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Make your bedroom look bigger


11 Tricks to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger

By

Michelle Ullman

Michelle Ullman

Michelle Ullman is a home decor expert and product reviewer for home and garden products. She’s currently the commerce editor for home improvement and tools on The Spruce. She has been writing about home decor for over 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and Better Homes & Gardens, among others.

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and

Lacey Ramburger

Lacey Ramburger

Lacey Ramburger is a personality assessment expert based in Kansas City, Missouri, with more than five years of experience. Her areas of expertise include Zodiac, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram. She is the author of the book "Being Whole" and dozens of articles on personality assessments and relationships.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 01/31/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

If you have a ​small bedroom, you’re not alone—it’s one of the most common bedroom decorating issues. You have to remodel to add actual square footage, but luckily, there are decorating tricks to fool the eye into seeing your bedroom as larger than it actually is. Here are 11 bedrooms that show you how to make your room look bigger.

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(Image credit: Future)

If you need to know how to make a small bedroom look bigger, these clever ways to fake square footage are for you. 

There are several small bedroom ideas and interior design tricks you can employ to make your sleep sanctuary feel more spacious than it actually is – all you need is a little creativity and to make a few key adjustments.

How to make a small bedroom look bigger

We've gathered the top tricks interior designers use so you can learn how to make a small bedroom look bigger.

1. Use vertical space to 'lift' the ceiling

(Image credit: Kitesgrove)

Firstly, how cozy does this bedroom look? Despite the size of this space, it still comfortably fits a bed, small sofa and armchair – and the built-in bookcase.  

It works because the fabulous interior design team at Kitesgrove have used the vertical space to create built-in small bedroom storage ideas, and made the room feel larger as a result. 

The walls are your ally when floor space is next to nothing and you're looking for bedroom ideas that are inventive with space, so go on up. This also draws the eye upwards – tricking us into seeing space as bigger than it is with nifty design tricks is what we’re after in small bedrooms. 

2. Fit a bed under the eaves

(Image credit: Future)

When looking for beds for small rooms, a cabin bed should be just what you are after. Usually constructed against a wall, in a corner, or under the eaves, this chic bunk offers a secluded, snug and secure feel for the best night’s sleep for all ages. This simple place to snooze also makes light work of storage with pull-out storage drawers underneath.

Originally designed to be a space-saving sleep solution for longer periods of travel aboard boats and trains, cabin beds, or captain’s beds, were designed as a stow-and-sleep furniture piece. they were soon adopted in country houses due to their rather quaint character and charm, and have become a popular staple of smaller spaces and kids' rooms. A cabin bed mounted onto tall, sturdy legs can allow room for more play spaces and desks, while a ladder adds an element of excitement to bedtime.

3. Invest in handleless storage

(Image credit: Future)

Sleek, clean and fuss-free, handleless bedroom storage brings a streamlined and contemporary edge to your space. The simplicity of the design acts like a blank canvas that you can build any style into, be it Scandinavian, industrial or even rustic. This design is especially popular for tiny bedrooms, as they visually take up less space. 

Decorate and furnish your small room just as you would any other room – think textures and patterns – for a tiny bedroom that’s just as inviting and cozy as the rest of your home.

4. Exaggerate vertical space with vertical panels

(Image credit: Nest)

Whether you have a high ceiling in your space or not, you can make a small bedroom look bigger by exaggerating the room's ceiling height with vertical panels or stripes. This is overt in this room – but even a vertically striped wallpaper will do the trick.

Designed by Anderssen & Voll, this Muuto mirror creates reflections, too, maximizing the light in the room. Learning how to use mirrors successfully will open up your bedroom space, and they’re an affordable option too. Simply placing a mirror somewhere that it can reflect a window will instantly give rooms a spacious feel. 

5. Pick a tall headboard

(Image credit: Neptune)

When space is tight, you can use clever headboard ideas to make it feel bigger. You don’t want to fill it with a large chunky headboard that dominates the room – as lovely as they are, it’s not the right fit in this situation. 

