apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

What about a taller dresser for more storage? Love the wallpapered one! But taller...

This is such a difficult layout! I'd suggest putting the bed lengthwise against the wall furtherest from the door, but then you're blocking the window and closet. Any chance a pocket door could be put in instead of the door there now? A lot of space is lost from the inward-turning door. Assuming it's a rental, if you have handy friends and the landlord agrees, that would give you a bit more space.

Best solution might be to get rid of the dresser all together, use the length of the closet all the way up, and add more clothes storage to the bathroom or a closet not in the bedroom.

I agree on the suggestion for art on the walls. A large painting/print - perhaps you could even paint something yourself to make it a personal statement? - on the wall the bed is running lengthways against, and then paint/use wallpaper on the dresser to harmonise with the art on the wall. Since yellow is your favourite colour, perhaps you could use that as the predominant colour in the artwork and on the dresser?

You could also mount shelves like these, evenly spaced, above your heater so that it looks kind of like a bookcase. Not sure if that would make the space seem smaller, but if you're hard up for book/stuff storage, there's an idea.

If the closet is tall, I would suggest having at least two rods instead of the traditional one, and possible a shelf. One rod closets just make no sense for me; I always change that situation when I move into a new apartment.

An under bed storage drawer pushed all the way under is not cluttery and very helpful for storing clothes. I used a couple when I had to live without a dresser for a little while.
It looks like you get some nice light— how about a little cactus or plant?

I agree with the idea of getting the dresser out completely. You can build a closet storage system to fit virtually any closet at a pretty reasonable price. I'd take the closet dimensions to a local hardware store and ask an employee to help you make the most of your space. Most hardware stores have closet shelving systems in all shapes and sizes and they're relatively easy to install yourself. I personally stash my dresser away in my closet and that's something you might also want to consider. I wouldn't recommend putting the bed between the closets because you're likely to feel like you're sleeping in a hallway instead of a bedroom (people passing through the doors, the noise through the wall (as you said the other side was another bedroom) might make the room look larger but certainly wouldn't make it a place to "get away") I agree with the idea of putting some art on the wall but I wouldn't stress over finding something bright- just find whatever fits your style. It's important to me to be surrounded by things I care about/ find beautiful so do whatever works for you. Shelving above the radiator is a wonderful idea. It will give you room for books, a record player or whatever little knicknacks you care for. I'd also recommend a larger area rug in the room. Finally, I would recommend getting a hanging lamp, celling lamp or wall lamp for the room, instead of the lamp that is clamped to the bed. I can imagine having the lamp by your head makes you feel just how small the space is. It is important to me to have a space to get away and relax, I don't think that I personally could feel relaxed with a lamp by my head. By hanging a ceiling lamp you avoid the use of valuable floor space and can also add some character to the room (with a beautiful lamp) It will raise the eye up and by doing so you will be taking full advantage of the vertical space as well.

Good luck!

Your bed looks new, but if you can, you might want to look for a bed without a footboard (what are those called? opposite the headboard?) as beds without those kind of open up a room more. And I agree with getting the dresser out (into the closet) as well - I moved my desk into my closet because it was taking up too much room, and now I use it to hold my shoes. Which is random, but it works and my bedroom feels a lot bigger now.

I know it's small, but what a cute little room! I love your bedding too. I agree with everyone who suggested moving the dresser, especially if it isn't critical storage space. I have a teeny tiny bathroom and I painted it dark brown, which really seemed to make the space seem bigger (some sort of visual trickery). Otherwise, art would be great, and maybe try varying the heights at which you hang it to make the room seem taller, to make up for the lack of square footage.

Maybe you could also try going without a rug, and see if that makes the floor seem bigger.

You have beautiful moldings and doors though, thank god it's not small and void of an architectural details!

that really is a challenging space! I agree with the suggestions for art, shelves above the radiator, and no footboard.

if you can't put in a pocket door, could you take the door off its hinges and replace it with a curtain? the door could be stashed in the back of the closet until you move out. it would allow you to use the full depth of the closet then.

if you need your dresser (I know I would!), I think it would look much better with something on top of it or over it. a picture/painting, flowers, something.

I'd also get rid of the blacks things (can't tell what they are) between the bed and the radiator. then that wall won't feel as cluttered, plus you'll be able to get to your (new) shelves.

If you ca get a bed that has storage underneath- not drawers that pull ou but a frame where it lifts the whole mattress up to access space underneath- you can fit alot of stuff under there and maybe not have need of a dresser ( usually hydraulic hinges so easy to open and close even with the bed fully dressed!!!
BB

Can you steal a few square feet in the foyer for more storage? Even a few shoe storage units from Ikea could be helpful out there (http://tinyurl.com/35tdp5).

A mirror over your dresser might help open the room up. I like the idea of shelves over the radiator, too.

I love your color scheme - very cozy.

I'd ditch that particular dresser and pick up a taller replacement on CL. Like this one. Cheap and less work than transforming an Ikea piece.

Then get a mirror like this one to hang above it and paint the frame black. I actually bought a similar mirror from this same guy on CL with the "paint it black" plan. Inspired by the infamous Target-bathroom-mirror-nope-it's-a-window post.

I would second most of the recommendations above, especially adding art and the nixing of the dresser. I'm guessing that if this were my space, I'd feel compelled to keep it, just for ease and storage, but having lived in similar rooms, having a large piece like that jutting out in a small space isn't the most condusive to good flow (and not stubbing your toe!) I lived in similarily sized room when I lived in DC, and one of the things that helped it feel larger for me was removing bed frame/headboard/footboard, and folding the comforter in such a way that it looked more like a daybed. My doing so was largely prompted by the large window, so I'm unsure if the execution would be as successful in your space, but it's worth trying. Right now, I feel like all of the energy of the space goes out toward the window, since everything seems to "push" that way; I think by perhaps mimicking the bed setup I did, it might help to make the center of the room feel more inviting.

I would put your bed up on risers and get underbed storage in order to move your dresser out of the room.

I'd also take the closet door off and instead hang a curtain to cover the entrance to the closet. Maybe in a black and white pattern?

Can you paint? I'd probably paint the wall the bed rested against. Also, removing the footboard from the bed will open up the room a TON.