10+ Tips for How to Use Small Spaces at Home Like a True Interior Designer

Just because the rooms in your home are small, doesn’t mean they have to be messy, and it doesn’t mean they aren’t cozy. Sometimes houses and apartments have small and even uncomfortable spaces, so we have to think of new ways to distribute furniture and decor. To do this, there are a few tips that can help you make those places look more spacious, as well as tidy and stylish.

Bright Side wants to share with you some ideas for optimizing space in small rooms and making your home look more welcoming. At the end of the article you will find a bonus with 5 important and simple principles when it comes to interior design and decor.

1. Paint your walls white.

Although you might like rich, distinctive colors, for a small room they might not be the best choice. On the contrary, painting the walls in light colors, especially white, is ideal since it gives the impression that a room is more spacious and bright. This is especially recommended when the room you want to renovate has access to good natural light. Otherwise, white will not really achieve the same visual effect you were looking for.

2. Install shelves.

A great way to optimize the use of space at home is by installing shelves and using corner furniture. On these shelves you can store things like books or even food, and you can also place ornaments and plants there, among other things. All of these will give a very cozy feeling to the room where they are placed. There are different shelf designs that you can choose from, like floating, corner, glass, minimalist, etc.

3. Go for an L-shaped couch.

Couches are a must in at least one of the rooms of your house. However, the problem is that in small rooms, they use up too much space. Fortunately, there is a good way to solve that issue. Simply invest in an L-shaped couch and make the most of one of the corners of the living room. You should preferably choose one that does not have armrests, as it will give a more open feel to the room and also leave more space for your guests to actually sit.

4. Place a big mirror on the wall.

In order to create a more spacious room, mirrors can be a powerful tool to rely on. Placing a large mirror on a wall will make the room brighter, while at the same time, giving the impression that the room is more spacious. However, be careful not to fill the walls with mirrors since that can overload the space.

5. Divide the ambiance using furniture pieces.

When you have 2 neighboring rooms that aren’t divided by a wall, like for example, a living room and a kitchen in a loft-type apartment, the best way to make the most of both is to divide them using bookshelves, glass walls, bars, screens, curtains, or rugs. By doing this, you can maintain privacy in both areas, while gaining access to as much space as possible, and at the same time adding stylish accessories (e.g. rugs or screens). In other cases, you can use low furniture so that you don’t have to sacrifice the light in the room.

6. Go for neutral colors in decor.

Neutral shades help create more spacious and welcoming environments. In addition to buying furniture in these tones, opt for curtains that match these colors too. Traditionally, the shades that are considered to be neutral are: white, gray, and beige. You can also use red to highlight some specific elements, as it matches any of the aforementioned colors very well.

7. Hang your TV on the wall.

Placing a cabinet in the room, specifically for the TV, will take up a lot of space that could be used for something else. Multifunctionality is key when it comes to small spaces. That’s why it’s best to hang your TV on the wall using a special TV mounting kit. The wires can be hidden, giving the room an effortlessly modern look. It also becomes easier to achieve the optimal viewing distance and reduces the chance of eye or neck strain. You can attach the screen at a height you want.

8. Use the ceiling and areas above the couch wisely.

Whether your room has a high ceiling or not, there’s always enough space available to be used when looking up. You can hang plants, decorative lamps, and other ornaments that can give the room a cozy feeling. Even a bicycle can be hung on the wall if you have no place to put it or don’t want it to take up any more room. In the same vein, there’s always an empty space above the sofa where you can place pictures, shelves, or other objects.

9. Install custom-made bookshelves.

If it is within the realm of possibility, it would be ideal to have customized bookshelves made for you —something that meets your needs for space and functionality. By doing so, you will make good use of the wall, where you will have a closed and an open part to display books, decorations, a TV, etc.

10. Don’t forget about your window space!

If you have a big window, the ideal thing to do is to use it! For instance, you can turn it into an extra couch by placing a few cushions there. It can be adapted to become a sort of shelf where you can place plants and other decorations. You can also turn it into a desk, which might be the best option because it will always have natural light. You’ll be surprised at how versatile the space below the window can be. Just take the time to think of some cool ideas to really make use of that space.

11. Choose furniture that gives a sense of order at home.

If you place a lot of furniture in a small room, it can block people from passing. Not only that, but it can also create a cluttered environment. That is why, when choosing furniture, it is better to go for items that can easily fit into other spaces. For instance, poufs can be placed under or inside a piece of furniture when they are not being used. Stools can be stored under a counter. Another good option is to use folding or hinged furniture, which can be folded up when you need more space. This also gives the impression that you have more room to move around.

12. Try using built-in furniture to save space.

To save space, there is nothing better than built-in furniture. This way, you will gain square footage, since the furniture is actually fitted inside a wall. Another advantage is that since the wall must first be opened, the furniture has to be custom-made. In this case you can opt for having bookcases, closets, and even a fireplace. Although it requires some work, in the long run it will surely be worth it.

13. Use your balcony as an extension of the living room to gain space.

When you have the advantage of having a balcony or a terrace next to the living room or dining room, you can turn it into an extension of the ambiance you want to create in your living room. To this end, you can keep the curtains open (and the windows, if it’s hot), and place tables, chairs, and other useful furniture there. Doing that will make the environment seem more spacious and comfortable.

Bonus: 5 important and simple interior design rules to create a cozy space...

• The principle of “less is more” focuses on quality rather than quantity. When it comes to interior design, doing it in a rather sober, minimalist style — without overloading the room with ornaments or furniture and using plants as decoration — can be both highly-rewarding and economical.

• Use candles. They’re the ultimate decorative element for dining rooms and halls. They bring a sense of warmth to the environment. You can use candle holders or candlesticks to create beautiful centerpieces.

• If you like pictures on the walls, it’s advised that you choose images according to the purpose of the room. If it’s a dining room, they can be images of food, nature, scenes of daily tasks, etc. If it’s a living room, then they can be replicas of famous paintings or landscapes, among other things.
• Keeping the space tidy and clean contributes to keeping your mind in order. Your house is a reflection of what’s happening in your brain. When there’s a lot of messiness, it creates mental blocks. You might soon find yourself feeling overwhelmed and confused. If everything is tidy, things naturally flow, just like ideas. As a tip: discard or give away items that you no longer need or that take up space.
• Define your style. To decorate, you can choose between wood for a rustic effect, something more innovative and colorful, or maybe go for a minimalist approach. Once you’ve defined the style, you can select colors and designs that you identify with the most and choose details that will make a difference.

What do you do to make sure the small spaces at home are just as cozy as the bigger spaces? What tips would you share with the rest of the readers? Let us know in the comment section!