Styling Small Spaces

Have a small space that you need to decorate? It may seem challenging to style a small space but this is not the case. With thoughtful planning and the tips in this article, you can create a beautiful and functional space that feels larger than it is.

Multifunctional Furniture

When you are working with a small space, it is best to have furniture pieces that can serve more than one purpose. Having a couch that can also double as storage under the cushions or an ottoman with storage are great examples of multi-functional pieces of furniture.

Functional beige couch with storage underneath
A couch with storage within it.

Including furniture with hidden compartments will help with maximizing space, organization, and gives you more space to further design.

Use Light Colors and Mirrors

Light colors and mirrors can be used as optical illusions to help a small space feel larger and brighter. A neutral color palette can create a fresh and airy look, and adding a pop of color can help with creating more individuality. Mirrors will reflect light and this helps to create the illusion of more space, a large mirror on a focal wall will maximize this effect.

Living room with a black couch and decorative mirror and pictures on the wall above
Apartment living room with a mirror on focal wall

Create Designed Zones

Smaller spaces like apartments will benefit from having clear and distinct zones for each area. Zones can be created by arranging furniture in a manner that separates areas. Incorporating rugs can also define the difference between different areas and also adds an extra level of complexity to interior design. Dividers of course can also create zones, but larger items like bookshelves can serve as a less conventional divider. Using these methods can also help when designing in open layout spaces.

Sectioned off living room with a couch and decorative chair
Living room space that uses chair and rug to define the area

Take Advantage of Vertical Space

When you don’t have much spread out space, going upward it’s a great alternative. Using tall bookshelves or wall-mounted storage will give a lot more room to work with when limited in space. Taking advantage of vertical space also draws the eye upward which can make the room feel bigger than it is.

Dining room with windows, dining table, and wall-mounted shelves
Small room using wall-mounted shelves for additional storage