Design 101

How To Decorate Small Spaces Like a Pro

October 17, 2024

Welcome to the ultimate guide on decorating small spaces! Whether you’re living in a cozy city apartment, a compact condo, or a snug dorm room, you can overcome the challenges of making the most out of limited square footage. In fact, with the right approach, you can transform even the tiniest space into stylish and functional living quarters. Where should you start on your small space design?

Assess Your Space and Prioritize Needs

Before decorating, take some time to really look at your space and identify your priorities. Think about how you use the space on a daily basis and what activities are most important to you. Do you need a designated workspace? Will you spend much of your time in a reading nook? Will extra storage solutions be useful to you? Prioritizing your needs before digging into small spaces decorating ideas will ensure that every inch of your space serves a purpose.

Think outside the box when it comes time to look for furniture options. Try unconventional solutions, like modular furniture systems that can be customized to fit your space perfectly. These modular pieces can be rearranged and reconfigured to adapt to different layouts and functions. Furniture with built-in features like charging stations or built-in speakers will maximize functionality without sacrificing style.

By thinking creatively about how to decorate a small space, you’ll come out with a finished product that’s stylish, functional, and closely tailored to your lifestyle.

Find Multi-Functional Furniture

When space is limited, many pieces of furniture will need to pull double duty. Look for multi-functional furniture pieces like sleeper sofas, storage ottomans, and folding tables. Versatile pieces like these save space and add functionality to your home.

A great example of multi-functional furniture is a lift-top coffee table. It serves as a traditional coffee table for holding books, beverages, and decor items, while the top can be elevated to a comfortable height for working or dining directly from the sofa. Many lift-top tables also have hidden storage compartments underneath the lifting mechanism to stash living room must-haves like remotes and extra throw blankets.

Lounge Decor Ideas for Small Spaces

You may not be able to fit a giant sectional or TV in a small lounge, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a beautiful and cozy space. Our top lounge decor ideas for small spaces will help you design a laid-back space that you’ll never want to leave.

Start by choosing light colors like soft neutrals and bright pastels. These gentle shades will make your lounge feel more open and welcoming. Here are a few simple ways to brighten the space:

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Paint the walls a soft neutral like beige, cream, light gray, or white

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Add lush houseplants in white ceramic pots

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Select cozy throw pillows and rugs in soft pastels

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Hang warm string lights for a cozy fairytale vibe

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Place a vase with bright flowers on your coffee table or bookcase

Vertical decor will help you maximize your space. Create a collage wall with different paintings and framed photographs. Choose art with similar colors for a cohesive look, or mix and match styles to show off the ranges of your taste.

Floating shelves are another excellent way to get the most out of your wall space. Use these shelves to display books, small sculptures, vases, and other decor. They let you customize your lounge without taking up valuable floor space.

Of course, you don’t want to showcase everything in your lounge to guests. Store clutter out of sight with multifunctional furniture. For example, you could create a small dining nook with a drop-leaf table and a bench with hidden storage compartments. An ottoman provides extra storage for board games, blankets, and other lounge essentials.

Want to bring in more natural light? Hang a large mirror opposite a window to reflect the sun’s bright rays back into the lounge. This simple decoration will make your small space feel more expansive and warm.

Maximize Vertical Space

Don’t ignore the vertical space in your small room. Make use of wall-mounted shelves, floating shelves, tall bookcases, and similar elements that will maximize storage without taking up valuable floor space. In addition to decluttering your space, designing vertically draws the eye upward and creates the illusion of height and space.

Bring in Light

One of the greatest decorating ideas for small spaces on a budget is relying on natural light. These tips work wonders in making small spaces feel larger and airier:

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Keep window treatments minimal to allow as much natural light as possible into your space.

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Strategically place mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of a larger room if natural light is limited.

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If natural light isn’t available, try sleek, space-saving lighting fixtures that mimic natural lighting to brighten up dark corners.

Learn more about choosing the right light for your home.

Opt for Light Colors

When it comes to color schemes for small spaces, light and neutral hues will be your best friends. Light colors like whites, creams, and soft grays reflect light and make a space feel more expansive. You can use pops of color sparingly through throw pillows, rugs, artwork, and other accessories to add personality and visual interest to your space without overwhelming it.

Create Zones

Even in small spaces, it’s important to create distinct zones for different activities. Think about adding area rugs, adjusting furniture arrangements, or placing room dividers to help delineate separate zones for lounging, working, sleeping, etc. Think of a studio apartment where space is at a premium. Here's how to decorate a small living space to create distinct functional zones using strategic placement and decor:

Living zone

Place a sofa facing a TV on the wall, with a small coffee table in front. Use a light-colored area rug under the sofa and coffee table to define this as the lounge area, and place a floor lamp next to the sofa for evening reading or relaxation.

Work zone

Set up a compact desk near a window to take advantage of natural light. You’ll want a comfortable chair that can be moved easily between the desk and other areas. A wall-mounted shelf above the desk can hold books and office supplies.

Sleeping zone

On the opposite side of the room, position a bed with a headboard against the wall to clearly define it as the sleeping area. Use a different style of area rug here, like a softer texture or pattern, to visually and tactilely separate it from the rest of the apartment.

Learn more

Dining zone

If space allows, add a small, round dining table with a few chairs near the kitchen area. Use a pendant light above the table to anchor this space as the dining area. This setup can also double as a primary or additional workspace if needed.

Divider tactics

For added separation without blocking light, you can bring in a tall open bookshelf as a divider between the sleeping area and the living area for a physical barrier that offers storage and display space.

Learn more

Declutter Regularly

In a small space, clutter can quickly accumulate and make your home feel cramped and chaotic. Make it a habit to declutter your belongings on the regular to keep your space feeling light and airy. Try these tips:

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Keep only what is essential or brings you joy.

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Utilize clever storage solutions like under-bed storage bins, hanging organizers, and vertical shoe racks.

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Donate or sell items that you no longer need or use.

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Assign designated spaces for commonly used items, and regularly return them to their place.

Scale Down

Furniture and accessories that are proportionate to the size of your room won’t overwhelm it. Choose sleek, streamlined pieces with clean lines and minimalistic designs to create an illusion of extra space.

Enjoy Yourself

These ideas will help you design a home that feels open and welcoming. With some thoughtful planning, even the smallest spaces can be turned into comfortable, attractive homes. Start with these ideas and have fun turning your compact living area into a place you’re delighted to call home!

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