If you’re constantly trying to avoid your cramped bedroom — or if there’s just not enough room for you and all of your stuff — maybe it’s time to make some changes.

Open up your space and create a welcoming bedroom by staying cool, calm and collected.

Start weeding

“People tend to hang onto things they don’t necessarily need, such as too much furniture and accessories,” said Katie Hixon, owner of Katie Hixon Interiors Inc. in Columbus, Ohio. Take a thorough look at what’s in your bedroom and keep things to a minimum. For those items you just can’t let go of, consider storing them on permanent or temporary shelves in closets. And when your closets are full, remember the space under your bed.

“For single or full-sized beds, you might try raising the bed up to create more room for boxes and crates,” said Marcia Connors, co-owner of Growing Space Interior Design in Canton, Mass.

Chill out

While you don’t have to paint the walls white to make a room feel spacious, Hixon said dark hues can pull the walls in.

“The conventional wisdom is that light colors make things look bigger,” said Connors. “Plus, physiologically, cool colors are more restful, since they make blood pressure and body temperature go down.”

Opting for light blues or light greens might be better choices than oranges, purples or reds, which increase blood pressure and body temperature, she said.

Pull it together

According to Connors, less furniture is best in small rooms.

“However, some people have their home office, TVs, reading area or exercise equipment in their bedroom since they don’t have other areas to put them,” she said. In this case, she suggested keeping fabrics and furniture coordinated to give everything a unified look.

Lighten up

Incorporating well-balanced lighting can really open up a small space, said Hixon. “Place several lamps throughout the room — maybe put a petite lamp on each side of the bed and a few larger ones in the corners of the room for consistency.”

If you have overhead light, Connors said a white ceiling fan with lights against a white ceiling can make a room feel larger.

Remember to utilize your windows too, said Hixon.

“Let natural light in by keeping window treatments lighter weight and more minimal,” she said.

“They can still be full length with a privacy option, just not heavy to the point that they overcome the entire room.”