Living in a small space can be challenging, but it certainly doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or comfort. With intention and creativity, even the tiniest of spaces can be customized into a stylish, functional, and inviting home. Follow these 10 tips to make the most out of your small space.

Choose Multifunctional Furniture

One of the easiest ways to maximize a small space is through multifunctional furniture that serves more than one purpose. Some great options include:

• Ottomans with hidden storage inside to tuck away blankets and media accessories.
• Sofas with chaise lounges, storage under seats, and fold-down tables in the armrests give you a place to eat or work from your living room.
• Murphy beds that fold up into the wall turn a bedroom into a multifunctional room.
• Dining tables that expand or have leafs to accommodate more people when needed.
• Desks that convert to dining tables help a home office double as a dining area.

Choosing furniture that morphs into different configurations or serves multiple needs will allow you to get more function and use out of every piece.

Incorporate Built-In Storage

While furniture helps, maximizing every inch of available storage space is key for small homes. If your budget allows, built-ins can be a great option. Shelving that fits precisely into awkward nooks and custom closets that make use of every bit of wall space are great for a small living area. Built-in benches with storage are useful in entryways. Built-in media cabinets help hide electronics and clutter in style.

Even if custom built-ins aren’t an option, creative use of closet organizing systems can help you make the most of the storage you have. Use space efficiently with hanging shelves, stackable drawers, over-the-door storage, and multi-level shelving to get everything squeezed into your closet.

Choose Small-Scale Furnishings

Filling a small space with oversized furniture is one of the easiest ways to make it feel cluttered and cramped. Opt for compact, small-scale furnishings instead.

Some specific tips:

• Choose apartment-sized sofas with narrow silhouettes and low armrests. Avoid giant, puffy sofas and sectionals.
• Opt for a loveseat and a couple of chairs instead of a large sofa.
• Use a small bistro table with two chairs in the kitchen instead of a spacious 4 or 6-person dining set.
• Select narrow bookshelves to hold books and display items without taking up too much floor space.
• Use a shelf rather than a wide dresser in the bedroom.
• Place a single lounge chair with a small side table in a bedroom rather than a full seating set.

Scaling down the size of furnishings prevents them from overwhelming a room and eating up valuable square footage.

Take Advantage of Vertical Space

In a small home, remember to make use of vertical space above furniture and doorways that otherwise goes unused. This is a perfect place to add extra storage without claiming more floor space. Some ideas:

• Mount shelving high on walls above furniture, counters, or appliances. Great for frequently used items or displays.
• Hang adjustable wall shelves or tracks that can be customized to hold various size items.
• Mount rod racks on the wall to hang utensils, pots and pans. Gets them off the counter and frees up cabinet space.
• Add floating cabinets above counters, desks, or sinks for extra storage.
• Use over-the-door hanging racks on the back of any door to neatly store items of any kind.

Taking advantage of vertical space above eye-level helps keep items off the floor and surfaces, opening up the room.

Limit Clutter

This is an obvious but critical step when living in a compact home. Be hyper-vigilant about getting rid of excess stuff and limiting clutter. Some strategies that help:

• Keep surfaces like counters and tables clear unless being actively used. Never allow them to become a clutter magnet.
• Don’t keep items you don’t use regularly. Either donate them or place into infrequently used storage.
• Maintain an organized system for incoming papers, mail, and other paperwork to prevent piles.
• Store out of season clothing items under the bed or in low-use areas during that time. Rotate as the seasons change.
• Minimize kitchen gadgets, dishes, and textiles to only daily essentials.
• Opt for shelves or open storage rather than closed cabinets whenever possible so you can see what you actually have. It’s easier to limit excess when it’s visible.

Avoiding clutter accumulation is an ongoing process but prevents your home from feeling overwhelmed by stuff.