Instead, opt for a visually lightweight design that has an elegant profile. Here, a tall headboard that leads the eye upwards helps create the impression of a taller space, while its light color is a positive contrast to the darker shade used on the walls. 

6.

Lean a floor-standing mirror adjacent to a window

(Image credit: The Fox Group)

‘My number one small-space trick is decorating with mirrors to visually open up a space to the eye,’ says Cara Fox, owner and lead designer of The Fox Group . 

‘Fill a tight nook in a bedroom with a floor-length mirror to make it appear larger. They are great for adding a functional yet decorative element in any space.’

Placing a mirror adjacent to a window is the best position for it to reflect the maximum amount of light.

If your bedroom scheme is pretty plain, then a gold floor-length mirror with a hint of detail on the top curve will work wonders to add a warmer feel to the scheme.

7. Choose furniture with slim, tapered legs

(Image credit: Sofa.com)

If you can see right beneath pieces of furniture then your bedroom will automatically feel more spacious. If your room has high ceilings, a bed on tall legs will feel more in proportion; in a room with a lower ceiling, a low-slung bed will feel more appropriate.  

Either way, this does mean you can’t store items underneath your bed, so you will need to work your storage ideas hard to compensate – or use this idea when decorating a guest bedroom that will have less storage requirements.

The same rule applies for bedside tables and dressing table – even occasional chairs. A leggy design will work in exactly the same space-enhancing way. 

8. Use an over mantel mirror to broaden a small space

(Image credit: Kasha Paris/Idha Lindhag)

We asked Betsy Kasha, co-founder of Paris based interior design studio Kasha Paris , for her thoughts on utilizing mirrors in bedrooms.

‘Unlike bathroom or dressing room mirrors, bedroom mirrors are more for mood than practicality, and so an old mercury mirror, with its charming imperfections, is appropriate. 

'This is especially true of more traditional rooms that have the mirror built in above the chimney. They tend to be higher up than bathroom mirrors, offering an interesting perspective on the room and catching the natural light. ’

9. Pick low-slung furniture to fake a higher ceiling

(Image credit: Clarke & Clarke)

A bed that's lower than the standard height, coupled with a shorter bedside table, will allow for more wall space. This will help to make your bedroom feel larger, like in this eclectic scheme by Clarke & Clarke Interiors .

It’s all about playing with scale and keeping the main pieces of furniture lower in height and subtle – look out for pieces that aren’t specifically bedside tables for this, such as a stool or handcrafted side table.

10. Boost square footage – and light – with alcove mirrors

(Image credit: Future/Brent Darby)

Mirror, mirror – often forgotten but oh-so-useful, the humble mirror can really transform a space. If you hang it near a window it will bounce the light around and reflect beautifully, it’s an interior design trick that’s definitely worth doing. 

We love the doubled effect of the mirror in the alcoves and on the chimney breast of this bedroom – a perfect space-enhancing trick when considering apartment bedroom ideas .

‘Mirrors can be used in a myriad of ways in interiors: for more creative tasks like making a statement as an art piece, or for more traditional and functional reasons such as brightening a room. With a huge variety of designs, styles and finishes on the market, there is something to fit in with any decorating scheme,’ says Arlene McIntyre, creative director of Ventura Design . 

(Image credit: Ventura)

'Adding a mirror into a room can alter a space, perfect for drawing the eye to a specific feature in the room or deflecting attention away from an awkward aspect such as a sloping ceiling or dark corner. An oval or circular mirror will work wonders above a chest of drawers or bed to open up a room and create layers of symmetry, however if space is limited, a mirrored wardrobe will free up wall and floor space. Don't forget the space each side of your bed, where you can create your own alcoves with mirrors.’

11. Swap table lamps for space-enhancing wall lights

(Image credit: Industville)

We’re big fans of wall lights – they can be stylish and are space-saving bedroom lighting ideas .  

