Have you ever wondered about the process of decorating a small home? I watch a lot of Homeworthy house tours, and they frequently show off very small apartments in Manhattan.
These tiny spaces are always immaculately decorated and make use of every nook and cranny of the apartment. People are able to raise their families and entertain in a super small space – without sacrificing beauty or function.
I used to dream about one of those tiny Manhattan apartments, but my husband and I ended up in the suburbs of Philly. I did still end up with a relatively small house to decorate. It’s a small one-story rancher that just fits our family of four.
Over the past six years in this house, I’ve been able to decorate it and make it work for our family. I’ve picked up some tips and tricks that have helped me in decorating a small home.
You can make a small house feel bigger – and make it feel like home. Here are some pointers that may help you in the process:
Be sure to have an intentional and clearly defined floor plan. Often in smaller spaces, everything flows together. Make sure each area is functional and attractive.
Define your entry area, even if it’s small, by hanging hooks for jackets and coats, adding a small console table if possible, or having a clever space-saving shoe storage solution.
Utilize every square inch of your space. Get storage boxes for under your bed, select furniture that has hidden storage (like ottomans or couches), and be extremely thoughtful about what furniture enters your home.
If you furnish your small home too hurriedly, you may find yourself wanting for storage or space. Give yourself time to live in the home and figure out how you use it. Then you can furnish it thoughtfully.
Clutter will make your home feel smaller. But with kids, I know the struggle that comes with trying to stay tidy. In addition to organizing your home and giving everything a designated location, try having some easy options for fast cleanup. A closed basket or toy box – or a storage ottoman – is a great way to corral toys quickly if company is coming (or the clutter is stressing you out).
Wall space is limited in my house, but when I can, I use it for storage. I have a coffee station in my kitchen with a floating shelf for decor and coffee cup hooks on the wall.
I also have a hanging fruit basket that frees up counter space and a paper towel holder that is attached to the underside of the cabinets.
Don’t get me wrong – I love open shelving to display my favorite collections and decor. But too much of it in a small home can feel cluttered. Try to keep the majority of your storage closed so that surfaces can be clean and sleek. Then you can incorporate a few display areas to show off your favorite things.
Add lamps or sconces to ensure each room has adequate lighting. Let natural light in whenever possible. Select light filtering curtains over blackout for living spaces. Dark rooms will always feel smaller than bright ones!
Mirrors reflect light and make rooms appear larger. Just don’t hang so many that it becomes dizzying! Try for one gorgeous larger mirror in a space to create a focal point and brighten the room.
For inspiration to decorate your small home, be sure to follow @Lauren_Rose_Home on Instagram. You may also be interested in my most recent living room tour.
Design, thrifting, and entertaining are my passion, and I share that passion with you through this blog. I also love being in the kitchen and crafting cocktails. I love Jesus and occasionally, I talk about him too. He has been so powerful in my life, and I love to bring him glory with my hobbies.
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