By Rachael Thompson Interiors 09.12.2023

18 Small-Space Styling Secrets Interior Designers Know (That You Don't)

Small but mighty ideas you (probably) haven't considered.

Styling a small home certainly comes with its challenges. Whether it's because of storage constraints or limited square footage, a tiny home might mean you can't have that kitchen island or statement chair you've fallen in love with on Instagram.

However, if you've ever watched an episode of Grand Designs, you'll know limited space encourages creativity in design. It forces you to approach challenges in a different way, with often outstanding results.

Interior designers and stylists know the tips and tricks that can lead to unique and personalised living spaces, no matter the square footage. But what are they exactly?

Below, we're looking at some small-space styling tips that can maximise a room's functionality without sacrificing aesthetics.

1. Hanging your curtains above your window

A simple and affordable way to make a small space look bigger is by installing your curtain rods close to the ceiling rather than just where your window ends. "Including longer and wider curtains is a great way to make a smaller bedroom or space feel more spacious," shares interior designer Jenn Bliss. This is because it draws the eye upward, giving the illusion of higher ceilings and in turn, a larger room. "We love to use darker colour rods as well to draw the eye as high as possible."

For maximum effect, extend the curtain rod beyond the window (approximately 7-14 cm on each side) to make the window appear larger when the curtains are open.

"Or, you can even go a step further and cover the entire wall with a curtain from floor to ceiling. It will instantly trick the eye, and make your window look even larger," shares interior designer Tim Neve.

2. Clear furniture

Whether it's glass or acrylic, clear furniture such as a coffee table, bedside table, or desk, can be functional but disappear into the background (in the best way possible). These transparent pieces will help make your room a little bit bigger because they take up minimal visual space. "Retro designers knew this well," says Tim. "Hunt through antique and thrift stores for mid-century gems made of coloured or clear perspex and glass, to ensure your furniture choices - even though transparent - still exude personality."

3. Ditch dining table chairs for stools or a built-in bench seat

If your dining area is confined to a small nook, choosing stackable stools or a built-in bench seat as a practical solution. They occupy less space compared to traditional dining chairs but fulfill the same function. Additionally, having extra stools that can be easily stacked is convenient when entertaining guests in your living room and you require additional seating options.

"One of the best decisions we made at Talm Beach House was incorporating an 'L shaped' built-in bench seat in the corner of the room instead of using dining table chairs all the way around," explains Jenn. "This allowed us to push the dining table as close to the wall as possible which gave us more room and space in the living areas. It creates the illusion that the room/space is bigger than what it really is."

4. Use a side table as your coffee table

If your living room is too small to fit a coffee table, you can opt for a side table to store your TV remote or decorative items on. For functionality, side tables should be about the same height as the sofa arms so items on the table are easy to access.

"Cluster a group of side tables or stools as your coffee table, and then easily split them apart when guests come over as seating," says Tim.

5. Choose low-profile furniture

Furniture that sits lower to the ground can help create a sense of openness in a space. This is because they don't obstruct sightlines across the room as much as taller furniture. This can create a more expansive and uninterrupted view, giving the illusion of a larger space.

"I love selecting furniture pieces that don’t obstruct each other, over power another piece or block a beautiful view or window. Lower-lying pieces make the room feel larger and more inviting," says Jenn.

6. Choose adjustable floor lamps

“Lighting is a fundamental and often overlooked aspect of the home,” design duo Josh & Matt share with Bed Threads. The interior stylists avoid… The couple avoid using downlights as much as possible because they create harsh lighting and do little to bring ambience to a room.

For small rooms, it might be tempting to ditch floor lamps in order to save space, but then you're left with the dreaded downlights. Instead, opt for a lamp with adjustable height settings because they allow you to direct the light where it's needed most, and save you the having to buy multiple lamps for around the room.

Floor lamps with a small base are also good if you've got limited square footage.

7. Sliding doors over swinging doors

Eliminate the swing and install sliding doors to your bathroom or bedroom. Sliding doors are a great way to create privacy and divide spaces without taking up additional floorspace or obstructing other items. Paint them the same colour as your walls so as not to break up the line of vision.

8. Rotate your decor items

To avoid a cluttered look, rotate your favourite decor items every few weeks rather than trying to display them all at once.

"You can actually spark joy by curating your decorative and eclectic loose items into storage units such as sideboards, credenzas, and buffets," says interior designer Dani Dean. "Housing an array of items within a designated space will declutter utilitarian surfaces and help keep your home tidy."

And, of course, any items that don't spark joy anymore should go straight to the donate pile!

9. Invest in a reupholstered ottoman

A reupholstered ottoman wears many hats in your living room; it's a coffee table, a footrest, and even extra seating – genius! "Ottomans are an easy item to upcycle yourself with a square of fabric and a staple gun, to give them a new look and lease of life," says Tim.

10. Mirrors are a must

Living in a compact home without mirrors in most rooms means you're overlooking a valuable trick! "Mirrors have the ability to reframe a space and give it a new dimension," shares Ella Barba of Home Snob.

Mirrors can cleverly give the impression that your room is more spacious than it truly is, making them a handy solution for petite spaces.

One of the best things you can do to make a small bedroom look bigger is to install mirrored wardrobe doors. Extra points if they are sliding doors as well.

11. Use large, not small rugs

Small space, small items, right? Wrong! When you use a small rug in a small space, that's exactly what you will see; a small space. If you opt for a large rug it will trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it really is.

"Always make sure your rug is large enough for at least the front two legs of your sofa to easily fit on it. Otherwise, it will end up feeling floating and detached from the rest of the furniture in the room," explains Tim.

12. Utilise windowsills

Every surface can be used in a small space to either store items or display things such as pot plants or candles. You might be overlooking one important surface in your home – the windowsill. Not only is it a perfect sunny spot for your leafy companions, but it's also not going to intrude on any precious floor space.

13. Upsize your duvet

When it comes to your bedroom, upsizing your duvet is the simple trick that can make a big difference. Many beds showcased in magazines or on Instagram are photographed with an oversized duvet. This technique enables the duvet to drape over the bed's edges or even reach the floor, creating the illusion of a larger bed size.

14. Make a statement with big art

While we're typically advised to use small artworks in compact spaces, embracing large-scale artworks can effectively maximise your small space. Instead of dispersing several small pieces on the wall, choose a single large artwork to adorn your compact area. This approach not only introduces drama but also establishes a striking focal point.

15. Choose a round dining table

Round tables are a smart choice for small dining rooms because they can better fit into compact spaces. They also promote conversation and help create a warm atmosphere for gatherings.

16. Place large furniture pieces against walls

When it comes to utilising space in your living room and bedroom, place the largest pieces of furniture on the perimeters. This will keep them out of the way of the traffic pattern. Tip: Always put your sofa on the longest wall.

17. Ditch the bed frame for a bedhead

Don't have enough space for a bedframe but feel like your bedroom looks unpolished? Never fear. A bedhead is a great option for small rooms because they only use vertical space.

18. Ditch the bedside table lamps

"I love pendants hung on each side as it frees up space on bedside tables without the need for lamps," shares interior designer TIm Neve. Pendant lights can be a great space-saving option because they hang from the ceiling, allowing you to free up valuabl surgace space that might be occupied by traditional lamps.

Style your small home to perfection.

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