Alcove beds are an excellent choice for those seeking to accommodate guests in a small room. They can be single beds or bunks. Many interior designers like incorporating alcove beds as they are whimsical and practical. Grey Joyner, founder of Grey Joyner Interiors, says so. Below, we explore the alcove bed design process and showcase 16 stunning alcove bed setups.
How to Design an Alcove Bed
Curtains not only add privacy as desired but also complement the room’s color scheme beautifully. Designing an alcove bed with a bold color choice can create a striking visual impact, even with darker hues. Anastasia Casey’s ‘Colorful Escape’ design and Madeline Harper’s photography showcase this concept. ‘Bright and Sunny Alcove Bed’ by Marnie Custom Homes, photographed by Dana Hoff, demonstrates how a window nook can serve as an ideal spot for a cozy alcove bed. Natural light is enhanced with a hanging fixture, described by Marnie Oursler as ‘jewelry or earrings of a space,’ with a coastal sconce adding a fun touch. ‘Serene Stripes’ by Marnie Custom Homes, again captured by Dana Hoff, features an alcove bed under the stairs in a beachfront home. It’s crucial for such a central alcove bed to integrate well with its surroundings, as explained by Oursler, with the bedding cover matching the front door color and the sconce’s jute texture complementing the stair railing’s light oak wood. Laura Fox Interior Design’s ‘Alcove Bunk Bed,’ photographed by Stacy Zarin Goldberg, offers ample space for three and includes small shelves for easy access to books and essentials, adding decorative flair to the sleeping nook. When placing alcove beds under stairwells, Marnie Custom Homes’ Oursler recommends allocating three feet for headspace on one end, as the slanted end is typically for the feet and requires less space. Newfield Design Inc’s ‘Multifunctional Sofa Spot’ emphasizes the importance of precise measurements when placing a sleeper sofa in an alcove. Morgan Newfield stresses that a half-inch discrepancy can render a piece unusable, and a small table behind the sofa provides storage for decor and guests’ belongings. GordonDunning’s ‘Monochromatic Blue Alcove Bed,’ photographed by Jeff Herr, features beautiful blues that create a cozy cottage feel, cohesive with the home’s aesthetic, as Cate Dunning used darker colors for this purpose. Blackberry Farm Design’s ‘Small Alcove Bed,’ captured by Sarah Rau, shows that a twin-sized alcove bed fits well in a small, rustic space, proving that simplicity in sleep setup is not a drawback.
Alcove beds are a creative solution for small spaces, offering both style and functionality. Let’s explore 16 unique alcove bed designs that can inspire your home decor.
11/16 Closed Off Alcove Bed:
Designed by Vernich Interiors and photographed by Caroline Sharpnack, this alcove bed is cleverly separated from the main sleeping area with curtains. This design allows for privacy when guests visit and ensures the bedroom looks cohesive with a matching pattern on the curtains and bedding.
12/16 Boho-Style Alcove Bed:
Pillar & Peacock designed this boho-style alcove bed, capturing a light and airy ambiance. The space is layered with multiple textures and neutrals, unified by a consistent color palette.
13/16 Handy Shelves:
@patriciamcdonaghdesign on Instagram showcases built-in shelves behind an alcove bed, perfect for storing toys, games, and books.
14/16 Alcove Bed With a View:
Featured on @my_diy_era Instagram, this alcove bed is enhanced with a wall sconce by the headboard, making it convenient for late-night reading. Its position under a window offers a view or allows for the installation of curtains for privacy.
15/16 Alcove Bed With Nooks:
Blackberry Farm Design, captured by Sarah Rau, presents an alcove bed with an indented wall nook.
16/16 Subtle Hues:
Marnie Custom Homes, photographed by Keyanna Bowen, offers a design where the alcove bed subtly blends into the room. A neutral bedding scheme, inspired by gray tones, ensures the bed is an understated part of the decor.