White walls. Downsized furniture. Unadorned surfaces. Style tips like these make decorating small spaces a bore.
The following seven homes break every guideline in the less-is-more rulebook. Each micro space proves when done right, you don’t need a lot of square footage to create a home that’s brimming with style.
01of 08. Stylish Tips for Decorating Small Spaces
02of 08. Scale Down Your Furniture
Sometimes a single piece of bulky furniture will add a lot of appeal to a small space.
Stuffing the tiny nook shown here with several pieces of small-scale furnishings would make it feel cramped and crowded.
However, filling most of this space with a large sectional sofa makes this compact living room very inviting.
03of 08. More Is More
French blogger Éléonore Bridge transformed her 377-square-foot crash pad into a stylish home by embracing a more-is-more décor theme.
How did she pull this look together? Walls and furniture in soft shades set the stage for her colorful wall art, curios, and home accessories.
04of 08. Paint Ceilings a Light Color
Dark ceilings can add depth to a small bright space with white walls. The trick to making this work is using a satin or semi-gloss paint that reflects light. Unlike a flat dark color, one with a sheen will keep your space feeling bright.
05of 08. Use a Single Area Rug to Anchor a Room
When done right, rugs can create different zones in a small room. This 100-square-foot space uses a large rug to establish the living room, and a smaller one to carve out the home office.
06of 08. Paint Walls White
Dark walls can add architectural interest to a small space when paired with features in a contrasting light shade.
This stylish kitchen offsets dramatic black walls with a white ceiling and cabinetry. White paint creates the illusion of molding around the door’s edges and the top of the walls.
07of 08. Dining Furniture Should Match
A matching dining set does look pulled together. But if you want to make a bold, stylish statement, a mismatched set like the one shown here has a big wow factor.
To pull off this look, you’ll need to make sure that the chairs you pick are the correct seating height for the table you’re using.
To create a bohemian vibe, use an eclectic mix of seats as shown here. For a clean, and contemporary look, keep all the chairs the same style, with each one being a different color.
08of 08. Recessed Lighting Make Small Spaces Appear Bigger
Recessed ceiling light fixtures enhance small spaces without taking up precious floor or vertical space. However, layering your lighting will let you add brightness and style to where you want it.
As shown here, an oversized pendant shade gives this tiny living room a beautiful focal point while illuminating the coffee table. The floor lamp on the right is for reading. The two small table lamps in the middle provide this tiny room with a diffused decorative light.
This article provides a refreshing perspective on decorating small spaces by challenging outdated rules. Breaking away from conventional norms like avoiding dark colors or large furniture pieces opens up exciting possibilities for maximizing space and adding personality to smaller areas.
I appreciate how this piece encourages creativity and individuality in small space decorating. By debunking rules such as sticking to minimalism or avoiding patterns, it empowers readers to experiment with their décor choices, ultimately making their homes feel more unique and personalized.
As someone who’s struggled with making a small space feel both functional and stylish, I found this article incredibly liberating. Learning that I can embrace bold designs, mix patterns, and even go against the ‘matchy-matchy’ trend has given me a newfound confidence in decorating my compact living area. It’s all about making the space work for me, rather than adhering to outdated guidelines.
Exploring outdated rules for decorating small spaces feels liberating, offering fresh perspectives and creative freedom to maximize every inch of my living area.
Breaking traditional decorating norms for small spaces is exciting, as it encourages innovative solutions and personalized touches that reflect my style and personality.
Learning about outdated decorating rules for small spaces is empowering, empowering me to reimagine my home’s design and create a functional yet stylish environment that suits my lifestyle.