6 home-design trends to maximize small spaces

A small living space may at first seem like an obstacle to home design. But if you look more closely, you’ll find that the limitations of a smaller space can be a blessing, forcing you to think about creative, resourceful solutions. Your space can become a world of natural light, bold patterns, multi-functionality and more. It's a place to have fun, get cozy, and stretch the limits and very notion of square footage.

Here are six design trends specifically focused on making your smaller space feel more expansive.

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This should be your mantra. The smaller your space, the more you need to create multipurpose areas. Thankfully, this is much easier today than it was when a bulky TV would practically swallow up a studio apartment. Now, you can hang your smart television on the wall, freeing up a lot of space to store your portable elliptical machine or a bar cart. These days you can entertain or exercise in the same space—though we wouldn’t recommend doing so at the same time. 

Natural light is your friend. It improves sleep patterns, boosts mood, increases Vitamin D production and tightens focus. Natural light can also make a smaller space feel larger. If you’re able to undertake a renovation , consider replacing smaller windows with larger ones. If the time isn’t right for such a big project, take the light your space currently receives and maximize its effect with white or reflective surfaces. Put that light to work for you and make magic (along with the illusion of more space). Bonus tip: Add mirrors to the room for the double benefit of increasing both light and the feeling of more space. 

If natural light is in short supply—or even nonexistent—in your space, the next best thing is a new paint job. You’d be surprised how much brightening up the walls can transform a cave-like room into one that feels decidedly more open and inviting. Trust us, a sparkling new coat of paint has the uncanny effect of making a room feel simultaneously cozy and spacious. Go with white, or another light color; darker hues absorb light and make a small space feel even smaller.

Depending on your room, you may not even need to paint the entire space. Strategic moves—an accent wall here, a cut out there—can have outsized impacts. The same goes for other details such as fixtures and molding . Refreshing those can add to the feeling of increased space as well.

There’s no rule that says you must have corresponding pieces on either side of a home-design component. In other words, that end-table on the right of the couch doesn’t need a partner on the left. 

Kick the natural inclination toward symmetry in favor of space-saving design choices—a bookshelf can stand alone, one chair is enough and so on. Intentional asymmetry opens up options and makes small spaces feel larger. 

A couch is a couch is a couch, right? Well, not exactly. A chunky, overstuffed sofa will dominate a small space, both visually and physically. Opt for low-slung, streamlined pieces with legs. They won’t blot out space, which is already in limited supply, allowing the room to breathe and appear larger than it is. 

When it comes to furnishing your small space, think streamlined and airy versus plush and bulky.

Getting the most out of a compact space requires as much sleight of hand as interior design skills. You need to be able to trick the eye and the mind. A smidge of distraction and a dash of spatial confusion can go a long way toward making a small space look and feel larger. One of the best examples of this is the way a mix of bold patterns in a bathroom both distracts from the limited space and makes it feel larger than it actually is.

The eye-catching visuals draw the viewer's attention away from the size of the space and create an illusion of roominess.