How to Arrange Bedroom Furniture With a Bed in the Center of the Room

Maintain Walkways

• Keeping the natural pathways in the room clear is essential to a cohesive design. With the bed in the center of the room, you’ll need to maintain a minimum of 24-inches of clear space around it. Center the bed so that it doesn’t block any doorways, especially the entrance and, if applicable, the door to the bathroom. Keep these walkways in mind when placing the rest of your furniture as well; even the edge of a dresser encroaching on the open path between the entrance door and the bed makes the space feel cramped and poorly laid out.

Positioning Furniture Around the Bed

• There is a reason that bedside tables are placed on either side of a bed: coupled with the headboard, it creates a triangular shape that’s pleasing to the eye. Float the side tables along with the bed to anchor it, or opt for a headboard that is wider than the mattress. Have wiring run to the underside of the bed for lamps. Most head boards aren’t meant to be seen from behind, so place a long console table, shelving, small sofa or a dresser behind the bed for a finished look. Between the headboard and the furniture placed behind the bed you create a semi-built-in look that fits well with traditional decor. If you prefer a minimalist approach, a platform bed floating with low profile nightstands, or no side tables at all, is crisp and simple.

Avoiding a Boxy Look

• When a bed floats, having too many pieces around the perimeter of the room can make the space feel closed in. Place a dresser or armoire inside of your closet to minimize the amount of pieces in the main living area. Tuck a taller chest in a corner and place a long, low dresser across from the bed or along a side wall if that works better with your layout. Leave as much wall space free as possible, angling out seating or even floating another piece if you have enough square footage.

Placing Remaining Furniture

• Keep the space visually interesting and balanced by staggering the heights of the bedroom furniture as you create your layout. Instead of pairing two same-height chests adjacent to each other, place them on opposite sides of the room, with a lower profile piece, such as a chaise lounge or cedar chest, in between. This keeps the eye moving as it strays from the focal point of the bed, and prevents the space from feeling too “heavy” on one side.