How to Achieve Stunning Interior Design Impacts in Small Spaces
Small house design can be incredibly challenging. Large space interior design allows more freedom to prioritize aesthetics without as much regard to the function whereas in small spaces, it is imperative for form to be functional as well as beautiful. Because of this, small space interior design requires extra attention to details, thoughtful planning, and creative solutions. But fear not, just because a place is small doesn’t mean it is destined to be an interior design failure.
Here are our top 10 tips to beautiful, high end interior designs no matter the square footage:
Less on Floor is More
This might be something you’ve never noticed before but chances are you will now: a room will always feel bigger when you can see a larger portion of the floor space. There are a few things at play here:
Visual weight is an important principle in design, especially when it comes to small spaces.
Site lines are also an important principle when it comes to designing small spaces. In a nutshell, the goal of site lines is to make them as long as possible. In small spaces we can use site lines in architecture to make the space feel bigger than it actually is. By minimizing the amount of items taking up floor space, we create the effect of spaciousness while also improving traffic flow and creating space for additional storage if needed.
In addition to the number of pieces on the floor consider the amount of furniture touching the floor. For example, check out the chairs to the left. The bottom chair takes up more square footage of floor space than the top chair because top chair has thin legs and so the seat elevated above the ground. Additionally the legs allow for the site line to continue under the chair whereas the recliner does not. These chairs could be the same size and weight but visually speaking the top chair is lighter than the one beneath it.
2. Ghost Decor
If for any reason floating shelves and furnishings aren’t a good option for your space (Don’t worry renters, I got y’all!) consider transparent decoration. While the aesthetic isn’t for everyone, transparent furnishings and decor are a great option to get the function without sacrificing much of the room’s visual weight. “Ghost chairs” are great for the end of dining tables for guests or for make-shift home offices that intrude on a bedroom or living room. Acrylic side tables and acrylic carts are practical choices in small living rooms. The image to the right is the acrylic cart I chose as a record stand in my 500 sq ft studio that was already at its furniture capacity. It is super functional, especially being on an acrylic cart on wheels, and it doesn’t make the space feel overcrowded, which any other piece 100% would have.
3. Flexibility is Key
Multifunctional pieces are a huge asset in small spaces. Consider the needs of the particular space and look for products that will address at least more than one of the needs.
Instead of a side table consider an ottoman that can also be used for extra seating. Look for pieces with hidden storage like a storage ottoman or coffee table trunk. Consider a round storage ottoman which will usually help with the room’s flow more than an angular piece.
Folding pieces are a small space’s best friend since they can be tucked away when not in use. Nowadays, there is no limit to what can be made to fold (I recently saw a targeted ad for a freakin’ TREADMILL that can be folded flat! ) Folding desks and murphy beds are some of the usual small space suspects, just to name a few.
4. Light er’ up
There is a lot that can be said about lighting and how it can be used in small spaces. I’ll graze over the basic concepts here but know that this will just be the tip of the iceberg. (We might just need to dedicate a whole post to lighting design in the near future...)
First of all, when lighting a small space it’s important to use more than one lighting source. Darkness is a small space’s worst enemy so make sure to add enough fixtures to cover the space and don’t leave any dark corners.
Next, make sure to use lighting that fits the space. That huge beaded chandelier saved to your pinterest may be gorgeous but it won’t do your small space any favors. Opt for smaller, low profile, light fixtures and consider recessed lighting or track lighting since they won’t take up precious floor real estate.
You can also use lighting to define spaces and add backlight. Backlighting eliminates the darkness behind furniture which will give the sense of extra depth. LED strip lights can be adhered to light the inside of a bookcase, below shelves (as can be seen in the image to the right), or inside of a wardrobe or cabinet.
Vertical lighting paths will pull the viewer’s eye upwards which can distract from a narrow width. There are many types of fixtures that can create vertical light paths, the important thing is to find one that will create uplight, not downlight. See drawing below.
5. Reflection with Intention
Lighting is a perfect segway to mirrors because they are related. Mirrors are great for spaces without a lot of natural light because they will reflect the light around the room.
If there is enough wall space a larger mirror can almost serve as a window when correctly situated near a light source. However, this can be challenging in smaller spaces since wall space is often limited. Consider strategically placing smaller, decorative wall mirrors around the room or finding mirrored furniture and decor that can achieve a similar effect. Maybe a mirrored lamp base or a mirrored tray for styling.
6. Conscious Colors
Most people think small spaces are restricted to white or light colors because these reflect light but small spaces lend well to bold colors and patterns when used properly. (It is important to note that usually it’s favorable to balance with some neutrals to bring balance to the space.) If choosing a bold color has got you sweatin’ bullets, use the color or print in secondary pieces such as rugs, art, and throw pillows. Another option is to minimize the bold color/print to specific pieces or parts of the room like an accent wall.
7. Creative Storage
Nowadays there is no shortage of attractive pieces that also serve as great storage solutions. Clutter is a nemesis in small spaces so it’s crucial to find creative ways to hide your stored belongings. Try to select furniture that will offer both aesthetics and function as storage. Storage ottomans that house linens and hanging racks to make use of door backs are both great examples of the type of creative storage solutions you’ll want to think about for maximizing your small space.
Another important consideration when designing a small space is how to best utilize nooks and corners. Often awkward corners are what we call “dead” or unused space. Often designers fill this with plants or purely decorative pieces but in small spaces every inch must be considered! Corner shelves can be a brilliant way to integrate additional storage to a small room. Look out for triangular, made for corner bookcases and shelves such as those linked below.
8. Brighten with Plants
Plants add fresh life and style to any room, small spaces are no exception. Again, nothing is worse than a cluttered, small space so just be careful to overcrowd. Consider hanging plants and small succulents to style on furnishings and shelves. If you are worried about the responsibility of plant parenting, consider a low maintenance option like a snake plant. If the light doesn’t lend itself to plant hospitality, try a dried arrangement or make your own like our DIY Sun Palms .
9. Pocket Doors
The square footage needed to swing open a door is a luxury most small spaces can’t afford. Sliding pocket doors, which are installed to slide into the wall when not being used, are a great option for small space design. A less costly option is sliding doors that can be installed on a track in front of the doorway opening.
10. Think Vertically
Focusing on the vertical is something that can be applied to many parts of the small space design process. As we noted earlier, hanging plants and vertical lighting are great ways to draw the viewer's eye up and down, distracting from the lack of room size. Wallpapers featuring vertical patterns can accentuate this visual effect.
Pendant lights are great solutions for living and bedrooms while hanging pot racks can be a statement piece in a kitchen. Hanging pot racks are extremely functional for daily use and storage.
Small house design can be one of the most overwhelming environments to design but we fully believe that interior beauty doesn’t depend on square footage. Small spaces are one of my deepest passions; I love the challenge of balancing form and function in a beautiful way. If you are in need of small house interior design or are downsizing to a smaller space (or have any other interior design needs) reach out to us! We’d love to learn more about your needs and help you find solutions to make the best of your special space. Schedule a free call now!
As always thanks for reading!
