This clever wall panelling trick can instantly make a small bedroom look larger, according to interior designers

When it comes to decorating, every room has its own unique plus points and challenges, and that's where a little interior design know-how can make all the difference to a successful decor scheme.

When it comes to my small bedroom, like many of us, my particular design challenges are all about maximizing space; both creating literal space via clever storage ideas and conjuring visual space to make my bedroom look and feel as large as it can.

Luckily, when it comes to small bedroom ideas, interior designers have plenty of clever tricks up their sleeves, and there's one particular trick that utilises a decorating trend you may have thought you couldn't incorporate into a small bedroom: wall panelling ideas.

This is the secret tongue-and-groove formula that interior designers use to create the illusion of more space in a bijou bedroom.

How panelling can make a small bedroom look bigger

In a small bedroom, it's understandable to be wary of adding anything to the walls that can take up extra space, so you'd be forgiven for thinking that bedroom wall panelling ideas were reserved only for those with plenty of square meterage to play with.

However, as Katerina Tchevytchalova, founder of interior design studio K’Arte Design, explains, 'when used thoughtfully, panelling can actually make a small bedroom feel larger rather than smaller.'

And as our experts reveal, this is especially true if you choose to panel the wall directly behind your bed.

'The bed is naturally the room's focal point, so highlighting this wall creates a sense of intention and visual order, making the space feel calmer and less cluttered,' explains Katerina.

'Panelling can be a great way to add architectural interest to a small bedroom without introducing visual clutter,' agrees Carina Raymond, founder of interior design studio Studio Raymond.

'A well-designed panelled wall behind the bed creates a focal point that naturally draws the eye forward, helping the room feel more intentional and considered,' explains Carina.

'Rather than making the space feel busy, it can actually bring a sense of order and structure, which often makes a smaller room feel larger and more refined.'

However, the key to using tongue-and-groove panelling to make a small bedroom look bigger isn't simply down to where you put the panelling in the room.

Yes, all our interior experts agree that creating a feature wall behind the bed is the best placement for panelling in a small bedroom, but there are also some other tricks to consider if you really want to maximise the visual effect.

Firstly, 'consider what type of panelling you are using,' says Lara Clarke, founder of interior design studio Lara Clarke Interiors. 'Vertical tongue and groove can draw the eye upwards to make the space seem higher.'

'Vertical panelling can be particularly effective, as it naturally draws the eye upwards and helps create the illusion of higher ceilings,' agrees Carina.

'I’d also take the panelling all the way to the ceiling to maximise the sense of height of the room,' adds Katerina.

Next, consider the style of panelling you opt for. 'I would avoid overly ornate or heavily detailed panelling in a small bedroom,' says Carina. 'Instead, opt for simpler profiles that add texture without overwhelming the space.'

'Keep the panelling profile simple,' agrees Katerina. 'Clean lines are generally more effective than highly ornate mouldings in compact spaces.

So, to maximise the sense of space in a small bedroom, we want vertical panels with a simple, clean-lined profile and to extend the panelling all the way to the ceiling.

But there is also another panelling trick the designers have up their sleeves, which can create even more visual space in the room.

'Colour drenching is one of my favourite techniques for making a room feel larger and more cohesive,' says Carina, and it's a great trick to pair with a panelled feature wall in a small bedroom.

'Painting the panelling in the same colour as the surrounding walls allows the eye to move seamlessly around the room without interruption,' explains Carina.

'Rather than highlighting where the walls begin and end, it softens the boundaries of the space and creates a more enveloping feel.'

'Colour drenching is one of the most effective ways to visually expand a compact room,' agrees Katerina.

'Painting the panelling the same colour as the surrounding walls allows it to add texture without creating harsh visual breaks. A seamless colour palette softens the edges of the room, helping the walls recede and making the space feel larger.

Plus, as Carina points out, 'the beauty of panelling is that even when it's painted the same colour as the walls, the shadows and subtle changes in depth still provide plenty of interest and character.'

I don't know about you, but I'm certainly now convinced that panelling is the way forward in my small bedroom.

And, thanks to our design experts' top tips, I now know exactly how to ensure this design choice adds visual space, rather than reducing it.