Small Bedroom Ideas to Make It Look Bigger: 6 Renter Picks, No Drilling

Most “make a small bedroom look bigger” tips assume you can paint, build in shelves or mount furniture to the wall. In a rental you usually can’t. What you can do is bounce light, raise the eye line and clear the floor: a big leaning mirror, curtains hung high and wide, storage under the bed, and lights and shelves that replace a bulky nightstand. These are the six picks we would use, none of which needs a drill in the walls.

Our top picks at a glance

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pick	Best for	Renter-safe / removal	Risk
Arched floor mirror	More light, more space	Leans or stands	Low	Check price
Rolling under-bed storage	A clear floor	Under the bed	Low	Check price
No-drill curtain brackets	Curtains higher and wider	Taps into trim	Low	Check price
White sheer curtains	More daylight	Hangs on your rod	Low	Check price
Rechargeable wall sconce	Bedside light, no cord	Adhesive pad	Low–Med	Check price
Clip-on bedside shelf	No nightstand needed	Clamps on the bed	Low	Check price

We don’t list prices because they change often. Each button opens the current Amazon listing.

The 6 best picks to make a small bedroom look bigger

#1 · Biggest impactDeposit risk: Low

Antok Arched Full Length Floor Mirror with Stand, 71 × 28 in, Black

For: doubling the light and the sense of space. Put it opposite or next to the window.

Why we like it

• Large 71 × 28 in arched mirror with a thin aluminum frame
• Leans on the wall, stands on its own bracket or hangs, per the listing
• The listing says explosion-proof glass. About 3,200 ratings

Why you might skip it

• The priciest pick here
• Heavy and tall: it needs two people to carry upstairs
• A leaning mirror should be secured if you have kids or pets

Renter tip: lean it rather than hang it, and use the stand or a small anti-tip strap if it is in a walkway. Place it where it reflects the window, not the bed.

Check price on AmazonOpens Amazon. Check the current price, size and color options there.

#2 · Best storageDeposit risk: Low

Yecaye Rolling Under Bed Storage Containers with Wheels (2 pack)

For: getting clothes and shoes off the floor and out of sight so the room reads larger.

Why we like it

• Fabric bins on a metal frame with four wheels, two of them locking
• Clear window and labels so you can find things
• About 3,300 ratings

Why you might skip it

• Needs at least 7 in of clearance under the bed
• Fabric won’t keep out moisture in a damp basement room
• Wheels can mark soft flooring if you drag them full

Renter tip: measure under the bed first. If it is too low, swap the bed frame feet for taller risers so storage fits without new furniture.

Check price on AmazonOpens Amazon. Check the current price, size and color options there.

#3 · Best no-drill hackDeposit risk: Low

Kwik-Hang No-Drill Curtain Rod Brackets, 1 in, Black

For: hanging curtains higher and wider than the landlord’s brackets, without drilling into drywall.

Why we like it

• Taps into the top corners of the window trim with a hammer, per the listing
• Holds up to 20 lb, so it handles lined curtains
• About 6,500 ratings and made in the USA

Why you might skip it

• Needs a window with wood trim at the corners
• Leaves tiny marks in the trim when you remove it
• Mounts at the trim, so the rod can only go as high as the frame allows

Renter tip: extend the rod 8–12 in past each side of the window so the panels stack on the wall, not the glass. Our Window Planner works out the rod width.

Check price on AmazonOpens Amazon. Check the current price, size and color options there.

#4 · Best light boostDeposit risk: Low

NICETOWN White Sheer Voile Curtains, 54 × 84 in (2 panels)

For: softening the light and making the window look wider without blocking daylight.

Why we like it

• Light, airy voile that filters sun and keeps some privacy
• Grommet top slides easily on any standard rod
• Nearly 28,000 ratings at a very low price

Why you might skip it

• Sheer only. Layer with blackout panels if you need sleep darkness
• 84 in may be short if the rod sits near the ceiling. Check the length
• Wrinkles out of the package. Steam or hang for a day

Renter tip: hang the rod as high as you can and let the panels just touch the floor. A taller curtain makes a low ceiling look higher.

Check price on AmazonOpens Amazon. Check the current price, size and color options there.

#5 · Frees the nightstandDeposit risk: Low–Med

Koopala Rechargeable LED Wall Sconce with Magnetic Head

For: bedside light with no cord and no table lamp, so a tiny nightstand (or none) is enough.

Why we like it

• Touch control with 3 brightness levels and 3 color temperatures
• The head is magnetic, rotates 360° and lifts off to charge or use as a flashlight
• About 9,000 ratings

Why you might skip it

• Mounts with an adhesive pad, which can lift paint if you pull it off fast
• Battery lasts up to 20 hours on low, about 6 on high
• Not bright enough to light the whole room

Renter tip: stick the adhesive plate on smooth, cured paint and remove it by stretching the pad slowly along the wall. Check your wall first with our Deposit-Safe Checker.

Check price on AmazonOpens Amazon. Check the current price, size and color options there.

#6 · Best nightstand swapDeposit risk: Low

Modern Innovations Clip-On Bedside Shelf with Cup Holder and Cord Slot

For: bedrooms where a nightstand blocks the door or the walkway.

Why we like it

• Clamps onto the bed frame, with no wall contact
• Spill-proof cup holder and a cord slot for your charger
• About 6,200 ratings

Why you might skip it

• Fits bed rails and frames, not every upholstered bed
• Small surface: phone, glasses and a drink
• Plastic look is practical rather than pretty

Renter tip: without a nightstand, a small bedroom gets back a foot or more of floor on each side of the bed, which is often what makes the door swing freely.

Check price on AmazonOpens Amazon. Check the current price, size and color options there.

Buying guide: make a small bedroom look bigger in a rental

1. Bounce the light

A big mirror next to or opposite the window and sheer curtains instead of heavy ones fill a small bedroom with daylight. Light rooms read bigger than dark ones of the same size.

2. Raise the eye line

• Hang curtains high and wide, close to the ceiling and past the window frame.
• Use a tall mirror rather than a wide one.
• Keep art and shelves above eye level to a minimum so walls stay calm.

3. Clear the floor

Every visible floor tile makes the room feel larger. Move clothes and shoes under the bed, and swap bulky nightstands for wall lights and a clip-on shelf.

Small bedroom upgrades and your deposit: move-out

• No-drill brackets: pull them out gently and fill the tiny marks in the trim with a dab of wood filler or caulk.
• Adhesive sconce pads: stretch the pad slowly along the wall rather than pulling it out toward you.
• Curtains: put back the original rod or blinds if you took them down. Keep them in a labeled bag.
• Photograph the walls and trim before and after.

Free tools to plan your space

Going for a cozier look instead? See our black bedroom ideas without paint.

More small bedroom ideas

Skip these if you rent

Building in wardrobes, mounting floating nightstands, painting the ceiling, wall-mounted desks and drilling shelves above the bed show up in lots of small bedroom photos. In a rental they mean patching, repainting or a deduction. The picks above get you more light and floor space with nothing drilled into the walls.

FAQ