A Guide to Bedroom Furniture Spacing

In a bedroom, the spacing of furniture can make the difference between a comforting and miserable space. If things are too close together, it can feel cramped. If a bed is facing the wrong way, a restless night of sleep might occur. There are so many items to deal with that it can be overwhelming to begin.

Read on to learn all about spacing furniture in a bedroom, from vanities to nightstands and everything in between. With a small amount of guidance, you will have the perfect layout in no time by understanding the proper placement of each piece. All you need to do is apply the tips written here to the space that you have created in your home.

Where Should a Dresser Be Placed in a Bedroom?

A dresser is a piece in a bedroom that can serve several purposes. It holds clothes, supports a television, and serves as a storage unit for the items that you keep in your bedroom. The placement of the dresser is crucial because it is so big.

There are a couple of great spots where this piece of furniture can sit comfortably. Each of these will depend on your intended purpose for the product. Keep reading to understand the ideal locations for this critical item.

In Front of Your Bed

To clarify, this does not mean right at the foot of your bed. This layout places the dresser against the wall that is facing the foot of your bed. This placement works best for those who have their bed in the middle of a wall.

Placing the dresser here is fantastic for a few reasons. You can:

• Place your television on top of it
• Hang a mirror above it for light
• Place a dramatic painting over or on it

Putting your dresser in front of your bed will add some quality symmetry to the space. If you like looking at something from your bed, it can also serve as a support for a painting or a television. You can lounge in your bed at night and enjoy the view that comes from this piece. 

In the Corner

This location works best for smaller dressers, though it really depends on the size of your room. The corner will serve as an out of the way spot for your dresser to sit, clearing up a large chunk of space on your floor. If you need to access items from inside, you can simply go to the corner and take out some items.

The corner is good for keeping your dresser out of the way, but it is not very striking in the way that it looks. Keep this in mind if you have a certain style in mind when you are placing your furniture in the space. 

At the Side of the Bed

Another place for the dresser is at the side of the bed against the wall. The drawers should be facing in. There should be enough room between the dresser and the bed that you have enough space to stand up and rummage through the drawers without squeezing.

Putting the dresser here can have many benefits. Some of them include:

• The ability to be close to the dresser in the morning for quick access
• The ability to store decorations on top of the dresser
• The ability to create some symmetry in the room

Placing the dresser by the side of the bed is one of the most common placement for this large piece. It permits a level of structure to the room while also allowing easy access to the items that are stored inside. Ensure that there is a couple of feet between the dresser and the bed for the ability to move around without worry.

Directly Next to the Bed as a Nightstand

If your dresser is not too large, you might be able to save some room and utilize it as a nightstand. This works best if you have two of the same kind to ensure that you keep a level of symmetrical peace within the room.

If you do have two small dressers, you can:

• Put them next to the bed, about three to four inches from the side
• Keep them an inch or so from the wall
• Decorate them with various items

By keeping them close to the bed, you can create the illusion that it is all one piece like an entertainment dresser. The spacing is very critical. You do not want them pressed up close against the bed, as this can make it seem over cluttered and crowded.

In the Closet

An easy way to free up space in your room is to take advantage of the closet space. If you have room, putting your dresser inside of your closet can be a way of providing more room for other furniture that you want or need to place into your bedroom. 

Placing the dresser inside of your closet can also:

• Put all of your clothes and accessories in one place
• Create a unique closet space
• Provide room for you to look through the drawers

This, of course, works best with a walk-in closet. However, if you do not need the floor space, a dresser can fit into almost any size of a closet that is wider than it is.

Where Should a Bed Be Placed in a Bedroom?

The bed is the most crucial part of any room. It is the place where you rest at night and where you lounge during the day. The bed is how you start your day and how you put an end to it at night. Where you decide to place your bed can make a huge impact on the way that you begin your day.

There are many ways that people prefer to place their beds. All of them are different, but when done right can all assist those who sleep on them in having a wonderful night of rest. We will go over a few of the most popular locations, which permit the other furniture to space themselves around it.

Against the Wall in the Center

This is perhaps one of the most common places to put a bed in a bedroom. By making the bed the center of the action, all other spacing can branch out from it. You can ensure that your bedroom is as symmetrical as possible by using the bed to judge the balance that has been formed within the space.

To ensure that your bed is spaced correctly, you can take some of the following actions:

• Use a measuring tape to be clear that the wall space on either side of the bed is even
• Keep the bed away from the wall a tiny bit to make sure that any movement you need to make does not scratch the wall
• Measure the bed and mark the space it will go beforehand to keep perfection 

Placing the bed should be the first thing you do thanks to its size. From here, you can judge the rest of your spacing following this object.

