5 Decorating Hacks to Maximize Style & Grace in Your Tiny Space

Have you ever heard that “Good things come in small packages”? Well, that can be true for your home too. Small homes and apartments don’t have to be boring. You don’t have to sacrifice space for style or vice versa. These design ideas for small spaces will help you maximize both your style and space.

Functionality—Make each piece serve multiple purposes

Having furniture that can be used for more than one purpose is essential for small spaces. Think of a sofa that duals as a seat and a storage unit. If you have a studio apartment then a sleeper sofa would be a great option to have the style you want, as well as the functionality that you need. When choosing furniture for your area, keep both appeal and function in mind.

If you are working with a really tight space, add an armoire. The armoire you choose will show your true style. This is a piece of furniture to have fun with. You can go with an ornate wooden style or an ultra-modern metal armoire. This can be a statement piece. Whether you are choosing red, green, or a romantic white, this piece is important. Armoires are usually large pieces of furniture. Every inch of this piece should be used. There are many options to choose from. It can have drawers, which are great for clothes or crafts. Some have bars for hanging clothes which is a great option if you don’t have enough closet space. Other available options are areas for TVs and even foldouts that become desks. The top should be used too. The top is a great place to add décor, whether it is a floral arrangement, picture frames, or a stylish piece of art.

Rugs! Rugs! Rugs!

You can never go wrong with a rug. Add a rug to every room of your home. This starts at the front door. This piece does not have to be ugly just because it used to wipe off your dirty shoes. Have fun with this! If your living room is small and there isn’t room for a coffee table, don’t worry, add a rug. Go out of your comfort zone with a white faux fur rug or a bold pattern rug. Rugs are also a good option to disguise old outdated flooring. Add a bright-colored bath mat to redirect the focus from old tile floors. Use your rug as a statement for the room. Choose the size based on the need.

Headboards don’t have to be headboards

Headboards don’t always have to be conventional headboards. While a conventional headboard can be beautiful and really show off your style, sometimes they can ruin a room. If you have a great piece of art, hang it above your bed. Let the art that you like be a focal point of your bedroom. This can be a picture, sculpture, mirror or a wall collage. Decorating your home is about your style, it doesn’t have to be traditional. Before you make any changes to your home, even before hanging your first piece of décor, read your contract thoroughly or speak with your property manager about additional damage fees you may incur.

Mirrors

Placing mirrors strategically throughout your home can create the illusion of more space. If you choose to hang the mirror, be conscious of any damage that may occur. The property manager should be able to tell you if small nail or screw holes from décor will result in damage fees when you move out.  If you are worried about those additional fees, lean a large mirror against the wall, as opposed to hanging, to accentuate the height of your room and make it appear taller. For a rustic feel, an old wooden window that’s been refurbished into a mirror will add needed flair. This is also something that you can make yourself, if you’re into DIY.

Light

Lighting options are a great way to change the feel of the whole space. If your fixtures don’t enclose the light bulb, change the bulb to an Edison bulb. This small hack takes a few dollars and a few seconds and will have an instant effect. Just be sure to swap it back for a regular light bulb before you move out.

Lamps are a great way to add style to your space. Floor lamps can add much-needed light to a space. There are floor lamps that have narrow bases and fan out at the top. This is a great option for projecting light, but not taking up a lot of room. Table lamps are good multipurpose pieces to add to a room because adding light to a room makes it feel larger and the lamp base and shade add style. The base of the lamp can be metal, crackled glass, or even a wooden log. The same goes for the shade. Lamp shade styles are endless. Don’t be afraid of geometric shapes, stripes, colors, or even metal cutouts.

Shelving & Hooks

In a tiny space, every inch counts. Add book shelves to the corners. Book shelves don’t have to be just for books. This is a good place to add your flare of style. If you need extra storage, place decorative boxes or baskets on each shelf to hold your not-so-pretty things. These boxes can be bold colors and patterns.

Leaning ladder shelves are all the rage. This type of shelf allows you to use the space from the floor up. This is a great option to add baskets and vases to show off your style. A wooden wicker basket paired with a brightly colored or textured vase is a perfect way to pair function with fashion.

Add a shelf with hooks near the entrance to hold coats and jackets. This shelf can have a ledge on it to use for decorations. If width is a problem, simple hooks may be the way to go. Try hanging them in a straight vertical line or stagger them. As for the actual hooks, this can be anything. Old, mismatched kitchen or dresser knobs are a fun, inexpensive choice. Repurposing old door knobs is another option. If you want to go for a nautical theme, you can even use boat cleats as hooks. The sky’s the limit!

Shelves aren’t just for the living spaces

Every kitchen needs a shelf. A shelf that doubles as a wine-rack is even better. Let’s face it, wine is important. Even if your space is tiny, there is always room to hang a wine rack. If counter space is limited, shelves are a good place to store fruits and vegetables. Grab a wire basket and toss your produce in it. You’ve now gained much needed space and added a farmhouse style to your kitchen.

Remember, any damage (even holes from hanging picture frames) can add additional fees to your move-out charges. There are damage-free options available but be sure to check the weight of the item you want to hang.

Try these tips to maximize your space while keeping your own style. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Not every piece has to be used by its traditional use. Incorporate colors, patterns and textures. This is your space, no matter how big or small. Make sure that your home fits you!