Make a Living Room Into a Bedroom: 8 Steps That Work

To make a living room into a bedroom, measure the room, put the bed on the wall that sees the door without facing it, block the light, soften the sound, add closed storage and separate the sleeping zone from the rest. That is the whole plan, and it works in a studio, a guest setup or a long-term change.

It's a common situation, so don't feel you're cutting corners. A living room is built for talking and screens, and a bedroom needs calm. Here is a simple living room makeover plan in eight steps that handles that switch.

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Step 1: Measure the room and pick the bed wall

Start with a tape measure and painter's tape. A queen bed with walking space fits comfortably in a room about 10 by 10 feet, and you can go smaller if you accept tighter paths. Tape the bed outline on the floor before you buy or move anything.

Try to avoid putting the head of the bed on the same wall as the entry door. People tend to sleep more easily when they can see the door from bed without being in line with it. Also check where the vents are. A draft across the pillow gets old fast, and a small plastic deflector can redirect it.

Step 2: Keep the walking paths clear

Leave about 30 inches on at least one side and at the foot of the bed. With a large dog, I'd go to about 36 inches so nobody bumps the nightstand on the turn. Tape the paths, walk them, and carry a laundry basket through. If you turn sideways to pass the bed corner, the layout is too tight.

Step 3: Block the light

Living rooms often have the biggest windows in the house, which is lovely at noon and a problem at 6 a.m. Hang a blackout or cellular shade, then add heavy drapery over it. Extend the rod about 10-12 inches beyond the frame on each side so the curtains stack off the glass by day and overlap the edges at night. If you want more detail on hanging them, see keeping curtains closed and hanging curtains with clips.

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Step 4: Soften the sound

Wood floors, glass tables and little upholstery make a room echo. Put a large rug under the bed so it extends past both sides and the foot, and add fabric wherever you can: curtains, an upholstered headboard, a padded bench.

If a dog sleeps in the room, skip viscose and silk rugs, which stain easily. Solution-dyed acrylic or polypropylene rugs are easier to scrub after an accident.

Step 5: Choose the bed and storage

A permanent bed beats a Murphy bed or sleeper sofa if you have the floor area, since a bed you have to lower every night tends to stay down anyway. Stop at a queen in most converted rooms. A California king will swallow the space.

Living rooms rarely have closets, so add a closed wardrobe. I recommend one that is tall, around 84 inches, so it reads as built-in instead of temporary. Open clothing racks add visual noise; if you need one, hide it behind a screen or curtain. A storage bench at the foot of the bed holds shoes and gives you a place to sit.

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Step 6: Separate the sleeping zone

In an open plan, a physical divider tells your brain you've entered a private area. An open-back bookcase set perpendicular to the wall defines the edge while letting light through. Fill the lower shelves with baskets and leave the upper ones sparse.

A ceiling-mounted curtain track takes no floor space. Choose a heavy fabric so it hangs straight and cuts some sound. The same logic applies to an entry, covered in creating a foyer in an open living room.

Step 7: Change the lighting

Turn off the big overhead light as your main source. Use lamps that sit near eye level when you're sitting up in bed. With no room for nightstands, plug-in wall sconces work well and suit renters. Use warm white bulbs around 2700K in the evening; cooler bulbs contain more blue light, which keeps you alert.

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Step 8: Pick colors with the 60-30-10 rule

What is the 60-30-10 rule for living rooms, and does it apply to a bedroom? Yes. Use one dominant color for roughly six parts of the room (walls, big rug), a second for about three (bedding, curtains), and an accent for about one (pillows, art). Keep the dominant color calm.

Balance matters because, as the NYIAD design article on interior makeovers puts it, color adds visual weight the way a large object does, so too much in one place throws off the balance. Don't pile all your saturated color on one wall.

Finishing touches for a small room

Small living room makeover ideas that also work here are mostly cheap: linen or brushed cotton bedding, paintable cord covers for extension cords, and a ramp or steps for a dog who jumps onto a high bed (check with your vet if your dog has joint trouble). Loose cords make a room feel temporary, so hide them.

If you're after how to decorate a living room with simple things, a lamp, a tray and a plant on the nightstand does the job. To see how a rear-wall mirror affects the room, read how to cover a bedroom mirror, and for a related guide, see how to make a living room into a bedroom.

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Frequently asked questions