Sideways Against the Wall

This is the other method for spacing that many choose to use. Placing the bed against the wall is most common in the bedrooms of children, or in the rooms of those who want to have as much condensed floor space as possible in the center of the room. 

You might choose to press your bed against the wall if:

• You work out in your room and need the floor space
• You want an untraditional method of placement
• You have a lot of items in your room that need the space

If you prefer this method of spacing, there are ways to space your furniture around it in a way that looks natural. Putting the bed sideways against the wall will not take away from the quality of your room arrangement.

Where Should a Lamp Be Placed in a Bedroom?

Though lamps are often afterthoughts in a room, they serve a critical purpose. If a room has inadequate or improper lighting, these items provide an extra layer of light. Placing them correctly is vital because the area in which they cast the most light should be the space you most often need to see.

Generally, there are two spots in a room where a lamp should go. They include:

• On the nightstand or attached to the wall by your bed
• In a corner, if you have a large lamp

The rule of thumb is one lamp per person occupying the room. If someone sleeps in your bed, you should have lamps on both sides. These should be spaced apart enough from furniture that you can turn them on and off without trouble.

Where Should a Chair Be Placed in a Bedroom?

Chairs are another format for lounging inside of your bedroom space. They serve as excellent compliments to the style of your space and keep people from gathering on your bed if you decide to have people inside. Where you put the chair can determine the way that your room operates as a social gathering space and a lounging area. 

Keep on reading to learn about some of the ideal spots in your bedroom for a chair. They all serve different purposes, and one of them is bound to be right for your unique space.

The Corner of the Room

Most chairs sit in the corner of the room. This is due to their size and shape, as most rounded chairs tend to fit smoothly with the sudden connection of corners. Rounded chairs can also soften the room, hiding harsh lines that stand out to viewers of the space. 

When selecting a chair for the corner of your room, you should make sure that:

• It matches the aesthetic of your space
• It is rounded

These items will allow you to create proper spacing between your furniture pieces, as items that go together tend to sort themselves out. Choose a rounded, not squared chair, for this. Place it a few inches away from the wall in the corner and decorate it with pillows as you please.

Underneath a Window

When people lounge in a chair, they are often relaxed in some manner. Putting the chair underneath a window allows access to the warmth of the outside, creating an extra soothing environment for anyone set on resting.

Placing a chair under a window should:

• Be done with at least a foot of space all around it
• Not be higher than the window’s base by much to allow easy access to opening and shutting

If you relax often, placing a chair under the window might be a great idea. This placement allows relaxation that will not put you to sleep. You should space it far enough from the bed that they are two different sections of your room.

Where Should a Sofa Be Placed in a Bedroom?

Some bedroom spaces choose to have a sofa in the layout of the space. It permits an extra area of relaxation and adds a level of class to the bedroom. Since it is such a big piece, it can be tricky to decide where the best spot is.

The placement of a sofa can depend on a lot of factors. We will discuss each one in detail to give you an idea of the steps you can take in your space to ensure that this unique piece of furniture fits perfectly with everything else.

Under a Window

If you have a window in your room, placing the sofa under it can be a great idea. You should first make sure that your bedroom has the space to hold this item. You should have at least two feet of walking room between the sofa and the bed, plus more if you intend to make the most out of the space.

If you have the room, placing the sofa under the window:

• It will provide a warm place to sit when it is sunny
• It will allow for a great way to watch the world outside

You should not press the sofa completely against the wall. Leave a couple of inches to make it more natural and prevent any scratching that might come from the proximity of the furniture to the wall.

Across from Your Bed

If you do not have any other item across from the foot of your bed, placing the sofa against the wall facing it will work well for a couple of reasons. As with the other method, leave enough space for you to walk and to prevent the wall from getting scratched.

Spacing the sofa from the other pieces in this manner will:

• Allow for more practical social situations, where the company can sit on the sofa and some can sit on the bed
• Create a sense of symmetry in the room
• Serve as another bed an appropriate distance away

This is the most common way to place a sofa. This also works if you have the room to place the sofa facing the side of your bed. Again, keep movement in mind. If your room is too small, the spacing will be off and you will not have the room to move about your space as you please.

Where Should a Nightstand Be Placed in a Bedroom?

The nightstand is a piece of furniture that only has one place it should go in a bedroom. You should put it next to your bed, on the side that you sleep. If you have a partner, you might put one on each side for both of you to use.

A nightstand is used to hold items that might come in handy during the night when you do not want to get out of bed. Some of the most common things that are placed on and inside of it include:

• Books that you read during the night and in the morning
• Water for when you get thirsty at the night
• Medication that is taken daily or weekly
• Alarm clocks that are utilized to wake you up every day

Because of the important nature of many of these things, the nightstand should sit close enough to the bed that you can reach it without stretching too far. You want to make sure that it is a few inches away from both the bed and the wall it rests against. Ensure that you still have a good amount of room to get out and into the bed.