If your bedroom is small you might have to compromise on the width of your bedside table, which means any space you can get back is a bonus. The answer is to install wall lights on each side of the bed, like in this room by House Nine Design . 

‘Utilizing wall lights next to your bed is a bold style statement that offers a new element to your bedroom décor while saving you from the clunky lamps that take up valuable space on the bedside table,' comments Marketa Rypacek, managing director at Industville .

'The number one consideration for lighting any space, no matter what the size, scale or budget, has to be a dimmer switch. Dimmer switches are a quick and cost-effective way of offering multiple lighting levels in a space, allowing the homeowner to set the tone and change the atmosphere of a room instantly.’

(Image credit: Penny Morrison)

Bold designs, be they wallpaper or fabrics, will fill a space visually, so choose small and intricate designs instead – perfect if cozy bedroom ideas are more to your taste, as these create a homely feel like in this traditional design by Penny Morrison .

You can still experiment with scale, but opt for pared-back prints and choose designs that complement each other in terms of their colors; that way whether you pick a paisley, stripe or a simple two–tone design they will have something in common, which in turn creates a calmer, more spacious-feeling bedroom. 

13. Paint walls in a barely there color

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

We asked Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball for his advice on how to make a small bedroom look bigger.

‘I would keep your bedroom colour ideas light and airy, and try to avoid too many contrasts by using one color for all surfaces – even the ceiling and built-in wardrobes. This is where soft, light colors work best, so go for a soft, nuanced white bedroom or delicate pastel shades.’

This is where a shade like Cabbage White (above) comes in; it’s a more subtle shade than a bright white but will have the same space creating effect. It has a hint of blue and will cool down a room that gets a lot of sun, too.

14. Make bulky furniture seem slimmer with mirrors

(Image credit: VSP Interiors)

It’s not just bog-standard mirrors that will reflect and make your bedroom feel larger; mirrored furniture can do the trick perfectly too, even when it comes to bed ideas .

‘A four-poster bed creates a cozy room-within-a-room, ideal when dealing with a space that is not so large,’ explains Henriette von Stockhausen, co-founder of VSP Interiors .

‘This bed was crafted to stand almost 3 meters tall, so as not to be dwarfed by the high ceilings, and mirrored glass was chosen rather than traditional timber or metal in order to create a wow factor. 

'An antique finish to the mirror gives a gentle, mirrored effect, yet provides beautiful reflections of the outside world.’

15. Create a nook bed to fake square footage

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Small bedroom layouts can be tricky, so if you are juggling with ideas for how to arrange a small bedroom , consider a this: divide the sleeping area off with a nook bed , leaving the rest of the floor in the central part of the room free.  

These might make walls advance, but they also create an incredibly neat-looking, space-efficient room, since storage above and around the bed can be hidden within the nook, creating a calmer, less cluttered room outside of it. Plus, they're wonderfully comfortable to sleep in.

16. Create a faux wall with a drape

(Image credit: Neptune)

With most rooms in the house having to work a little harder as more of us are working from home, the peaceful haven of our bedrooms has had to adapt slightly. Or perhaps you're looking for box room ideas that can allow a small bedroom to function as both an office and guest space? 

In this instance, there are some clever ways to make it work whilst still making it feel spacious. Splitting the room by having a drape hung three-quarters or halfway across the room ensures you have that work life balance, both mentally and visually.

Keep the scheme predominantly light and airy so it doesn’t feel closed in. This bedroom by Neptune feels spacious with the green feature wall and the desk area, due to the rest of the walls, drapes, furniture and rugs being white and neutral.

What colors make a small bedroom look bigger?

Colors that make a small bedroom look bigger tend to be those that reflect light, from the wide selection of whites to pastels and diluted primaries. 

However, don't just rely on colors when planning how to make a small bedroom look bigger – paint and bedroom wallpaper ideas will also have an effect, with those that have a soft sheen reflecting space-enhancing light usefully from both walls and the ceiling. Bear in mind, though, that sheens will show up imperfections more than matte finishes, so plasterwork needs to be in good shape.

