Functional Decor for Small Spaces

Living in small spaces has its challenges, so today I’m sharing five ideas for decorating when space is limited. Whether you’re renting, saving up for more space, or have just chosen to inhabit less square feet, it’s still possible to have a home that is stylish, reflects your personality, and works well for you and your family.

For more organization tips, you can read my Home Organization 101 series, but for this post we’re focusing more on decor with a function, since you may not want to fill up what little space you have with knick knacks and tchotchkes.

Choose Decorative Lighting

We all have lighting of some sort in our homes, so why not have beautiful lighting? Even if you don’t have space for decorations for decorations sake, you can still create a beautiful space by being intentional with your lighting.

Consider your table lamps, floor lamps, pendant lights, chandeliers, flush mounts, wall sconces—anything that lights up is fair game! Even your garage sconces could use a makeover! You can create a cohesive look by choosing all one finish (we are slowly, but surely changing out all of our overhead lighting in our home to matte black), or mix and match different colors and finishes to show off your style.

Create Storage in Unexpected Ways

Some furniture have rooms or uses that are typically ascribed to them. For example, dressers are typically seen to be for clothing storage in bedrooms. But what if you used a dresser for a TV stand and game storage in your living room, or as extra dish and linen storage in your dining room?

You can create storage in your house however you see fit, so think outside the box with the furniture that you already have and see if something might be put to better use in a different area of your home.

Create a “Gallery Wall” with a Photo Ledge

If you don’t have a ton of space, but have lots of photos and/or artwork you’d like to display, a gallery wall can be a great solution. However, gallery walls can often overwhelm a small room, making it look more cluttered than it is.

A simplified, more streamlined look can be created with a photo ledge. Purchase a photo ledge, hang it, then mix and match your favorite framed pieces. This is also a great solution for rotating artwork and photos since you’re only making the holes in the wall once for the ledge!

Utilize Vertical Space

High and low areas of our home can often be wasted space, but they don’t have to be! Purchase a tall bookshelf or install shelves all the way up to the ceiling. Buy under-the-bed storage bins and take back that space from the dust bunnies. Install shelves at the top of your closets to store away infrequently needed items. Put drawers or dressers in your closet to make the most of the floor space.

Get creative with storage solutions that are higher and lower than eye-level, and you’ll be surprised by how much you’ve been missing out on!

Style Out Your Sofa

Most of us have sofas in our homes, no matter how few square feet we have. Take advantage of this large piece of furniture by making it cozy and beautiful. Here’s my recipe for a beautifully styled (and comfortable!) sofa:

1. Variety of Pillows
Having an assortment of throw pillows on your sofa is always a good idea. Not only do they add pattern, color, and texture, they also add coziness and comfort. Depending on your sofa and pillow sizes, as well as how often the sofa is used, one to five pillows should suffice.

2. Cozy Throws
A comfy throw (or three!) is a must for any sofa, especially here in Minnesota! To ensure comfort for guests, have a beautiful and warm throw within reach. Throws are another great way to introduce new colors and patterns to your styling. When you sign up for my newsletter you’ll get my free guide to mixing patterns!

3. Side & Coffee Tables
Consider what’s surrounding your sofa. Providing side tables with adequate lighting and a place to sit a drink will make your space much cozier and functional. Coffee tables should generally be two-thirds the length of your sofa and the same height as the cushions (or 1–2 inches lower).

Remember—these are simply guidelines. Feel free to break the rules here and there, and let your own unique style shine through your sofa!

 

So I hope that you have a few ideas and feel inspired to decorate your space, no matter how small. All it takes is a little creativity and a willingness to try new things!