The Do's and Don'ts of Decorating Small Spaces, According to Designers
Living in an apartment or smaller home can come with some unique design challenges. Whether you're trying to find the best layout for a little living room, the perfect paint shade for a tiny bathroom or solve compact kitchen storage woes, we're sharing tips from designers about what not to do when decorating your small space. After all, when square footage is limited, it's more important than ever to make clever design choices. Read on for the best tips to take your home from cramped to cozy.
Take this petite living room as an example. While crisp white walls and neutral decor are undeniably timeless and beautiful, don't think these are your only options when selecting finishes for small spaces. Sometimes drenching a confined area in a dark and moody hue can up the drama and make the room feel more inviting and intentional.
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Ted Yarwood
2 / 32
Don't ... Drape Curtains Right Above Your Window Frame
These light wool curtains run floor to ceiling, giving the window in this small bedroom a dramatic and spacious vibe. Custom furniture, including a 10-inch-deep, built-in storage unit, utilizes every foot of space and eliminates the need for bulky dressers. —
Kimberley Seldon, designer and owner, Kimberley Seldon Design Group
More photos after this Ad
Photo: The Land of Nod
3 / 32
Don't ... Overwhelm a Room With Too Many Patterns
Choose a hero piece as the focal point for your room, like a bold upholstery pattern for the sofa. Then use a mix of quieter neutrals for the remaining furniture and walls to keep the space light and open. —
Danielle Kurtz, creative director, The Land of Nod
More photos after this Ad
Photo: The Container Store
4 / 32
Don't ... Forget the Back of the Door
Make use of otherwise wasted vertical space by creating extra storage on the back of a closet, pantry or mudroom door. Over-the-door hooks can be customized with baskets and racks of different sizes. —
Sharon Tindell, chief merchandising officer, The Container Store
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Be Afraid to Paint Everything the Same Color
Blur the lines by continuing your wall color onto the ceiling; doing so makes everything feel more cohesive and less cramped. —
Brian Patrick Flynn, designer, Flynnside Out Productions
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Brian Podnos
6 / 32
Don't ... Underestimate What You Can Do With a Closet
We took an underutilized closet and turned it into a bar by lining it with faux croc wallpaper, then adding studs and a framed photo to the back of the door. The built-in drawers were dressed with vintage brass pulls and sprayed in black lacquer while the tray, outfitted with drawer glides, was lit from the shelf above. —
Robert Stuart, owner, Robert Stuart Interiors
More photos after this Ad
Photo: The Land of Nod
7 / 32
Don't ... Be Afraid to Hang Things Up (Even Furniture!)
Consider desks or bookcases that hang on the wall, which allow for more flexibility in your space planning. Take advantage of vertical wall space; floating shelves don't require a lot of room and offer an additional place to corral clutter. —
Danielle Kurtz, creative director, The Land of Nod
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Forget to Utilize the Stairs
Adding cubbies, shelves or hanging space under a staircase provides storage in an otherwise unused area and creates a designated spot for rain boots, backpacks and sports equipment. Whether it's open or closed storage — or a combination of both — be sure to go as high as you can to maximize storage. —
Ginny Snook Scott, organization expert, California Closets
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Clutter Tables With Lamps and Frames
Suspended light bulbs and an oversized photo mural keep desks free of lamps and photographs, while bunk beds provide extra space for kids to work and play. —
Cortney Novogratz, designer, The Novogratz and star of HGTV's Home by Novogratz
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Forget to Utilize the Foyer
We maximized every inch of this small studio by utilizing the narrow entryway that houses a home office, a mini bar and a closet that hides the washer/dryer and pantry. —
Sofia Joelsson, owner, SoJo Design
More photos after this Ad
Photo: The Land of Nod
11 / 32
Don't ... Buy an Oversized Sofa
Opt for furniture with clean, slim profiles, like this armless sofa, which gives the space more breathing room and a lighter feel overall. —
Danielle Kurtz, creative director, The Land of Nod
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Shun Sconces
Sconces can free up important real estate in small spaces. By taking lamps off the table and floor and attaching them to the wall, you're making these areas way more functional and a lot freer. —
Emily Henderson, designer, Emily Henderson Design and Target Home style expert
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Forget Under-Bed Storage
One of the most practical but least-utilized spaces in the bedroom is under the bed. This handmade platform bed features storage on both sides for books, craft supplies, seasonal clothes, accessories and more. Ditch cheap plastic bins for attractive wire baskets to corral clutter. -
Courtney Weston, blogger, Always Rooney
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Douglas Young
14 / 32
Don't ... Just Think Square Sink
This round sink opens up the space and makes it easy to maneuver around the tiny bathroom. To avoid feeling cramped, we passed on closed storage and installed a linear wall shelf above the sink to hold cotton swabs, lotions and even flowers. —
Betty Wasserman, designer, Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Use Cabinets in a Small Bathroom
Cabinets in a small bathroom can take up a lot of space; create storage by using hanging baskets and rails on the wall, then use accessory containers to organize all the small stuff.
