At Styled Spaces we believe that there is an interior design solution for every space, regardless of how small or big it may be. Designing a small space can feel overwhelming and nearly impossible at times, but with the right planning and tricks even the smallest room or nook can become a beautiful and functional space that you will love spending time in!
In this blog post we have gathered a few of our favourite tips and tricks to make the most of your space. Small space design doesn't have to be stressful, and while there are certain considerations you need to keep in mind, you do not have to sacrifice aesthetics for function.
Don't Be Afraid To Go Big
This one may or may not surprise you, it's not an entirely intuitive concept. The instinct for many people when decorating a small space is to size down their furniture to suit their room, but the opposite can actually be far more effective. It's all a matter of scale, and placing small furniture in a small room will only emphasise the size constraints of the room and may make it appear even smaller. Instead, consider opting for a larger piece. You don't need to feel limited to a loveseat - if you can fit a three seater sofa or a sectional there is no reason you shouldn't. A larger piece of furniture that fits perfectly into your space can make the room appear larger and more thought out, and as an added bonus you and your guests will be more comfortable!
In line with this, you should also go big when it comes to your area rug. A small rug will make your space appear smaller, whereas going for a large rug will make it feel and look larger and grander,
Avoid Clutter
Instead of limiting the size of your furniture, you may need to make concessions on the number of furniture. While we stand by the mantra that you don't have to sacrifice aesthetics for function, fitting a sectional, two side tables, and an armchair into your room may just not be possible. The hardest part of interior design isn't necessarily finding the right furniture or decor for your space, the real challenge can be eliminating pieces that just aren't working. Cluttering up the room with too many pieces of furniture will only make your space feel cramped. Sometimes cutting out pieces can feel brutal, but self-editing is the key to designing a space that feels intentional and functional. In the end, your home will look better for it.
Gallery Walls
It may seem counterintuitive, but a gallery wall can actually make your space appear larger. While we don't suggest covering every surface on your wall with art, choosing a space for a gallery wall that stretches up to the ceiling creates a focal point and draws the eye up, which can make the area appear bigger. We suggest leaving the areas surrounding the gallery wall bare, to avoid visual clutter and making sure that the gallery becomes a visual focal point.
Mirrors
Were you waiting for this one to pop up? We know this is a well known trick so we won't linger on it too long, but we couldn't leave it out. Putting up a mirror on your wall can help to reflect light and make your space appear larger. Consider opting for a larger mirror for added effect, or you can even add a mirror to your gallery wall!
Light and Neutral
It may surprise no one that lighter colours reflect light, and can make a space appear larger and brighter. If you want to make the most out of your small space and give the illusion of a more spacious and airy room, opt for lighter neutral colours for your walls and larger pieces of furniture. Sticking to a neutral base doesn't have to mean your space will be dull and devoid of personality, you can add in splashes of colour or fun patterns through your home decor items, such as cushions or art pieces. And if you really want a colourful piece of furniture, or already have one that you are trying to incorporate into your room, you can make this piece a focal point. Set this piece against a more neutral backdrop, and make this your feature colour, incorporating it into a few smaller accents throughout the room to create a cohesive design.
Design by Styled Spaces, Victoria, BC. Photo by Melanie Orr Photography.
Or Go Dark and Dramatic
I know, I know, we just spent an entire paragraph telling you to stick to lighter colours. But here's the thing - rules are meant to be broken. You may not be a neutral and white walls kind of person, and that is totally fine - your space should reflect your personal style and aesthetic, and there is no reason to limit yourself because of some arbitrary rules. At the end of the day, you are the one living in this space and it doesn't need to fit anyones vision but your own!
Dark colours don't have to make a room appear small and closed in. In fact, a dark and moody wall colour can add depth to your space and make it feel cozy and intimate. If you are opting for darker coloured walls, one tip is to go for a more matte finish - this reduces glare and gives an added depth to darker colours. If you're really wanting to go for the dark and dramatic look, we suggest going all out and painting your ceiling in the same dark colour for an added cozy effect.
Stick to a Cohesive Colour Palette
Regardless of if you go for the light and airy or dark and moody look, we suggest you decide on your style and colour palette and stick to it. The part of interior design that many people skip over or don't give enough thought to is the planning stage. We get it, it's easy to get caught up when you're out shopping and find beautiful home decor pieces you just need to have. But mixing too many styles and colours in a room can make it look cluttered and poorly thought out. A way of helping yourself stay on track is to make yourself a moodboard, including your colour palette, and bringing this with you when you go shopping.
We've had the privilege of designing plenty of small spaces for our clients around Victoria, BC, and we love the challenge of creating a beautiful and functional space that you will love, regardless of the size. These are a few of our favourite interior design tips for making the most of small spaces. We have plenty more, but we know no one wants to read an essay, so we may have to come back with a part two in the future!