Design Tips and Tricks for Small-Space Living

Today, many people are making a deliberate decision to live “small” in small apartments, condos and homes. Sometimes, a lifestyle change—such as a job switch, relocation, empty nest or retirement—may guide a decision to downsize. For others, it’s an active choice to live a simpler life that allows more economic freedom, less maintenance and environmental advantages. In this vein, there’s even a whole movement of tiny houses!

Living in a small home doesn’t necessarily mean living without. In fact, there are many ways to get the max out of a minimal footprint. An interior designer can help you get the most out of the space you have available, and work to make even small rooms extremely functional and full of personality. A designer can guide you through every step of the process, from choosing appropriately sized furniture to suit the scale of your place, to finding décor that will curate the aesthetic you love without making your room look cluttered.

Read on for small living design ideas for your entryway, living spaces, dining room and small bedrooms. These right-sized tips are effective whether you are struggling to get the most out of a smaller-sized room in your home, or attempting to downsize your entire quarters without losing out on style.

Design Ideas for Small Entryway

The entryway is the first thing your guests will see inside your home, so it’s an ideal place to start when organizing and designing your home. Even some larger homes have small entryways and limited closet space by the front doors. Small entrance ways are a common design challenge, because they see a significant amount of foot traffic and have to accommodate a great quantity of gear, from keys and accessories, to school and work items, and an abundance of shoes and outdoor accessories. Plus, there’s entryway accent pieces and décor that can seemingly add to the clutter—if they aren’t selected and arranged right.

Furnishings and accent pieces can help make sure that your small foyer leaves a great first impression.

• Storage bench - Multifunctional pieces are game changers when it comes to small space design, and entryways are no different. An entryway bench with storage is a classic that never goes out of style. Choose from classic to contemporary designs, and gain a place for family members and guests to sit while they tie their shoes, as well as handy storage for outdoor accessories and more.
• Shoe racks, shelves and shoe ladders – Entryway shoe storage is a common issue. If your apartment or house doesn’t have a closet close by, it’s inevitable that shoes and winter boots start piling up by your door. There are many creative solutions for keeping your shoes out of sight. Multifunctional storage is a good idea here, like the aforementioned storage bench or a smaller storage ottoman. You can alternatively use large hooks to hang shoes if you’re lacking the floor space for them. Shelving solutions can easily be modified to be shoe storage. Shoe ladders are also popular options, as they only require a small design footprint while lending ample storage and style.
• Accent table and tray - A beautiful accent table can be both fashionable and functional. For tight entryways, choose a small accent table, like a hall accent table, with shelves and drawers where you can place objects that are handy to have close to the door. You can further style the table by placing a stylish tray on top of it. This tray can be a designated drop spot for your keys, wallet and other essentials, clearing the clutter and making them easy to find as you rush out the door in the busy mornings.
• Hall chest or accent cabinet - If you have enough room for a small hall chest or accent cabinet, these pieces can do wonders for the organization of your entryway. Choose from various styles and sizes, with a variety of storage options.

Design guide for small entryways: When it comes to styling a compact entryway, minimalism is key. To avoid clutter, style your entryway with simple accents and intentional storage solutions like baskets.

A gorgeous area rug is the perfect design addition to a small space, and a variety of standard sizes are available to suit any footprint. Floor mats and runners add a pop of color to your entryway, while rectangular or round area rugs are available in endless motifs. Looking for something a little different? A hearth area rug in a half round shape fits well in front of a door and is available in an array of sizes.

Finally, just because the space is small, doesn’t mean you should skimp on style. For wall art, a single medium to large piece of wall art can have a big impact without adding a cluttered feel, like small groupings of artwork may do. Another option is a wall mirror. Mirrors are not only practical, allowing homeowners a spot for a final hair and outfit check as they leave the house, but mirrors also provide spatial benefits, reflecting light and seemingly opening up a space.

Small Living Room Furniture and Design Ideas

The keys to furnishing small living spaces are to select appropriately scaled furniture and utilize multi-functional pieces whenever possible. Choose your key furniture pieces, such as a sectional, sofa, recliners and accent chairs, to match the scale of your living spaces. For instance, a bulky sectional or sofa can make your small living room look even smaller. By selecting a more compact sofa or even using a loveseat as your main seating piece, you can still enjoy sitting back and relaxing in your space—without making your quarters feel cramped.

To complement these key pieces, select a few accent pieces that will fit in your space and won’t overpower the other furniture in your room, such as a small chairside table that also includes shelves and/or drawers for storage.

Here are some items that can help you get the most out of the available space in your living room, while also serving up large helpings of style.

• Sofa sleepers – Pull-out couches (and some sectionals, loveseats and even chairs) offer the seating you need during the day and can accommodate overnight guests, as needed. Sofa sleepers are a great option if you don’t have a separate guest room and spare bed in your small home.
• Storage ottomans – Instead of a traditional coffee table, consider utilizing a storage ottoman next to your sofa. Ottomans can be used as extra seating when you are entertaining. Set a tray on top of your storage ottoman for a more secure serving spot.
• Nesting tables – These accent tables, with a larger table and one or more smaller tables that can be tucked underneath, are a versatile option that work for holding party snacks and beverages, without taking up too much room when the party's over.
• Lift top coffee tables - Versatile and stylish, a lift-top coffee table with storage can function as a work space, supporting multi-tasking living spaces.
• Floor lamp with table in base - A lamp with an incorporated shelf and tabletop can be both stylish and make the most of space in a living area or nook.

