The bed is the focal point of most bedrooms. That is why it is important to make sure it is positioned for optimal space and use. Learn more.

Moving into a new bedroom is fun and exciting. You get to deck it out in all your stuff and make the space yours. It’s an opportunity to express your personality through your bedroom decor, color choices, and furnishings. The big decision to make when moving into a new bedroom, or getting a new bed, is where to put it. Bed placement in rooms is something that can affect the entire feel of the room.

It’s also fun to switch things up in your current bedroom from time to time. Even if you aren’t getting a new bed, you can move your bed around to see how different positions make the room feel. The most ideal bed position can be different for everyone. Some people prefer to sleep by the window while others may prefer to have their bed facing the door. Luckily, it’s easy to find out which bed placement in rooms you prefer. All you have to do is move the bed around!

As for which of the places in your room you can position your bed, there are five main positions. Each of these positions listed is going to give a different vibe to your room. Try a few of them to find the best position for your bed. Keep in mind, some of these will depend on your bedroom furniture, the size of your bedroom, and your mattress size.

Bed Position 1: Centered

Room designers and interior decorators say the centered position is the ideal place to position a bed. The centered position is when you place your bed in the center of the longest wall in the room. Since the bed is your largest and most important piece of bedroom furniture, it serves as the focal point of the room. Positioning your bed in the centered position has several benefits.

Designers and decorators both agree that you create focus in the room when the bed is centered. Having your bed in the center of the longest wall also gives you the opportunity to create symmetry and balance. This can be achieved by placing matching end tables on each side of the bed. You can also add matching lamps on top of either end table. This adds to the symmetrical design. It’s a great example of how bed placement in rooms can have such powerful impacts.

Although there are several benefits to putting your bed in the centered position, it’s not ideal in all bedrooms. Bedrooms with exposed ductwork, water pipes, or gas pipes can sometimes have them run-in cup the longest wall. If they are, there’s a chance they may be noisy. In this case, the noise may interrupt sleep, which is something you definitely don’t want. Also, the aesthetic of the bedroom can be thrown off if the longest wall runs adjacent to the door. This makes the bed block some of the visual space and is not recommended by decorators.

Bed Position 2: Corner

Positioning your bed in the corner of the room can be unique. The corner can be an excellent bed placement in rooms with limited space. It might even be necessary for bedrooms with radiators, lots of windows, fireplaces, and other potential features. There are two different ways to position your bed in a corner. You can put it up against both walls, tucking it directly in the corner. The other way is to angle it where the foot of the bed faces the opposite corner of the room.

Placing your bed in the corner is also great if you have two beds in one room. You can position bed one in the corner and position bed two in the opposite corner. This is usually done when you position bed one where two sides are against the wall. You can position bed two with two sides against the wall as well. This makes for more space in the room and can separate sides of the room.

The corner position does come with some drawbacks. If you choose to tuck it directly in the corner, there’s only one way in and out of the bed. This isn’t ideal for couples or for people who share a bed. It also can be challenging to set it up in a practical way. The space behind the bed is somewhat wasted. You can balance the space out by putting a shelf, screen, or some sort of curtain behind the bed as a backdrop.

Bed Position 3: Under The Window

Placing your bed directly under the window is one of the least common positions. With your head under the window, you don’t get an outside view from your bed. You may have other windows you can see out of, but drafts of air from windows can make for cold nights and a  less comfortable sleeping environment.

Another reason positioning your bed under the window isn’t recommended is because of the light. Even if you have full blackout curtains, unless you have them affixed to the wall, you may be awakened by the natural light that shines through the cracks. Because light regulates our sleep cycles, being exposed to light, even if it’s a nearby streetlight, can impact your sleep quality.

Even though it’s not common, sometimes positioning your bed under the window is what makes the most sense. It might be the only spot where your bed fits, or maybe it’s directly across from that fireplace you’ve always wanted in the bedroom. In these cases, placing your bed under the window can work well.

Bed Position 4: Opposite Of The Door

Positioning your bed opposite of the door is another uncommon position. Believers of Feng Shui stress the importance of bed placement in rooms. It is said that a bed aligned opposite fo the door creates negative energy. This can drain your strength and energy during the night and is a big reason it’s not recommended for optimum room energy. It can also create a feeling of being vulnerable.

For these reasons, many room designers don’t recommend this position. If you can avoid placing the bed directly opposite of the door, like diagonally from the door, it’s better than being directly across from it.

Sometimes you might not have any other options. In that case, interior decorators recommend creating happy and positive vibes to combat any potential negative energy. You can add positive vibes to your bedroom by using bright colors like yellow and orange that represent warmth and happiness. This will help the room feel cozier as well.

Bed Position 5: Bed Island

Having your bed in the center of the room as an island is a unique and somewhat challenging position. The island bedroom layout is usually only used in large rooms with lots of space. Aspects of it do go against traditional design elements, but there are benefits to the bed island.

Without the bed being surrounded by walls, it creates a sense of flow in the room. One tip from professional designers is to place the bed on a rug with a fun pattern. You can also add a decorative headboard. Both of these methods work to ground your bed to the center of the room and help achieve that sense of flow.

Ultimately, where you position your bed depends on the features and space of the room, the furniture you have, and the size of your bed. Be sure to check out our mattress sizing guide to get the exact dimensions of your mattress, or to figure out the best size for you to get next.