Let In Natural Light

Lack of space and lack of light often go hand in hand. Make the most of every source of natural light available to help your small space feel open and airy. Here are some tips:

• Keep window treatments minimal and breezy. Sheer curtains that filter light work better than heavy drapes.
• Paint the walls and ceiling light colors to prevent the space from feeling dark and closed in. White or soft gray are great options.
• Use mirrors to reflect and amplify incoming light. Hang a large mirror opposite a window.
• Avoid blocking windows with furniture. Float pieces away from the walls.
• If your floor plan allows it, open adjoining rooms to each other without doors separating them. This allows light to pass through.
• Supplement with strategically placed lamps for additional cozy lighting.

Natural light is invaluable for making a small space feel bright, welcoming, and expansive. Find creative ways to get as much in as possible.

Choose Light, Bright Paint Colors

Along with allowing in ample natural light, using light and bright wall colors keeps a small space feeling open rather than cavernous. Some good choices:

• White or extra light gray work universally and can warm up with accent colors. Be aware they show scuffs easily.
• Soft blue-grays create a tranquil mood.
• Greige (a mix of gray and beige) is sophisticated but neutral.
• Very pale greens or aquatic hues are airy in a bedroom or bathroom.
• For a small kitchen or dining area, buttery yellow is cheery but not overpowering.
• Pastel shades of pink, blue, or green used judiciously provide personality without dominating.

Stick to lighter versions of colors rather than intense bold shades, which can close in the space. Bright white trim also keeps things feeling fresh.

Use Mirrors to Visually Expand

Hanging mirrors is one of the easiest ways to make a small space appear larger. Mirrors reflect light and views to make an area feel more expansive. Strategically place them to create the illusion of more space.

• Use across from windows to amplify light and reflections.
• Place on the wall opposite the entry door to create depth upon entering.
• Position at the end of a hallway to make it appear longer.
• Mount horizontally above a sofa to give the illusion of a taller wall.
• Incorporate leaner floor mirrors in tight spaces rather than hanging. Even a well-placed hand mirror can help expand a small bathroom.

Get creative with placement to see how mirrors can visually double the footprint of your small home. The reflective power is amazing.

Zone Your Space Wisely

Creating distinct zones within an open concept home helps delineate spaces for different functions without needing walls or doors. This keeps things open but organized. Some tips:

• Use area rugs in sitting, sleeping, and office areas to define each zone’s boundaries.
• Angle furniture slightly rather than placing parallel to walls. This helps separate sleeping from living areas, for example.
• Use shelving or privacy screens to divide cooking areas from living rooms without totally blocking views.
• Float couches off of walls to distinguish them from office or dining areas in one large room.
• Make zones cohesive with coordinated textiles and artwork. Repeat colors from one area to the next for flow.

With good zoning techniques, you can have an open, multifunctional home without it feeling undifferentiated. Define each space while maintaining an airy layout.

Prioritize Good Organization

For any size home, organization is important to maintain functionality. In a small space it becomes absolutely crucial. Clutter quickly accumulates without systems in place. Some useful tactics:

• Label bins, baskets or shelves so everyone knows where to put things.
• Store items near where they’ll be used – pots & pans in kitchen, hair dryer in bathroom.
• Use hanging wall files in an office to prevent paper accumulation.
• Assign a spot for incoming items like keys, mail, sunglasses. Don’t allow these to float around.
• Have tech charging stations so small electronics aren’t scattered everywhere.
• Use over-cabinet shelves for extra kitchen storage tucked out of the way.
• Slide baskets under beds, couches and other furniture to stash items.

Getting and staying organized is an essential habit for living efficiently in a compact home. Establish systems that work for you.

Incorporate Multipurpose Areas

Using one room for more than one purpose is a classic technique for small space living. Set up your home to allow dual function rooms.

• A living room easily converts to a guest room with a sleeper sofa.
• A home office accommodates a spare bed for overnight guests.
• The dining table offers extra work space or craft area when not being used for meals.
• A kitchen island creates an eat-in dining area.
• An entryway bench provides seating and storage.
• A bedroom wall is shared with closet space for the adjoining room.

Think creatively about how you use each room. Nearly any space can morph to meet multiple needs when furniture and storage is arranged strategically.