Design tips for living large in small living spaces: There are a few tried and true strategies that interior designers employ to help maximize small spaces—or at least the “feel” of these spaces. For instance, it’s generally recommended to use light colors on the walls and floor, and stick with a consistent color scheme throughout your room to create a sense of spaciousness and cohesion.

For accent pieces, try glass-top coffee or end tables, which are on trend and consume minimal visual space. You can also strategically hang an oversized mirror across from a window to reflect more light and create the illusion of a larger room.

When it comes to area rugs for a less-spacious living room, it’s common to err on the small size. However, a mis-proportioned rug can actually make your room feel smaller. Instead, choose a larger area rug to emphasize the available space. Just leave around 18 – 24 inches of exposed floor around the perimeter.

Tips and Tricks for Tiny Dining Quarters

When setting up your dining area, the dining table is the star of the show, even in small spaces. A perfect small space dining table can turn any room from “tight” to “just right,” and you have plenty of options to find the perfect fit for your space. When determining the ideal table for your room, you should plan on at least three feet of space between the table edge and an obstruction like a server or wall. This provides sufficient space for people to move around the table, and in and out from their seats.

Some furniture types and décor items to consider for a small dining room, include:

• Extension tables – Choose an expandable table for a versatile solution for those who are short on space but still like to entertain on occasion. Space-saving extension tables can reduce to four or even two person tables for your family to enjoy day-to-day and, depending on the table, can extend large enough to seat up to twelve people for when you’re ready to party.
• Folding chairs – When you extend your table for guests, you need extra seating as well. Folding chairs are a staple for accommodating extra dinner guests, and there are more stylish options available today that are nice enough even for formal dinner parties.
• Dining benches or banquettes are versatile seating solutions, allowing multiple guests, especially kids, to scoot in and make room as needed. They can also be tucked under your table when not in use, giving you extra space to maneuver around the dining table throughout the day. Bonus points for dining benches with storage, because, well—storage!
• Counter islands or sofa tables with counter stools - If you have no room for a dining table but need a space to work or entertain, these solutions with stools can provide the necessary tabletop space without consuming much room.
• Area rugs can help establish a distinct dining space. Pick a large rug, big enough so that all four legs of your chairs (or bench) sit nicely on top of it. Too small and you run the risk of shrinking your space even more.

Dining room design—what’s on the menu? While these big(ger) pieces are the main course, there are a few other tips that can help your dining area look more spacious. Low profile seating is a great choice, especially if your small space doesn’t have a separate room for dining. An alternative trend is to add counter height or pub tables with stools. Skinny rectangular tables are also a good fit for some small spaces.

If the wall space is limited around your dining table, consider another way to add in some “artwork”. An eye-catching light fixture, like a chandelier or other hanging light fixture, can perform triple duty. It’s a great solution to brighten up your dining experience, introduces some extra design personality to the space, and helps with the visual differentiation between your dining area and the rest of the home.

Dreamy Small Bedroom Design Ideas

One of the most effective small bedroom design ideas centers around one goal: keep it simple. The less busy the layout of the room appears, the bigger the room will look. As a bonus, minimalist bedrooms also lend a sense of peace and calm, which is ideal for your bedroom retreat. Focus on the flow of the room, especially around the bed, to maximize your space. First, choose a bed size that will best fit your space and your sleep needs. For most adult small bedroom inhabitants, a queen bed is the right fit.

Another great way to maximize your space is to turn to creative storage solutions, like a storage bed frame. Beds with built-in under the bed storage give you even more “closet” space without bulking up the layout. You can switch out a big dresser or armoire with a bedframe with storage for a simple small bedroom space solution. However, it’s important to note the depth or width of the bedroom to ensure sufficient space to open the drawers on the sides or end of the bed. Many custom options are available to best suit your space needs.

• Vertical dressers and chest of drawers – Opt for tall, not wide, bedroom storage pieces, like tall chests and lingerie chests, to get just as much storage while consuming less floor space.
• Small or eclectic night tables - A king or queen bed can be paired with smaller nightstands to enhance the space yet maximize comfort.
• Storage ottomans, benches and trunks – These versatile pieces work great in bedrooms too! Use them as seating next to the foot of your bed, and storage extra linens and accessories for easy access.

When designing a small bedroom, it’s important to consider the effect bedding will have on the room. Designers tend to pair beautiful, but not bulky, bed frames with a lot of plush looking linens. Choose comforters, throw blankets and throw pillows in different textures to bring visual interest to your small space.

Another bedroom solution that’s small in space but not in style are curtains and other window treatments. By expanding the design space up around the windows, window treatments can create the illusion of space visually without taking away from the flow of your room. Light colored or white curtains, especially those that are gauzy or thinner, can instantly turn a smaller bedroom into an airy oasis.

By employing these bedroom, dining room, living and entryway design best practices, you can create a functional and fashionable small space for everyday living and entertaining alike!