Do low beds make a room look bigger?

Low beds do make a room look bigger, and the same can be applied to all furniture, in all rooms. 

However, just because a room is small, that doesn't mean the ceiling is low; if the ceiling is tall in a small room, you want to mitigate the poor proportions, and using taller furniture – or even a tall headboard – can do this. 

That said, if your room has a low ceiling, a low bed is your best choice.

Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.

10 Ways to Make Your Bedroom Luxurious

Room Tips

The bedroom is the most "private" area of ​​the house. This is the place where we come to relax after a hard day, get rid of all the problems, relax and re-energize. Therefore, the situation should be 100% conducive to this. While you are thinking about what else to buy to update your sleeping area, here are a couple of simple tips to help make the space as luxurious and cozy as possible.

Designed by Tom Philicia.

Photo
@elledecor

Soft beautiful rug

Adding texture and warmth is one of the easiest ways to add chic, shine and beauty to your bedroom interior. If you are not a fan of lush floral ornaments, and eco-friendly solutions like a mat on the floor seem too plain and cheap to you, put a soft fluffy carpet on the floor. This is a win-win option that will immediately help to assemble the entire interior into a single organic whole and add atmosphere and comfort to the space.

Four-poster bed

Sometimes, to make a room look more luxurious, it is enough to change an ordinary bed for a four-poster bed. Such a model is immediately associated with the royal box in the chambers of crowned persons. And the canopy is also convenient: you can close from all sides to create a cozy “nest” for yourself.

Designer headboard

If you don't have the ability or desire to replace your favorite bed, you can simply make a new designer headboard for it. After all, the bed is the main item in the bedroom, and it should look chic. Alternatively, you can use soft textile panels up to the shelf instead of a headboard: this solution looks no less impressive than the author's design of the headboard, and immediately gives the space respectability and chic.

Project by Vincent Darre. Bespoke headboard covered in lilac cotton by Pierre Frey

Art

Express yourself and your personality with art. Sculptures, paintings, vintage or contemporary photographs, drawings or a handmade wall panel all give a room a highly artistic feel and visual appeal.

Tip: you don't have to hang pictures above your headboard, you can just lean them against the wall and enjoy your favorite landscape while lying on the bed.

House in the suburbs of Paris.

Photo
DIDIER DELMA. Style: VIRGINIE LUCY-DUBOSQUE

Beautiful pendant lamp

A chandelier or designer pendant lamp should be one of the main decorations of your bedroom. You don't have to buy flashy, expensive models - sometimes you can add a touch of drama with a regular IKEA or flea market option if you approach it the right way.

Project by Pavel Zheleznov.

Organize your nightstand and dressing table

If you're anything like us, your bedside table or dressing table is a storehouse for the Essentials. Chargers for the phone, glasses, headphones, cream, a cup of yesterday's coffee, an unfinished book - all this lies and accumulates by the bed for months. It's time to get organized! Nothing spoils the look of a room like little things like this. Return the books to the bookshelves, and the cups to the kitchen, put things in the drawers, get a special beautiful tray for small items, and beautiful organizers for cosmetics. Believe me, after such a simple procedure, your room will look completely different!

Project by Maxim Kashin, Elina Mukhorlyamova and Natalia Karpova.

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Acrylic Organizer for Cosmetics

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Jewelry Organizer Tray

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Hanging storage organizer, Rafecoff

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Accent items

To make a room look spectacular and rich, one luxurious item is enough. Whether it's a dark wood bed, a silk canopy, tasseled curtains, an antique chest of drawers or a velvet upholstered armchair - every bedroom has its own "center of gravity", the main thing is to focus on it. Do not clutter up the room with a lot of furniture, follow the rule of less is more and the result will surprise you.

The apartment of the artist Alexandra Vertinskaya.

Beautiful fittings

Another simple, budget, but very effective solution is to replace the factory handles of cabinets, night tables and chests of drawers with designer ones. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of accessories on sale - from crystal and handmade porcelain to wood, brass and stone. Replacing the handles will allow you to personalize the space and give it a "zest".

