Are you in the middle of planning a bedroom remodel? For many college students, classes start in less than a month. That means parents everywhere are considering how to use that extra space now that the young have flown the coop. Increasing the size of the bedroom is a great use of that space, especially if you have your eye on one particular bedroom set.
Of the many decisions that have to be made during a remodel, choosing the right size of your room could be tricky. Since you’re starting from scratch, you can afford to take furniture into consideration when deciding on the size of the room. This is something that is often overlooked, but it is an important part of your overall design plan.
Pieces of furniture in a complete bedroom set
Everyone knows a bedroom set includes a bed, including frame, headboard, and footboard. And, of course, you’ll need a mattress and box spring from another brand. (Although you can find the complete bed at online furniture stores.) Most people also assume that a bed set will come with at least one nightstand and a dresser or chest of drawers.
Some of the other pieces you might see in the same collection include:
- Additional nightstand
- Optional mirrors that attach to dressers
- Floor mirrors
- Chest of drawers
- Media chest
- Armoire
- Bedroom bench or storage ottoman
You may want to look within the same brand for a similar living room set. From that collection, you can choose an accent chair and side table or a desk and stately chair to complete the room.
How complete do you want your bedroom?
If you want to get the basic bedroom set, you’ll only need an average of 120 square feet to accommodate a full-size bed, nightstand, and dresser. If you have a larger bed that can increase the necessary space to 132-144 depending on the size. Of course, adding vanities, armoires, media chests, and other large optional bedroom furniture pieces will add to the necessary space as well.
If you would also like to add a desk and chair for recording private thoughts or a reading area with an accent chair and side table, you will probably want to make your master bedroom about 150 square feet or more.
This is why your bedroom remodel is the perfect opportunity to get the bedroom of your dreams. By knocking down a non-load-bearing wall and joining two rooms together, you can create a master bedroom suite that will rival that of anyone you know.
Tips for choosing bedroom size
To sum up, here are the best tips to follow when choosing your bedroom size before starting your remodel.
- Decide what pieces of bedroom furniture you would get the most use out of.
- Find the brand and collection you like best by browsing online for a complete bedroom set.
- Check the technical specifications of all of the furniture you want carefully. You might want to use an interior design app to play with the dimensions and see what will and won’t fit with different room sizes.
- Make sure you allow room for unhindered movement throughout the room. If you expect those with mobility devices to use or visit the bedroom, make sure you leave a path of at least 36 inches.
- Calculate the square footage required to accommodate the furniture you have already chosen.
When in doubt, always make the bedroom bigger than you might need. If you end up with a lot of open floor space, use it as an opportunity to entertain and buy a good air mattress for use with guests as well.
Working with your interior designer and remodeling contractor
It is best to get a second opinion (and a third opinion) when choosing the size of your new bedroom. Your remodeling contractor or architect is experienced in designing master bedroom suites and can work within whatever constraints you give them.
Your interior designer should also be in on the conversation, because they may have point that you haven’t yet considered. Since you pay for every additional square foot constructed or remodeled, it makes sense to get it right the first time and avoid unnecessary space.