6 small-space decorating mistakes, fixed in seconds
When you live in a tiny home, it’s hard to know where to put all your stuff. That new pair of heels? I guess they’ll have to double as decor on the mantel. That massive accumulation of books? Say hello to a makeshift side table. If you find yourself living in close quarters, then we don’t need to remind you how tricky decorating can be in a small space, where maximizing storage, utilizing square footage and creative organization hacks are of utmost importance.
Since everyone has made mistakes along the way, we thought we’d share quick fixes so you can avoid learning the hard way. Read on for six mistakes to watch out for when outfitting your petite pad.
Natural light is a small space’s best friend. Maximize yours by placing mirrors on opposite walls from your windows to reflect and spread the light. Opt for woven blinds or sheer privacy curtains to filter sunlight rather than block it, and if the natural rays filtering into your space are limited, keep your paint hues and dominant furniture colors light to brighten the overall mood. Cohesion, cohesion, cohesion. If your home has multiple small, adjacent rooms, help it feel larger by visually connecting the rooms through a unified color palette, material story or overall style. This will help the entire space seamlessly flow together. The sooner you accept you have a small space and start taking steps to make the most of it, the quicker you’ll be able to craft chic surroundings. If you don’t have room for a bedside table, squeezing one in will only make your room feel more cramped. Instead, opt for a stool to rest remote controls, magazines and tiny table lamps. If a media cabinet won’t fit in your available square footage, mount a flatscreen on the wall, or tuck it into a bookshelf. Instead of a full-size desk, consider a vanity or narrow console.
No matter how many smart storage solutions you incorporate, you’ll always have limited space. It’s important to evaluate your belongings and make sure everything is meaningful or functional.
Separately, never underestimate the power of mirrors. They can double the visual space in a small home and reflect light and color to add visual interest. Mirrored backsplashes increase the size of a small kitchen, mirrored furniture provides an unexpected reflective surface, and large mirrored panels on a wall look like additional windows.
Get creative when it comes to storage areas. Incorporating floor-to-ceiling shelving, utilizing the space above the window frame and adding built-in seating maximize functionality.
If your kitchen is petite, rather than use counter space for knickknacks, utilize the space under the upper cabinets for hanging utensil storage so your drawers and cabinets are free to hide less-attractive necessities. If your bathroom is tiny, forgo art above the toilet in favor of a hanging cabinet.
If you do prefer minimalistic styles, then amplifying your small space by avoiding clutter is probably easier. But if you love maximalism, don’t fret over size. A lack of square footage doesn’t mean your home has to be bland. Incorporate large-scale patterns and bright-colored accents to bring interest to your pad. Bold wallpaper in a color scheme that connects your rooms, or bright drapery hung close to the ceiling, will create focal points to distract the eye from a lack of excess space.