An online lifestyle magazine for Christian women
My family and I live in a one-story ranch-style home. Our rooms are all on the small side, so decorating and organizing this space has been a challenge over the last five years. We’ve been through many iterations of each room as our needs and the size of our family has changed. Through this process, I’ve picked up a lot of interior design tips for small spaces.
You can really turn a small home into a comfortable and beautiful haven if you take your time and are thoughtful with your décor. If you have a tiny space, this post will help you find creative ways to maximize storage and style. Here are my best tips for small spaces.
With a small space, you can’t afford to decorate with furniture that is pretty but has no storage. An example is the black console table I used to have in my living room, shown above on the left. The small drawer didn’t hold much. The secretary desk I use now, above right, is home to my keys, laptop, and stationery.
Opt for pieces that can store a lot, and come up with creative solutions such as a storage ottoman or a bed with drawers, or even under the bed boxes. You could even try a pull-out Murphy bed in a small bedroom. You can’t afford to waste any space when you live in a tiny home.
Along with having lots of storage is organizing it well. I actually have a lot of possessions in my small home, but it’s organized so well that it doesn’t look cluttered. Keep your home tidy and neat, because clutter in a small space spells stress!
If possible, try to minimize the number of things you own to avoid the clutter getting out of control. I regularly go through my things and purge what I do not need. If there’s no space for it in my home, the headache is not worth having an extra possession to keep track of.
Lean into a small space by creating a warm and cozy nest. Select warmer colors, moody lighting, and lots of texture. This will create a comfortable space where the smallness is actually inviting.
Mirrors reflect light and make a space appear larger, so add a gorgeous mirror to your small space. Just don’t go overboard with mirrors, as too many reflective surfaces can end up looking trippy.
If your room gets a lot of natural light, let that shine in, because it will make the space appear bigger. In our living room we get tons of light in the morning, so I open the blinds and opt for light filtering curtains that don’t block the sunlight.
If your room does not get good light, create a cozy vibe with artificial lighting. Select warmer bulbs and plenty of table lamps or sconces to adequately light the room.
A common design rule is that lighter colors make a space feel bigger and darker colors make a space smaller. I say it depends on the vibe you want. Dark colors in a small space can read cozy, just make sure you have good lighting.
Be sure to test your paint colors in your small space at all times of day before committing to a color. My first attempt at painting our bedroom, above, I used white paint because I thought it would make the room bigger, but in the dark it actually made my walls look boring and grey. A pale green color called Copper Patina ended up being a better selection for a small dark room. It created a comfy vibe, and I get compliments on this color all the time!
You can still be a maximalist with your accessories, even in a small home. But it’s important to be choosy with those accessories and pick ones that really make an impact and have a place to rest. These days, I only add to my collection of accessories when it’s something that I truly love. I have no space for mediocre decor!
Do you have a small home, or perhaps a small room in your home that is a challenge to decorate? Apply these tips to improve the look and feel of the tiniest of spaces.
What are your favorite interior design tips for small spaces? Share them in the comments!
Lauren Magazine is an online lifestyle magazine for Christian women.
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