15 Home Design Tips for Small Spaces

Making the most of compact living spaces has been a rising trend in interior design. It’s no surprise to learn that as major municipalities become more congested, the average home size had to condense to accommodate more individual units. Because of this, designers and homeowners needed to come up with innovative new ways to maximize the utility of floorplans, while maintaining the aesthetics of our new found love for spacious layouts.

Whether you’re building up from scratch, or altering the look of your prefab home, incorporating little design tricks here and there can certainly make smaller spaces seem bigger and more open. But, with so many ideas and concepts to choose from, figuring out what to make of the space you have can be a pretty overwhelming decision. That’s why we’ve created a compilation of the best space-saving design tips to transform your humble little abode into a stylish yet functional place you’ll be proud to call “home.”

Living/Dining Room

1. Keep things light

Use white furniture and built-in storage units to show personality while keeping the rest of the space light and open.

2. Hang a Mirror

Hang a mirror instead of a piece of art on the wall, as mirrors reflect light and brighten up the space. They also create an optical illusion, making it seem like the room extends.

3. Surrender the coffee table

Use smaller side tables for functionality because coffee tables eat up the space in a living room. Being able to move furniture around easily makes a room feel less cramped.

4. Use nice floor and table lamps

Floor and table lamps don’t take up much space and create ambient light, which can make a big difference. Finding a nice one can make it a decorative piece as well.

5. Paint strategically

Create the illusion of high ceilings by continuing the wall color onto the ceiling, making the edge where they meet less noticeable.

6. Create partial dividers

Use partial walls to separate spaces, giving rooms a more open feel. This is much more effective than dividing rooms with walls to the ceiling.

Bedroom

7. Be creative with storage

Make full use of all the nooks and crannies to store your belongings especially if you have a small bedroom. This minimizes the need for closets, which take up extra space.

8. Use curtains to hide storage spaces

Conceal your storage areas behind curtains, as this is a great way to make your bedroom look cleaner and less cluttered.

9. Move furniture to the walls

Keep your furniture against the walls to help maximize floor space. The best furniture placement uses corners, keeping the center of a small room empty.

Bathroom

10. Make use of glass

If you’re doing a bathroom renovation, choosing a glass shower door over a shower curtain maximizes the light coverage and makes a bathroom feel less cramped.

11. Install an oval sink

An oval sink doesn’t have sharp edges, making it seem softer – more like a bowl. It also allows for more counter space compared a square or rectangular sink.

12. Use simple walls to contrast a busy floor

Intricate floor designs can be a wonderful way to make a mark on your bathroom. Just make sure to contrast it with simple walls so the room doesn’t look overwhelmed.

Kitchen

13. Use functional decoration

Highlight your most visually appealing functional items by using them as additional decoration for everyone to see, instead of hiding them behind cabinets and drawers.

14. Install a bold backsplash

Not only does this have functionality, but it also creates added interest, giving your kitchen a strong design presence.

15. Create counter-side dining

Double up your kitchen counter as a dining table. This increases the functionality of your kitchen and makes it a more inviting place for guests to hang out.

You don’t necessarily have to sacrifice personality just to get the illusion of a few more square inches. Make clever decisions about your small living space and find yourself the perfect balance between looks and functionality.