Where Should a Desk Be Placed in a Bedroom?

A desk can serve as a workspace in a bedroom, providing a place of focus rather than relaxation. The separation of the desk from other items in the room will allow it to fully blossom into a space for getting things done. However, it can be tricky to know what spot is the best inside of your bedroom.

We will discuss a few placement tips that can assist with the spacing of this item in your bedroom. This is especially handy for students, who are doing more and more work from within the confines of their bedrooms.

Next to the Bed

For those that do not have a nightstand or who only possess a single nightstand, putting the desk next to the bed is a good option for spacing. It will fill the wall nicely by falling a foot or so away from the bed, far enough away that it is not a part of the resting portion of the bedroom. This also often means it is in the corner, out of the way.

By spacing the desk so that it sits a foot or so away from the bed:

• You can use it as a unique nightstand
• You can sit and read close to your bed
• You can eat at the desk rather than risking dirtying your bed
• You can efficiently move to do work from your bed and then back again

Spacing the desk in this manner is both practical and can save you space by acting as another piece of furniture. If you have a room and need a desk, this is a great idea for placement to get the most utility out of your desk. 

In the Corner

Though those who practice the art of Feng Shui for bedroom placement do not recommend this idea, placing a desk in the corner creates a natural separation between work and rest. When you are at the desk, you cannot see your bed. This will help to separate the association in your room and prevent you from mixing up rest and work.

If you choose to place the desk in the corner, ensure that the other furniture in the room is not spaced right next to it. There should be a healthy distance between the desk and other items to embrace this separation as much as possible.

Facing the Window

When you are taking on a hard challenge or a task, there is nothing quite as refreshing as looking at the natural world to clear your mind. One location where you can place your desk for great results is facing a window, where your view when seated is taken up by the glass pane.

In terms of spacing:

• Make sure that you have enough room to pull out your chair comfortably and walk around it
• Leave a small gap between the desk and the wall to avoid scratches
• Keep your resting areas separate from your workspace

As with placing it in the corner, the most important part of putting a desk in a room is making that distinction between work and rest. You do not want to confuse the two. Many items on this list suggest placement under the window, so it is up to you to decide what you prioritize under the window in your room.

Where Should a Bench Be Placed in a Bedroom?

A bench is a longer version of the chair. It can serve as a footrest, seating space, and even a bed if it is long enough. The bench is a versatile piece of furniture that can come in handy in most situations. Because of its many purposes, finding a good spot for the piece is critical.

Two locations serve as the best spots for a bench in a bedroom. In these places, they will be spaced apart from your furniture in a way that will make sure to improve the layout of your room.

At the Foot of the Bed

The foot of the bed is commonplace for a bench to be. It serves as a place for sitting, other than the bed. Like the desk, it creates a sense of separation between the act of settling down for the night and the art of waking up in the morning.

The bench at the foot of the bed:

• Can be pressed upright against it as if it were an extension of the bed
• Should have plenty of space in front of it and on either side

You can use this item to do anything from taking a nap to tying your shoelaces. By clearing the surrounding space, you will have a great area to do a variety of activities throughout your day.

Under the Window

Just like the chairs and sofas that work well underneath the window, a bench will look nice underneath the glass. Its low and straight structure permits it to blend in with its surroundings, meaning that the spacing can be a little tighter than with a couch or a chair.

Placing a bench underneath the window means:

• You have an extra place to lounge during the day
• You can have a place to sit where sunlight hits you all-day

As with the other items, make sure that the bench is a few inches away from the wall and at least a foot from the nearest piece of furniture. It can be close, but to make your room look the best that it can be, each piece needs enough space around them to shine and stand out from the others.

Where Should a Vanity Be Placed in a Bedroom?

Though many just use a bathroom mirror, a vanity is a desk and mirror combination that permits the user to put on makeup with ease. Though it is most common in the bedrooms of teenagers and single adults, anybody can choose to have the striking item inside of their bedroom.

There are a few common places that vanity can go inside of a bedroom. Some of these include:

• The foot of your bed, where the mirror will form a sense of space no matter how big or small your room is
• By the window, which can permit the use of natural light while you are applying makeup
• By the bed, which can also add space and be used when getting ready in the morning
• Next to something like a wardrobe, where the pieces can blend seamlessly

The most critical standard for a vanity is to make sure that you have access to some form of light. If you have a window in your home, do not prevent natural light from reaching the item to create the best possible space for getting ready in the morning.