Design by Nadya Zotova.

Photo
@enjoy_home

Mirror

Such a small detail as a mirror can completely change the perception of a room. Mirrors make any space feel larger, brighter and more unique. When looking for a place for a mirror in the bedroom, pay attention to the light sources: so that, when reflected, the light does not “hit” you directly in the eyes when you are lying in bed.

Designed by Ksenia Ponyatova.

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Wall mirror Mikhail Moskvin

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Mirror Phoenix, Mixline

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Dressing room mirror GM Mirror

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Floor mirror Evelum Black

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Live plants

As always, the fastest and easiest way to update your bedroom interior and upgrade from "medium" to "expensive" is to add live plants. Which one depends on your preferences. And, of course, depending on how many windows there are in the room and where they go - some plants love the south side and an abundance of light, while others, on the contrary, heat and sun are contraindicated. Whichever you choose, flower pots and planters with palm trees will help your room take the final leap into the world of luxury.

Apartment in Minsk. Designed by Vara Prokhorova.

photo
Egor Pyaskovsky

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Cozy bedroom: Expert advice

Councils

Additional place for recreation

and Christophe Poyet (Christore Rouet), in addition to the bed, there are other places to relax. A comfortable couch or chair comes in handy when you need to read a book, talk to a partner, change your shoes, or just look at your smartphone to reply to a message. You can also put a laptop here to leave the equipment outside the bed.

Eclectic details

The bedroom is the most personal space in the house, the perfect place to express yourself, showcase your passions and unique perspectives. In this New Orleans home, an antique bed sits harmoniously with a vintage Chinese screen, a handmade Moroccan rug, and a black-and-white photo of Kate Moss.

Correct number of pillows

How to find out the number of pillows? Pillows should be enough to make the bed look luxurious and inviting when made, but it doesn't take 10 minutes of digging to get into it before bed. The most suitable amount is from two to six pillows, depending on the size of the bed.

Apartment in Moscow. Project by Alexei Rubashenka.

Floral Decor

Whether they're on your bedside table, dressing table or window sill, bedroom flowers are the sweetest way to wake up. Especially in winter, when a dose of fresh herbs is a must! Be inspired by the living plants at the head of the bed in this bedroom in Sochi.

Apartment in Sochi. Elena Paunich project.

Photo
Mikhail Chekalov style: Zarina Kalinina

Details Outdoor

The bedroom in the home of Colombian fashion designer Johanna Ortiz in Cartagena has a big plus: glass doors leading to a spacious balcony with a hammock and garden views. Interior details made from natural materials, such as a chandelier made of raffia and seashells or a wicker screen at the head of the bed, create a decorative accent and a feeling of closeness to nature.

Soft carpet

Nothing spoils the morning mood like stepping out of a warm bed onto a cold, hard floor. Take care of comfort and don't forget the soft carpet in the bedroom. When choosing a carpet, we advise you to pay attention to the quality of the pile (length, softness, silkiness, naturalness of the fibers) and timeless design - in order to use it for the longest possible time!

House in California. Project by Saffron Case Homes studio.

Photos, but not family photos

In other rooms, you can hang as many family photos as you like. But for the bedroom, it is better to choose less emotionally colored images. Elegant photographs will give the bedroom interior a stylish look, without reminding you of specific people.

Upper West Side bedroom, on a wall by photographer Marsha Lebedev Bernstein.

Gadget-free zone

“A bedroom is all about sleep. What do you need when you sleep? Certainly not a smartphone!” says designer Aurelien Gallet. The same goes for TV. Remove all appliances from the bedroom and the result is a more restful sleep, as well as more space for furniture and accessories that you like.

Home of designer Mark Grattan in Mexico City.

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Variety of textures

Of course, your bedding should be as velvety and luxurious as possible, but don't forget about textures in the rest of the room. A play of textures is the feature of this guest bedroom in a glamorous Illinois home. The built-in headboard is made from quilted black leather, and the Moroccan wedding bedspread is embroidered with sequins.

