Make It Multifunctional
Make your room multifunctional by carving out distinct zones for various functions. Here, a lofted bed hides atop a closet unit, combining two important bedroom necessities into one and leaving the rest of the available space free to serve as an office area.
Related: 10 Tips for Creating a Home Office that Works for You
Swap Your Doors
Traditional doors require a significant footprint to allow for their swing. Consider swapping traditional French doors for sliding doors, and your small space will feel more open. This slider hangs from a valance just under the ceiling. As a bonus, its subtle blue shade adds a pop of color to the space.
Related: Tight Quarters? 10 Smart Space-Saving Door Solutions
Get Leggy
Furniture that’s upholstered all the way to the floor can swallow up a room fast. In a small space, opt for open pieces that are supported by slim legs—they will feel lighter and airier. The more floor you can see, the bigger the room feels.
Related: Double-Duty Furniture—9 Affordable Favorites That Save Space
Add an Unexpected Element
Emphasize whatever assets your small space has by creating unexpected but eye-pleasing focal points. This room highlights multiple showstoppers, including the statement-making floor pattern and pops of color on the window trim. It's the climbing plant on the wall, however, that steals the show, drawing the eye upward to make the space feel bigger.
Related: Awesome Accents—17 Ways to Make Any Space Pop with Color
Mix Storage with Decor
Make practical shelving pretty by mixing decorative elements with items that need to be stored. These shelves house everyday objects that are camouflaged by colorful accessories, adding elevated style to an otherwise ordinary organization staple.
Related: Shelf Life—10 Bookcases You Can Make Yourself
Get Rid of Unnecessary Furniture
Purge any furniture that you don’t absolutely need in a small space, and find creative ways to replace its functionality. This diminutive bedroom easily does without a side table by mounting a reading lamp to the wall and using a deep window ledge for bedside storage.
Related: Get Organized—25 Clever Ideas for Repurposed Storage
Try Open Storage
Open shelving visually fills less space than closed cabinets, and is a great way to display collections of favorite dishware, cookbooks, or other kitchen necessities. The only catch is to keep them neat—otherwise they might end up adding clutter to your room instead of calm.
Related: 9 Calming Colors for a Serene Home
Choose a Color Theme
Use a cohesive color theme to unify decor in a small space. Consistent pops of blue and black add energy to this white palette, giving the room a streamlined and visually organized feel.
Related: Winning Combinations—9 "Can't Miss" Color Schemes
flickr.com / via coco+kelley
Expand with Mirrors
It’s a go-to design trick because it works: Hang mirrors in a small room to make it feel lighter and brighter. And don’t be afraid to use more than one! While you might want to avoid placing them directly across from one another, combining wall mirrors with mirrored furniture is a great way to make a small space feel larger.
Related: 10 Classic Ways to Brighten a Dark Room
Loft Your Bed
Raising your sleeping quarters allows you to use floor space in other functional ways, such as for additional furniture or organization pieces. With the bed out of the way, this room uses floor space mainly for barrier-free lounging and living.
Related: 10 Bunk Beds Well Worth the Climb
Consider Sky-High Storage
Utilize every inch of vertical space and make the room feel more open by incorporating tall cabinets or stacked shelves into your space. Keep decorative accessories on top shelves, and fill the lower ones with items that are used frequently but still need to be stored.
Clear Your Space
Furniture made of lucite or glass will virtually disappear to the eye. A small space can benefit from that transparency—what once felt cluttered and clunky will instead feel airy and light.
Related: 10 Alternatives to a Formal Dining Room
Play with Height and Proportion
Varying the height of seating can help you get more out of a small space. Floor pillows, ottomans, poufs, or even kids' furniture mixed in with the rest of the design can help a small room accommodate a crowd.
Related: Storage Ottomans—Clear Clutter Quickly, Easily, and with Style
Zillow Digs home in Menlo Park, CA
For More...
For more on maximizing your small space, consider:
10 Ways to Live Large in a (Very) Small Space
Start Fresh: 10 Essentials for an Organized Entryway
The Best 9 Storage Spots You Aren't Already Using
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