— Janice Simonsen, design spokesperson, IKEA
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Eric Striffler
16 / 32
Don't ... Forget to Play Up Nooks and Crannies
Play up unusual shapes by covering them in a bold-patterned wallpaper. I used a large floral repeat to accent this wall's triangular shape. —
James Huniford, founder, Huniford Design Studios
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Sacrifice Style When It Comes to Storage
Beautiful baskets in bright prints or unique textures do a great job corralling toys and extra blankets, but they're also a great way to add decor to a small space without cluttering up a room. I love to place them in corners or under side tables. —
Jodi McKee, craft blogger and Pinterest influencer
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Decorative Traces
18 / 32
Don't ... Think You Can't Squeeze in Another Piece of Furniture
Activate corner space with a modular shelving system; this one allowed us to sneak in a single-leg desk where we otherwise could not have done so. —
Jessica Stambaugh, owner, Decorative Traces
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Get Locked Into Conventional Seating
Many people think modular seating arrangements won't work in a small space, but they can actually take up less room than a traditional sofa and loveseat.
— Janice Simonsen, design spokesperson, IKEA
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Marcia Prentice
20 / 32
Don't ... Neglect the Corners of a Small Room
We were able to squeeze a large rectangular table into a small kitchen by utilizing the corner and creating a built-in banquette. A tiny niche allows for storage and display without having to bring in additional furniture. Placing the large drum light over the table eliminated the need for additional fixtures in the room. —
Karen Vidal, owner, Design Vidal
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Costas Picadas
21 / 32
Don't ... Always Go With a Small Area Rug
A wall-to-wall area rug that fills a room will create the illusion of a bigger space. This colorful diamond-weave pattern gives this small space a welcoming jolt of energy. —
Fawn Galli, owner, Fawn Galli Interiors
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Peter Margonelli
22 / 32
Don't ... Pass on Paneling
The paneled walls and coffered ceiling in this small dining room provide so much architectural integrity that the size of the room becomes an afterthought. A round dining table makes it easy for guests to navigate the space, while a high-hanging chandelier leaves views unobstructed. —
Christopher Maya, owner, Christopher Maya Inc.
More photos after this Ad
Photo: That's My Letter
23 / 32
Don't ... Be Afraid to Mix Different Wood Finishes
The dark cedar walls contrast with the light cedar floor to give this bathroom an open feel. The planks are laid in different directions, making the room look longer and wider than it really is. —
Anne Reagan, editor in chief, Porch.com
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Think You Can't Add a Closet
Create a floor-to-ceiling closet by attaching rods and shelves to a wall, then draping off the area with a set of curtains. Define your storage needs, then choose the best spot. Here we moved the bed to the center of the room and built the closet on the wall behind it.
— Janice Simonsen, design spokesperson, IKEA
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Clutter a Table With Lots of Chairs
Maximize your seating with a banquette that runs the length of the room. Pull away the table during a party, and you have the perfect spot for guests to gather. —
David Bromstad, designer, DAVID BROMSTAD and HGTV personality
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Decorative Traces
26 / 32
Don't ... Push Furniture Against the Walls
Pulling furniture off the wall towards the center of a room keeps a small space feeling open and airy. The floating desk in this home office adds a sophisticated and intentional touch to this space. —
Jessica Stambaugh, owner, Decorative Traces
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Ted Yarwood
27 / 32
Don't ... Hang a Small Mirror in a Small Bathroom
This tiny bathroom feels significantly larger thanks to the expanded viewpoint offered up by the wall-to-wall mirror. Mirroring an entire wall will amplify any space; hang one on a wall adjacent to a window and the reflection will open things up even more. —
Kimberley Seldon, designer and owner, Kimberley Seldon Design Group
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Douglas Young
28 / 32
Don't ... Buy a Bulky Sleeper Sofa
This cottage is only 650 square feet — basically one large room with a bath and kitchenette. Instead of trying to work a sleeping area into the layout, we opted for a Murphy bed and hid it behind this oversized woven walnut door. —
Betty Wasserman, designer, Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Antoine Bootz
29 / 32
Don't ... Buy a Traditional Coffee Table
In a tight space, smaller tables are more compact and can be moved around when needed as opposed to a large, rectangular coffee table. Go with a glass top for a less bulky look. —
David Scott, owner, David Scott Interiors
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Restless Arrow
30 / 32
Don't ... Underestimate the Power of White
An all-white space allows light to bounce and reflect around the room, making any space appear bigger and brighter. An organized desk and minimal decor create an even more spacious feel, while the slightly warmer white found in the chandelier beads give off a cozy vibe. —
Anne Reagan, editor in chief, Porch.com
More photos after this Ad
Don't ... Shy Away From Bold Colors
Bold colors actually make a small space appear larger and more dramatic. Paint the walls, furniture and crown molding in a saturated color, then pair your monochromatic color scheme with something unexpected, like this white Lucite coffee table that lights up from within. —
Ghislaine Vinas, owner, Ghislaine Vinas Interior Design
More photos after this Ad
Photo: Douglas Young
32 / 32
Don't ... Go With a Standard Swing Door
By using a barn-style door and putting it on tracks, we were able to create more space without having to swing a door in or out in this cottage's kitchen and bathroom. The door was original to the home's potting shed; we simply exchanged the clear glass with frosted glass for bathroom privacy. —
Betty Wasserman, designer, Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors
