How to Make the Most Out of Your Small Space
Last updated on February 4th, 2025
Living in a small space, but unsure how to make it cozy without feeling cramped? Or maybe you just have an awkward area in your home that you struggle to “fit” into the rest of your space. Whether you’re decorating a small apartment, updating a cozy nook, or enhancing a corner in a larger home, the right design choices can transform any space into a stunning retreat, no matter the square footage. Let’s explore different ways to make the most out of your small space.
Choose colors that make spaces look bigger
Colors can be the easiest way to make a small area feel larger. The key is to pick light shades like creams, cool pastels, or even pale greys for an airy and open vibe. Pair them with pops of more vibrant or deeper tones to make the space livelier. For walls, rugs, and furniture, stick to complementary colors that help maintain visual flow. Need help choosing colors? Palette creators like Coolors are a great starting point.
Renter-friendly tip
Looking for an easy way to repaint an apartment without risking your deposit? Several peel-and-stick wallpaper brands also offer plain, paintable options that you can pull off when you’re done.
You can also find a peel-and-stick option to decorate other areas like wall and floor tiles. If you take the peel-and-stick route, try laying down some painter’s tape first to make it easier to remove later!
Make sure to pick the right size rug
We’ve gone on at length about how important it is to choose the right size rug for a room. This is especially important in small spaces. The wrong size can easily make a room look even smaller or overtake the space entirely. Go for a rug that anchors your furniture but leaves enough floor space around the edges.
Accidentally bought a rug that’s too small for your space? Try layering it with a larger rug! This creates a fun dimensional look and saves you from having to toss the smaller one.
Can putting a rug in a small living room make it feel larger?
Absolutely! As long as it’s not too small, a rug can create the illusion of more space by drawing the eye outward. It also helps ground the furniture in the room so you don’t have that “floating” effect, which makes the space feel more balanced.
Use rugs to define open floor plans
Rugs are a great way to separate distinct areas in open layouts like studio apartments. A small rug under a coffee table can separate the living room from the dining area, while a runner leads the eye down a narrow hallway. For small outdoor areas like patios or balconies, an outdoor rug can create a cozier space.
Get creative with your walls
Shelves are an essential item when it comes to maximizing space, but there are plenty of other creative ways to make use of your walls. Instead of a floor lamp, for example, you could use pendant lights. Some are even styled to look like classic ceiling lights. With these, you can use a few hooks to anchor them to the ceiling. This can especially come in handy if your room isn’t equipped with classic lighting.
A renter-friendly way to hook up pendant lights is with adhesive-backed hooks. Just bear in mind that the longer they stay on, the more likely they are to damage paint if you try to pull them off.
An easy way to get hooks off with little to no damage is by using a hair dryer to heat up the adhesive. Then, carefully peel at an angle using the tab. If the paint starts to pull away from the wall, gently push it back into place. You may need to repeat this process a few times until the hook is completely removed.
Instead of the traditional framed artwork route, try hanging fabric panels, tapestries, or even repurpose a flatweave rug for the wall.
Don’t forget about texture
Layering textures can bring more depth to small spaces without adding clutter. For an easy pairing, toss a mix of fringed, velvet, or linen pillows onto a sofa with a matching blanket, then finish with a cozy shag rug.
Save this post for later!
Decorating small spaces takes creativity, but the results are worth it. If you found these tips helpful, don’t forget to share this post or save it for your next design project.
