How to Style Small Spaces

The one question I get asked the most is “how can I make the most of my small home?”. When we were living in London Simon and I had a teeny one bed flat so I have spent the past six years perfecting small space living. In this post I’ll be sharing my top tips so you can decorate your small home perfectly. It’s not as hard as you might think, follow these rules and you’ll be able to get so much out of your space.

A tall gallery wall will lead the eye upwards via Pinterest

A tall gallery wall will lead the eye upwards via Pinterest

Decorate with Mirrors

Place mirrors strategically in small places in order to make them feel larger. One of the most common small room ideas is to hang a large mirror in a central location to create a focal point. To reflect light and add a nice ambiance, put it behind a light source such as a candle or pendant lamp. If possible, position a mirror across from your window so it will reflect the view and give the illusion of another window.

Draw the Eye Upward

A room has a vertical dimension as well as a horizontal one. If your living room has a high ceiling, make the most of the extra space by decorating it in a manner that draws the eye upward. Floor-to-ceiling curtains or large artwork are a stylish way to accomplish this

Choose Furniture with a Lightweight Appearance

When you shop for furniture, consider its visual weight. This concept refers to the perceived heaviness of an object based on size, colour and design. Pick out pieces that have a lightweight appearance, as heavier ones will seem to constrict a space.

Opt for pale colours over darker ones, and select pieces that have legs while avoiding those that are boxy. Glass coffee or side tables will take up less visual space than wooden ones because you can see through them. Any furnishings that don’t obstruct views will make an area seem more open.

Use Neutral Colours

One of the most popular small living room ideas is the use of neutral colours on walls, floor, ceiling and furniture upholstery. A palette of off-whites or beiges will expand the space by appearing to push back the walls. Soft hues also tend to illuminate a room by reflecting light. 

Nooks of all shapes and sizes

The best way to tackle a nook of any size is to find a furniture piece that fits right in. Then either go very minimal with the accessories or go a little overboard! Adding a paint colour or wallpaper to set the nook apart from the rest of the room will strengthen that nook even more. Try to find a function or purpose that nook can serve, too. If it's near an entryway, can it also serve as a place for bags or keys? Could it be a little work space? 

Use Pattern and Colour to create zones

If you need your small space to suit multiple uses, a patterned rug can create different zones in a small room. As an example, use one rug to define a living space and another to define a kitchen area in one room. You can also achieve this effect by using colour in alcoves or on the walls which will create different areas.

Select Small-Scale Pieces

Select furniture that won’t overpower the room or appear to dominate the space. A sofa with thin arms and a tight upholstery is better than one with substantial arms and a really soft, squishy appearance.

Choose smaller tables with fine legs instead of boxy ones that appear heavy. If you can see the floor through your furniture the room will have a lighter and more open look. You can literally create more space by keeping all your accessories delicate and fine when you’re styling up a piece of furniture.


I really hope you found this post useful. As Simon and I will be sharing our bedroom with a little baby very soon I am definitely going to be following my own advice!


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Hi I'm Nancy!

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