You may think that designing a small space is easy. After all, there isn't much space to work with - how difficult could it be? Unfortunately, even those with a knack for interior decorating and design struggle when they are tight on space.
While the execution might be easier, designing a small space is often harder than you think. For one, you have limited space - meaning you have to ensure that every element serves a purpose. And, it's easy to crowd the room, which is the last thing you want.
We are all too familiar with this kind of challenge. That's why today, we want to share our favorite small space design ideas with you. If you want to turn your tiny room, house, or apartment into a space that impresses you and your guests, keep on reading!
Quick Tips For Designing a Small Space
When you have limited space to work with, careful planning is the key to avoiding overcrowding your home. That said, here are some of the most important tips to keep in mind when planning the design for your small space:
Let In Natural Light
Lots of natural light can help open up a tiny room, making the space feel bright and spacious. In contrast, a dark room tends to absorb light, making the space look and feel smaller than it already is.
Start by using sheer or light-colored window coverings. Your windows should let in as much natural light as possible, especially if a nearby building is preventing the sun's rays from shining through your windows. Then, place mirrors and other reflective surfaces around the room so that the light can bounce off of them. This can help make the space look even brighter.
Invest in Multi-Purpose or Folding Furniture
Multi-purpose and folding furniture can be a saving grace for small spaces. Not only that, but these types of furniture can also save you money. Dining tables, desks, and even couch sets come in styles that you can fold and easily put away. For instance, there are dining tables that you can fold in half and prop against the wall after a meal.
Similarly, there are furniture designs that serve multiple purposes. Consider getting a bed that you can turn into a couch during the day if you live in a studio apartment. Or perhaps invest in a folding bookcase with a hidden desk. There is even furniture that comes with built-in storage space, which is especially helpful if you don't have a lot of storage.
Declutter Your Home
Don't let unnecessary clutter take up what little space you have. When designing small spaces, the best way to create space is to get rid of anything that you no longer want or need. Now, this might be a difficult thing to do, so it's best if you start slow. For instance, you can begin tossing things that serve you absolutely no purpose--emotional or otherwise. Then, work through the stuff that you think you need but aren't really practical to keep.
Again, this process may be hard to go through, so there is no shame in going at your own pace. And remember - creating additional space in your home by decluttering is not an invitation to buy more stuff. So, once you get rid of most of the clutter, try your best to keep it that way.
Go Vertical
Taking advantage of vertical space will allow you to decorate and furnish your room without taking up too much of the floor. A tall bookcase, for instance, leaves more visible space than a wide one. The same goes for shelving that spans vertically instead of horizontally. And aside from minimizing the floor space you occupy, going vertical creates an illusion of height, which can help make a room look bigger.
The Best Small Space Design Ideas To Consider
Now that we've gone over the basics, it's time to explore practical small space design ideas. Whether you're designing a studio apartment or a tiny condo, here are some of our favorite small space design ideas you can implement yourself:
Use Large Rugs
Using a large rug for a small space might seem counterintuitive, but it can actually give the illusion of a larger room, as opposed to using a small rug. We recommend choosing a rug with a simple design and neutral colors to avoid making the floor look busy.
Consider a Bar Cart
Instead of occupying precious shelf space with your alcohol collection, use a modern serving cart instead. Aside from being easy to put away, a bar cart will allow you to serve your guests whether they are in the dining room or the sitting room. Plus, it can be used for other purposes, such as extra storage for dining ware, coffee paraphernalia, and even your spice collection.
And if you want to learn how to set up a bar cart, you can read all about it on our blog. We show 5 awesome ways you can style yours.
Add Small Greenery
Indoor plants can really brighten up a space and make it feel more lively, but be sure not to overcrowd. Choose smaller plants and flowers like mini cacti, African violets, oxalis, and echeveria. And if you have a specific plant in mind but it has huge leaves, that doesn't mean it is off-limits. Try to see if it will thrive if you put them in smaller pots.
Hanging plants are also a great option as they do not take up floor space. Plants that look great in hanging pots include spider plants, hedera helix, strings of hearts, grape ivy, and so much more. Technically, you can turn any plant into a hanging plant, but plants that overgrow beautifully look much, much better.
Mount Your TV
Free up much-needed floor space in your small living room by mounting your TV to the wall. Doing so will also make your TV less susceptible to tipping over, which is especially crucial if you have small children or pets in the house.
Buy The Right Dining Table
If you live alone, we recommend choosing a small bistro dining table for your dining room or kitchen. It's the perfect size for a small space, big enough to seat two people without overcrowding the room. But if there are more people living in your home - or if you frequently have guests over - consider an expandable, minimalist dining table. You can fold it in half if there are only two or three people sitting, and then expand it to its full size when you need extra seats. And with some minimalist bar stools, you'll have a stylish, space-spacing dining room!
Maximize Hidden Storage & Go Vertical
Put extra blankets inside your modern ottomans. Use the space under your bed for shoeboxes. Stuff seasonal decor underneath the stairs. If you have things that you want to keep from view, hide them within your furniture and existing architectural elements in your home.
And when it comes to storage, consider going vertical with a modern ladder shelf. These are a great idea for any small room.
Choose a Neutral Color Palette
Neutral, earthy tones give the illusion of a more spacious room. Colors that work best for tiny spaces include white, off-white, light grays, beige, and muted shades of blues, greens, and browns. Light-colored wood grains also work great for accents and provide additional texture to the space.
Consider Using A Dining Table As Your Office Desk
Just because you have limited space doesn't mean you can have your own home office. Even if it's just a corner in the dining room, having a spot dedicated to working is important. It will inspire more productivity as opposed to working on the couch or your bed.
With a minimalist dining table, you can bring your laptop to the table instead of having to invest in a separate desk. Let the dining room do double duty! You don't need a lot of space for your home office to be functional. But if you have the space for a full-on home office, you can take things a step further. Check out these modern office design ideas for small spaces if you want to learn more!
Consider a Loft Bed
If you have a tiny bedroom or live in a studio apartment, your bed likely takes up a great deal of available space. That said, raising it from the floor can free up a significant amount of room.
Consider getting a loft bed if your ceiling is high enough to accommodate one. Once you free up the floor space underneath, you can use it to house a desk, a couch, or maybe even turn it into a huge closet.
Light Up The Sides of The Room
Compared to lights that sit at the center of the ceiling, lights along the sides of the room provide adequate illumination without being too harsh. More than that, they make a room feel larger because they illuminate the edges of the room, thus minimizing shadows that make the space feel smaller.
Final Thoughts On Small Space Design Ideas
Having a tiny space shouldn't hold you back from turning your dream home into a reality. If you have limited space to work with, our collection of modern small space furniture is exactly what you need. And here at Nathan James, you gain access to durable, versatile, and high-quality pieces that are sure to bring the most value for your money.
So, what are you waiting for? Start shopping today and enjoy premium-quality furniture at the right prices.
