Decorating Small Spaces Small Home Decorating Ideas 11 Small-House Ideas to Make the Most of Your Spaces By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Instagram Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on August 13, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Looking for some small house inspiration? Homeowner and designer Doug Davis shows how he makes the most of his charming 534-square-foot home. Steal his clever decorating and space-saving tricks to live big in your own small spaces. 01 of 08 Small Home, Sweet Home A few design, style, and organization tricks can make a small house live large. Customize these ideas to your layout and floor plan for a personalized, yet strategic setup that works for you. 02 of 08 Tricks for Small Living Rooms Trick #1: Exposed-leg furniture airs out a space, but every room needs a little grounding. Here, the skirted sofa is up for the job. Without it, the leggy pieces would look as if they were ready to walk away. Trick #2: A patterned area rug can make a small space look busy. Layer a smaller patterned rug over a larger solid rug to introduce just the right amount of pattern panache. Trick #3: Choose materials that don't obstruct sight lines. Here, a wire mesh coffee table adds texture and function without visual weight. "It's the same effect as a Lucite piece in that it's almost invisible," Doug says. 03 of 08 Multiple Choices Trick #4: Think versatility. In this living room, a dresser becomes a media console and—with drawers removed—a bookcase. "It's also like a mantel, giving me a place to create a focal point," Doug says. Learn more about small living room decorating. 04 of 08 Mirror, Mirror Trick #5: Create the illusion of a spacious room by adding mirrors to your decor. The simple, yet versatile accessories add depth to the room and open it up with added light and dimension. "Antique glass is a nice way to open up a room without feeling like you're staring at yourself," Doug says. 05 of 08 Small Kitchen, Big Ideas Trick #6: Slimmed down appliances, including a 24-inch-wide gas range and a 27-inch-wide refrigerator give the 8x11-foot kitchen an unexpected gourmet quality. Trick #7: Use texture to convey style. Ribbed glass (rather than clear glass or solid doors) becomes build-in decoration in a hard-to-decorate space. Inside, everyday dishes stand out like display pieces. 06 of 08 Eat, Prep, Work Trick #8: Double up function when needed. This home lacks a dining room and contends with a small kitchen. A restaurant work table in the corner of the kitchen is a dining table, countertop, and desk rolled into one. Backless stools keep things visually light. 07 of 08 Seek Storage Trick #9: Add storage where you can find it. In the kitchen, a 4-inch filler piece of cabinetry by the range is a spice and glass rack. Creative Storage Ideas to Solve Your Small-Space Problems 08 of 08 Sweet Sleep Trick #10: Built-in storage units provide plentiful storage space while avoiding floor-hogging dressers and armories. Doug went between the studs to gain to-the-ceiling storage in the bedroom. Trick #11: Go with rounded furniture, like this bedside table, to allow more move-around space. Learn more about choosing furniture for small spaces. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit