller than it. Short and long dressers look better in most bedroom, 4–6 feet wide depending on your room size. Keep materials simple: natural wood, white, navy, chalky black.
Bedside Tables
You don’t need a full-blown nightstand to make the space work. Even stools can sub in, as long as the height matches your made-up bed.
Pro tip: Width should be ⅓–½ the width of the bed. Smaller is totally okay if space is tight.
Mirrors
Over a dresser? Choose something about ⅔ the width of the furniture below. Avoid hanging art over tall dressers—think of the top like a styled shelf instead.
Rugs in Bedrooms: Don’t Skimp
A great rug makes your room feel finished, plush, and polished—even if you already have carpet.
Size matters: 8x10 or 9x12 is your sweet spot for a queen bed.
Position it: Under the bed, stopping just in front of nightstands.
Material tip: No washable rugs here. They’re a pain to move once furniture’s on top.
Want luxe vibes in a larger room? Size the rug to the room, not the bed. A 10x12 will look soft and spacious, especially in primary bedrooms.
Art & Personality
Art Placement 101
Walls with no furniture? Think oversized: full-length mirrors or statement art.
Above dressers? Keep the piece horizontal and scale it to the width of the furniture—around ⅔ size is just right.
Tall dresser? Skip the wall art and style the surface with trays, vases, or personal touches.
Download the Design Plan
Step 1: Download the Design Plan
It’s packed with a curated shopping list for a flexible bedroom, including three price points (Amazon, IKEA/Wayfair, Living Spaces, and more). From beds to rugs to art—you’ll find styling suggestions to jump-start your own scale-smart, timeless, and easy-to-move cohesive space.
Step 2: Choose Your Layout
Use the diagrams inside the guide to map your floorplan. Try out arrangements with painter’s tape on the floor before you commit—especially in small or funky-shaped rooms.
Step 3: Add the Personality
Use bold curtains hung high and wide to draw the eye up
Layer in pillows, throws, and bedding with personality
Light the room with 3 non-overhead sources (lamps, sconces, pendant if you want to get fancy)
Pin it before you buy it: Create a mood board to keep your style cohesive before you start shopping for art, fabrics, and smalls.
Grab the Bedroom Design Plan
Creating a bedroom that you love now and still worked later is totally doable. With a Flexible Design Plan, you’re investing in a setup that moves, grows, and shifts with your life—without compromising on style.
→ Download the free bedroom guide and start building a room that feels like you—calm, collected, and just the right amount of cozy.
Creating a bedroom that you love now and can take with you to your next place is not only possible but also practical. By following flexible design plans, you can invest in quality pieces that will last, adapt to different spaces, and always reflect your style. Download the free resource today and start transforming your bedroom into a space that is elevated but still uniquely you, and enjoy a space that adapts to your life and style as they change.
Download the free resource you need most today and start your journey to beautiful, functional rooms that stand the test of time.
Happy decorating! Consider this a shortcut to a home that's elevated but you!
Welcome to Balm Interiors
Balm Interiors is built on the belief that everyone deserves a beautifully designed space, regardless of budget. I’m Kelley Dowling, and I've developed a knack for decorating homes creatively and affordably through the best education a person can have... decorating seven of my own apartments and homes.
My journey began out of necessity—I furnished and decorated multiple homes on a shoestring budget, honing my skills in sourcing second-hand treasures, upcycling, and incorporating eco-friendly materials. Now I brin the same creativity and detail-obsession to client's all across the U.S.
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Q1: What bedroom furniture should I buy if I move often?
This really depends on your budget, so check out the guide. If you’re in the IKEA/thrift category, I recommend thrifting a higher quality dresser and nightstands if possible for the greatest possible longevity. If you’re in a pinch IKEA or manufactured wood products are perfect but don’t survive moving vans and wear-and-tear as well.
Q2: What’s a good dresser height for low ceilings or high beds?
Match your made-up bed height (mattress + bedding). Lower dressers feel more open and modern, especially in small spaces.
Q3: Can I use stools or tiny tables as nightstands?
Yes! Just match the height. A tiny table at the right height beats a bulky piece that crowds the bed.
Q4: Do I really need a rug under my bed if I have carpet?
Absolutely. It adds softness, defines the space, and makes the whole room feel intentional and cozy. I recommend rug tape (first floors) and nails (upper floors) to attach rug and keep it from sliding around.
Q5: What’s the best way to add personality to a blank bedroom?
Go big on art and curtains. These high-impact choices can be changed easily when trends shift or you move homes.