The Fundamentals of Space Planning Your Bedroom

So you just moved in (that, or you’re itching to move some things around in your existing home). Now what? I don’t know about you, but I’m always so excited at the prospects of a blank canvas floor plan, until I actually have to start making decisions on where to put everything. I start questioning everything! Is my rug the right size? Should my sofa go against the wall or float in the room? Do my nightstands have to match? Before I know it, I’m completely paralyzed by the whole situation and need my trusted design friends to rush over and help ease me into the right decisions. I rationalize my indecisiveness to the fact that space planning and room layouts are so crucial to the overall vibe a home puts forth.

To help, we turned to California designer Becki Owens to lay out some fundamentals when it comes to the art of placement. She consistently creates fresh, swoon-worthy interiors that always feel right on the mark. Below, Becki outlines four things to remember when setting up a bedroom to introduce good, healthy flow. Sleep tight!

It’s important to pick your bed wall first. Typically, this will be your longest uninterrupted wall. If your walls aren’t ideal (windows or a funky floor plan get in the way), get creative! Don’t be afraid to place your bed up against a window if necessary, or frame a space for your bed using draperies (even if there isn’t a window). This will balance out any unevenness in placement. The aim here is to make the bed the focal point of the room for a traditionally elegant statement.

If you’re dealing with a small space or a unique existing layout, consider pushing the bed up against a wall and using only one nightstand. Then think about adding pretty sconce lighting on the sides rather than obtrusive table lamps. Shift your focus more on the accessories than larger furniture pieces. A 4×6 rug or runner next to your bed (in front of the night stand) will balance out an off-center bed.

Once your bed is placed, make sure to map out the entire space before moving anything else around. You should be able to easily walk around the room, open drawers without any trouble and not feel cramped. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 22 inches of walking space around either side of the bed and at its foot.

Create a good flow in your bedroom by making sure your furniture is the right scale for the space—nothing too big or too small. If you have a king-sized bed in a teeny room, that will likely throw off the spatial balance (and you’ll have to sacrifice other necessary furniture). On the other hand of that, if your room is on the larger end, consider using larger chest-like nightstands (rather than smaller side tables), and maybe even a four-poster bed. This will create the drama needed to fill the space.