Choose Low-Maintenance Greenery

Even though space is limited, don’t forgo greenery and plants in your home. They provide mood-boosting benefits and soften hard edges. To keep care easy:

• Opt for hard-to-kill succulents and cacti instead of fussy flowers.
• Choose low-light varieties if natural light is sparse. Snake plants and pothos do well.
• Use plants that tolerate dry soil like jade or ZZ plants rather than ones needing frequent watering.
• Opt for small tabletop greenery rather than large statement plants. Easier to maintain and move around.
• Place low-maintenance plants out of reach of pets who may knock them over.
• Add greens strategically – hanging in a window, on a shelf that could use softening, atop a desk.

Even one small plant can boost decor and mood without needing much space or care. Don’t deny your home greenery due to limited area.

Conclusion

While maximizing a small living space presents some challenges, following these tips will help you decorate in a way that feels cozy and welcoming, not confining. Strategic use of multifunctional furniture, storage solutions, space-enhancing mirrors and colors, and greenery will allow you to make the most of what you have. And maintaining stellar organization and strict limits on clutter are musts. With smart planning guided by your priorities and style, even the most petite place can be customized into a highly functional and stylish home. Get creative with how you use every inch, and your small space is sure to be greater than the sum of its square footage.

Decorate With Intention: 10 Ways to Maximize a Small Space

Choose Multifunctional Furniture

Multifunctional furniture that serves more than one purpose is key for maximizing small spaces. Options like ottomans with storage, sofas with fold-down tables, and Murphy beds allow you to get more use out of every piece. Choosing furniture that can morph into different configurations will let you get more function from less space.

Incorporate Built-In Storage

Make the most of available storage space with built-ins tailored to fit precisely into the unique nooks and dimensions of your home. Custom bookshelves, benches, media cabinets, and closets maximize every bit of space while looking integrated. Organizing systems also help maximize existing closet storage.

Choose Small-Scale Furnishings

Filling a small space with oversized furniture will make it feel cramped. Opt for compact, slimline furnishings instead. Loveseats, bistro sets, narrow bookshelves, and single chairs will prevent pieces from overwhelming the room.

Take Advantage of Vertical Space

Use wall space above furniture and doorways to add shelving, cabinets, and hanging racks. This creates extra storage without claiming valuable floor space. Taking advantage of vertical areas keeps items off the floor and surfaces.

Limit Clutter

Be vigilant about getting rid of excess stuff and limiting clutter. Maintain clear surfaces, donate unused items, and organize paperwork and possessions. Avoiding accumulation makes spaces feel more open.

Let In Natural Light

Make the most of every source of natural light. Keep window treatments minimal, paint walls light colors, use mirrors to reflect light, and avoid blocking windows with furniture. Maximizing natural light makes small spaces feel open and airy.

Choose Light, Bright Paint Colors

Use light versions of colors like white, gray, pale blue, or buttery yellow. Bright, intense bold colors can close in a room, while lighter shades keep things feeling open. White trim also helps maintain freshness.

Use Mirrors to Visually Expand

Strategically placed mirrors reflect light and views to double the perceived size of a space. Use across from windows, on walls opposite doors, at the end of hallways, and above sofas. The reflective qualities of mirrors work magic.

Zone Your Space Wisely

Keep an open floor plan organized by creating defined activity zones for sitting, sleeping, cooking, etc. Use area rugs, floating furniture, and shelving to delineate zones while maintaining an airy layout.

Prioritize Organization

Organization is essential in small homes where clutter quickly accumulates. Label storage bins, keep items near where they’re used, and establish places for mail, keys, and electronics. Organization enhances functionality.

Incorporate Multipurpose Areas

Allow rooms to pull double or triple duty to maximize use of space. A living room converts to a guest room, the dining table doubles as a workspace, and a home office can accommodate a Murphy bed. Get creative!

Conclusion

Strategic use of storage, multifunctional furniture, space-enhancing mirrors and colors, greenery, and stellar organization will help maximize a small home. Staying strict about clutter while creatively using every inch will allow even the smallest space to feel stylish, inviting, and highly livable.