Creative headboard

If you get tired of things quickly and like change, using curtains as a headboard is your choice. Changing the fabric and shape of the drapery will allow you to update the room every season, depending on the mood.

House in France. Project by Olga Zubova.

Favorite art object

It is not necessary to fill the entire room with works of art. Choose one bright piece of art that means a lot to you and looks great. This enchanting bedroom in a London apartment features a minimalistic Falling Together diptych by art group Studio Earle. See more examples of using paintings in the interior here.

Flat in London. On the wall - Falling Together, Studio Earle.

Photo
002

Expressive curtains

A room will never look complete until you decorate the windows. In the guest bedroom of the apartment in Paris (pictured left), the metal frame of the bed is trimmed with gold leaf. The forged frame stands out against the background of curtains made of Pierre Frey and Dedar fabrics. And in the Moscow apartment (pictured on the right), the designer revived the calm interior of the bedroom with the help of a bright tropical print on the curtains.

Apartment in Moscow. Project by Oksana Alekseeva.

Separate workplace

Although most designers do not recommend working in the bedroom, but life makes its own adjustments. Designate a separate area in the bedroom for the desktop, preferably as far away from the bed as possible, so as not to feel guilty about unfinished work.

Apartment in Moscow. Project by Mila Titova.

Photo
Sergey Krasyuk

Comfortable mattress

“Look for a mattress that will keep you cool and provide optimal support for the lumbar zone,” experts advise. Manufacturers recommend choosing the thickness of the mattress, not only according to the dimensions of the bed, but also the height of your bedside tables and window sills. For more information on how to choose a mattress, look for here .

Mattress Serta Glamour, Askona, www.askona.ru

Bedside table

Night stand with the right things looks beautiful, and it can also show the individuality of its owner. The more personal and personalized the items on the bedside table, the more it will reflect the style of the owner.

Apartment in Minsk. Designed by Katya Hotim and Olesya Chikildina.

Photo
Ira Zabirashko

It may sound counter-intuitive, but for smaller bedrooms it's best to choose large bedside tables and make the most of them. In this Brooklyn Hills apartment, the West Elm chest of drawers doubles as a spacious cabinet to hold flowers, books, and cosmetics.

Luxurious finishes

There is hardly any other room in the house that is more suitable for enjoying lush finishes and luxurious textiles than the bedroom - the place where we spend the most time.

Sophia Amoruso's Los Angeles apartment has a custom-made headboard covered in pink silk velvet, a Frette bedspread on the bed, brass sconces attached to the mirrored wall, multi-layered Chinese lacquer on the bedside tables, and hand-woven silk curtains. . A luxury that every girl deserves!

Other projects with unusual headboards - see the link.

Spectacular canopy

Feminine ruffles and ruffles will be more appropriate in a child's dream room. And with a strict and graphic black bed frame, simple fabrics of light shades are better combined. Canopy beds in the apartment designed by Leyla Ulukhanli are made of noble ivory fabric - elegant and aristocratic! More Canopy Bed Examples - in our special selection .

Project by Leyla Ulukhanli. Canopy bed made to order according to the design of the author of the project.

Stylish mirror

Mirrors are truly “magical” interior elements. They make any space feel bigger, brighter and more unique. This trick works whether you choose to hang them on the wall or simply lean them against the wall. Take a cue from this Moscow apartment: an antique mirror in a carved wooden frame perfectly complements the “worn” paint on the walls and the laconic black and white photograph next door.

Apartment in Moscow. Project by Anton Korneev.

Photo
Olga Pegova

Comfort palette

If you want everything in your bedroom to radiate comfort, work with color correctly. Whether you like warm or cool tones, choose the colors that you like - you will have to spend a lot of time in this room. About what shades are best for the bedroom, you can read in our special material.

Apartment in Kyiv. ID4U studio project.

Original storage systems

The foot of the bed is the perfect place to place another storage unit.

Learn more