Transform your small space into a chic haven with these expert design tips.
DON’T BE AFRAID OF DARK COLOURS
Is your small space not getting a lot of natural light? Your first thought may be to opt for a lighter hue, but that’s not necessarily the right choice. Darker colours actually push the boundaries of the wall out and can create a more spacious feel to your room, explains colour paint expert Erika Woelfel.
Before you give your room a pop of colour, it’s important to first have a look at a few paint samples in the light of your room – this will show you the true colour. “In small spaces, it's likely you're reliant on artificial lighting, so it's especially important to see how the lighting impacts the colours and reflections”, she advises.
REFLECT NATURAL LIGHT WITH MIRRORS
Mirrors are one of the best ways to make any small room appear larger than it really is because it reflects light. “It is no design secret that mirrors will make a room look bigger,” says interior design expert Amy Wilson. “A large mirror over a fireplace is a popular choice but many people hang them too high, so they only reflect the ceiling rather than the rest of the room. Consider propping your mirror onto a mantelpiece or shelf as an alternative to hanging it so that the mirror hangs lower. Propping small mirrors onto shelves and windowsills helps extend the line of sight beyond the items placed around them and works particularly well if you pop something metallic in front of it.”
USE VERTICAL SPACE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
Whether you use it for storage or decor, your room’s empty wall space should not be wasted. “The secret to successful design in a small space is making use of every inch that is available and putting it to its best use – both function-wise and aesthetics,” recommends Cara Newhart, interior designer and host of the Make Space podcast. “Unused wall space is the biggest mistake I see people making when decorating small spaces.”
Before you give your room a pop of colour, it’s important to first have a look at a few paint samples in the light of your room – this will show you the true colour. “In small spaces, it's likely you're reliant on artificial lighting, so it's especially important to see how the lighting impacts the colours and reflections”, she advises.
REFLECT NATURAL LIGHT WITH MIRRORS
Mirrors are one of the best ways to make any small room appear larger than it really is because it reflects light. “It is no design secret that mirrors will make a room look bigger,” says interior design expert Amy Wilson. “A large mirror over a fireplace is a popular choice but many people hang them too high, so they only reflect the ceiling rather than the rest of the room. Consider propping your mirror onto a mantelpiece or shelf as an alternative to hanging it so that the mirror hangs lower. Propping small mirrors onto shelves and windowsills helps extend the line of sight beyond the items placed around them and works particularly well if you pop something metallic in front of it.”
USE VERTICAL SPACE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
Whether you use it for storage or decor, your room’s empty wall space should not be wasted. “The secret to successful design in a small space is making use of every inch that is available and putting it to its best use – both function-wise and aesthetics,” recommends Cara Newhart, interior designer and host of the Make Space podcast. “Unused wall space is the biggest mistake I see people making when decorating small spaces.”
Image: Shutterstock
3 TIPS FOR DECORATING SMALL SPACES
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
February 21, 2025
Rating:
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
February 21, 2025
Rating:
