2011 Ideas for Small Spaces Decorating

learn how to make the most of your small-space situation with these creative design ideas.

Curtain Divider

A simple, sheer curtain is a great way to easily divide two spaces. Designer Vanessa DeLeon incorporated a sheer, silk curtain panel into this Asian-style apartment to add a dramatic element and visually separate the living room from the dining room. 

 

Well-Worked Window Treatments

To make a small living room appear more spacious, add floor-to-ceiling window treatments. This eclectic living room features extra-high ceilings, despite its small floor plan. This simple addition will automatically draw eyes up the wall for a much larger feel. Design by Lori Dennis

Clever Kitchen Storage

While regular kitchen cupboards serve a useful purpose, there's something eye-catching and appealing about these open (and organized) storage shelves. Designer John Gidding wanted to separate the kitchen from the dining area but still keep the entire space open and airy. By adding the small wall divider, he was able to turn a small kitchen into two separate rooms. Plus, the floor-to-ceiling shelves are the perfect place to store and display favorite items and pretty glassware.

Bathroon Storage

Narrow wall shelves are an excellent way to store bathroom essentials in a stylish way. Invest in attractive canisters to hold cotton swabs, cotton balls and your favorite lotion, and place unsightly toiletries under the vanity. Small wicker baskets can also be placed on the shelves for additional, hidden storage. Design by John Gidding

Multipurpose Space

Sometimes, a multipurpose space is unavoidable, and your home office and guest bedroom must inhabit the same space. To make the best of this situation, use the surrounding walls to your advantage. Designer John Gidding created a simple desk unit and added a collection of shelves above for necessary storage. Connected to the desk, a stylishly concealed Murphy bed can easily pull out for those occasional guests. During the day, store the bed for a creative and spacious workspace. 

Keep It Light

To make your space appear larger, avoid using dark hues. This eclectic living room features a gray focal wall for a punch of color but keeps the rest of the space light and open with crisp, white furniture and white built-in units.

Beneath the Stairs

Any space can be enhanced with additional (and stylish) storage solutions. Designer John Gidding added a shelving unit directly below the stairs to take advantage of the awkward, extra space. Located adjacent to the kitchen, he turned the unit into a mini bar, storing bar essentials and other accessories. These shelves would also be an ideal place to display an abundant book collection.

Get Creative

Whether you have small children and a lot of toys or just need extra shelves to store books and display items, creatively use the extra space between two floor levels for a unique shelving unit. With six separate shelves and floor space below, designer John Gidding provided the perfect place for visual storage. These small canvas bins are great for keeping toys stored away and out of sight.

Add a Mirror

One of the best (and easiest) tricks in the design world is adding a full-body mirror to visually expand a space. Surrounded by neutral draperies, this tall mirror adds dimension to the space and makes the small bedroom appear much larger. Close the curtains and hide the mirror for a more intimate and enclosed space.

2012 Christmas Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces

There's no need to downsize your holiday expectations with a small space to decorate. Our space-saving ideas bring the merriment of the season into even the tiniest corners.

Go Small with Displays

Ornaments have tons of pop -- utilize their glitter and glow for a small-space display. Glue an ornament to a small, round plastic or glass disk. Remove the hanger and tuck in mini blooms or sprigs of berries. Group the vase ornaments on a tray for a centerpiece.

Enhance a Chair

Instead of leaving extra chairs empty, place beribboned packages on, under, and around them for a small-scale version of under-the-tree package bonanza.

Use Window Space

Simplicity is key for small-space decorating. White pillar candles, placed on a silver tray, add elegance to a windowsill. Two faux dwarf evergreens, wrapped in burlap, add a bit of color to the wintry scene.

Decorate with Small Wreaths

Large and impactful are typical design credos for wreaths, but small can be equally as mighty. Hang a mini wreath with a velvet or satin ribbon from shelves or drawer pulls.

Fill a Corner 

Nooks, crannies, shelves, bookcases: All are great spots for diminutive seasonal decor. If there's no space for a full tree, put a single dwarf version -- with a few presents -- on a midheight shelf. In place of lights, decorate with small-scale ornaments.

Fabricate a Faux Tree

If you don't have space for -- or just don't want -- a real tree, you can get the same feel with this evergreen idea. Start with a wide branch; hang on a hook from the wall and decorate with treasured ornaments.

Create a Hanging Window Display 

Look out on something pretty -- a basic painted frame strung with ribbon and hung with ornaments jazzes up a window and requires zero rearranging.

Use Space by the Stairs 

A small table by the stairs is a prominent small-space spot to start your Christmas merriment. Add a little, lightly decorated tree and a modest display to the tabletop. To give the evergreen a bit of height, place in a tall silver vase.

Brighten a Hanging Picture

You've already decorated your home with personal pictures -- give them a holiday touch with a sprig of evergreen. No special crafting tools required.

Use Wall Space

That lovely solid-color wall in your living room? The perfect home for a holiday display. Here, miniature grapevine wreaths add texture to a green wall. We chose a variety of accents -- faux birds, small ornaments, sprigs of berries -- and glued them onto the wreaths before hanging the displays from a length of ribbon.

Add a Tree in a Bathroom

Don't overlook bathrooms as places to add some merry touches. Here, a small corner offers a great spot for a potted tree decorated with cream and blue ceramic bells and glass balls.

Christmas Decorating 2012 Ideas for Small Spaces

Add something new to your standby Christmas decor. Alongside your sentimental ornaments and favorite pieces, introduce an updated centerpiece or a fresh take on stairway decor, and you might find a new decorating tradition!

Add Bits of Texture to a Banister 

Texture can play a key role in boosting the visual interest of a small space. Here, a simple swag of evergreen boughs and three stockings in three different materials spruce up a short banister.

Swap Out Curtains

Think outside the box when it comes to your small-space decorating. In place of everyday kitchen curtains, swap in a few spray-starched Christmas aprons and add a cluster of faux trees.

Create a Tiny Village Display

Tiny wrapped boxes provide a base to a few glittering paper houses that take up very little space. To make "trees," wrap squares of scrapbook paper into cones and glue the edges; cut off the bottoms to be level. For extra sparkle, place the grouping on a silver tray.

Accent Your Kitchen Windows 

Open, airy windowpanes dance with color, thanks to these colorful snowflakes. Hang similar ones in a pattern or at random; add the final touch with a simple swag of greenery overhead.

Use a Basic Tree and One Accent Color 

A bare-bones tree is a treat for a small corner, and choosing just one accent color is a good way to cut down on visual distractions. For the base of your tree, wrap a small box with a dish towel and fill the base of the box with stones (disguised with a layer of pearl-white ornaments) to hold in place. Add a few more wrapped boxes in a variety of papers and ribbons.

Make an Impactful Wall Display 

Old photos are great conversation starters, particularly at the holidays, and this display takes up only minimal wall space. Start with baby photographs; cut them in a circle, mount on foam core, and arrange in a tree shape. Little space, big impact. 
Editor's Tip:
For a great together-time activity, have family members guess who is who in each photo.

Decorate a Tabletop Tree

Even if you have more expansive spaces, a small tree can add charm and whimsy to small rooms, such as an entry. Tuck a small tree in a bright container and string garland and ribbon ornaments as well as a few round ornaments. Include accents that are similarly scaled down, such as small presents or containers of candy canes.

Craft a Mini Tree

There's no need to overdo accents in downsized spaces. Go for impact, such as this tiny twinkling tree, made by drilling tiny holes into a stick and inserting lengths of pipe cleaners.

Play Up Your Dining Room

Look to your dining table to display holiday merriment. A tiny wrapped box offers a warm welcome at a place setting. Best yet? It fits inside a teacup.

Color Rules for Small Spaces 2013 Ideas from HGTV

When it comes to coloring your apartment, it's definitely okay to go outside the lines.

By : Anne Krueger

True or false: An all white color palette will make an apartment look larger. False! This is a common misconception of small-space design, along with the idea that less furniture makes an apartment feel larger. Instead, carefully placed furnishings and carefully chosen color can create an inviting space with style way beyond its diminutive size.

The number one color rule for a small space? There are no rules  really. If you want your apartment to look like your favorite Pucci scarf, do your thing. The goal should always be to make your rented space personal and appeal to you. Having said that, the experts who deal with color and interior design all the time do know a thing or two. Here are their tips and tricks.

Choose Sharp Colors

One of the best ways to expand a space is with very clear colors, says designer Mark McCauley, ASID, author of Interior Design for Idiots. "Choose a palette of sharper colors as opposed to duller ones. Sharp as in bright chintzes mixed with colorful plaids or really hot reds and electric blues, yellows and greens (with plenty of air between the pieces). Color combinations with negative space in between will enhance the space's clarity and openness."

Color Unexpected Accents

Bring splashes of color to a radiator, the inside of a bookshelf or a windowsill to bring excitement and depth to a room. If you're lucky enough to have a foyer or hall, paint that a dark color and ease into a lighter shades in the living room, which will make it feel more spacious by comparison.

Create a Focal Wall

While some designers frown on the idea of painting one wall a different or deeper color than the others, it can work wonders in a small space, says designer and actress Libby Langdon, a contributor to HGTV's Small Space, Big Style. "Don't be afraid of bold colors," she says. "Sometimes a darker color on one wall can make it recede, making the space look larger."

Connect Spaces With Shades of Color

Just as different wall colors can divide your apartment into different work areas, different shades of the same color can unite all the rooms, as can a pattern that's repeated. "In a small space, in particular, these little touches the pillow that matches the lampshade fabric, the style of the mirror that echoes a side table can all add up to a cohesive space," McCauley says.

Get Spicy in the Kitchen

Apartment kitchens are a great place to use color, says kitchen designer Jason Laudau of Amazing Spaces, LLC (www.amazingspacesllc.com) in New York. "Hang up the china you never use it saves space, adds color and glams up the kitchen," he says. "Or be very bold and paint the walls a trendy color. Red is hot!"

Go Bold in the Bathroom

Sure, something pastel in the peachy-pink palette will look great in the bathroom especially when you look in the mirror and see your rosy complexion. But for major affect, increase the bodacious scale. That's what designer Ron Marvin www.ronmarvin.com (www.ronmarvin.com) did in his New York City apartment bathroom that's painted a rich, chocolate brown.

Vamp It Up

Beautiful faux finishes and specialty techniques can add a lot of character to a small space, says designer Dawn Burns-Pratt, ASID. "Painting the ceiling a darker color and extending the same color down the wall about 14 inches, or using metallic stripes in that same space with a chair rail and lighter color below looks terrific and expands the appearance of the space," she says.

Add Color That Travels

The wonderful thing about color is that it's a really cheap way to decorate, and it can be added in non-paint ways, says designer Alice Fakier, this year's HGTV Design Star runner-up and host of Ask Alice on HGTV.com. "Apartment dwellers can get color on their walls by painting big canvases, hanging fabric or using wall decals," she says. And when you're ready for a larger space? You can take your color with you and go.

Stretch It With Stripes

Draw the eye up with a wall of colorful stripes, says Langdon. Or paint the ceiling a lighter color than the walls to make it seem airier.

Don't Forget Black

Whatever colors you choose for your small space, add one object that is black, says designer McCauley. "The black item  say, in a torchere lamp or a frame  will help ground the space and clarify the other colors. Try it, it works!"

Experiment With Color
Before you start slapping paint all over the blank canvas that is your apartment walls, consider these "baby-step" options.
 Experiment with 2 ounce samples. Many paint companies, including California Paints and Benjamin Moore offer them. That's enough paint to cover a 1’ by 2’ area, which should give you a good idea of what your chosen hue really looks like. Make sure to view it in natural and artificial light.

Easy Ideas for Decorating Small Spaces

Decorating a small space has it’s own set of challenges. Today I have 7 ideas to help make the most of your space even if it’s not that large. Through the use of color, the right accessories, proper furniture placement and a few other decorating tricks, you can turn your small space into a fabulous space.

Paint an Accent Wall. Dark colors make a wall recede giving the illusion of more depth in a room. Paint one wall a contrasting color then carry that color into the room through accessories and fabrics.

Create a desk in a niche. Utilize small nooks or niches to add a shelf to use as a desk. Decorative corbels and trim help to give it a finished look.

Choose furniture you can see through. Clear chairs and a glass top table help to visually expand a small dining area and keep it from feeling cramped.

Choose furniture that is multi-functional. A daybed functions as a sofa during the day and a bed at night. This is an excellent solution if you live in a studio apartment or don’t have the space for a guest room.

Use smaller armless side chairs. Lightweight chairs without arms work better in smaller spaces because they are easier to maneuver in and out of and they can easily be moved from one room to another.

Keep your kitchen storage open. Heavy upper cabinets can sometimes make a small kitchen seem even smaller. By using open shelving, the eye is tricked into believing the space is larger.

Select furniture that doesn’t weigh the space down. This bed offers a great focal point in this room and the height brings the eye up. Like the clear furniture mentioned above, the sleek style doesn’t take up too much visual space. Keeping things light and airy helps to make the space feel larger.

By Peggy Pardo

Clever Solution for Small Spaces 2014 Ideas

Don't let your home's little footprint define it; learn how to do more with less! Maximize the tiniest of rooms with these smart decor choices and small space solutions.
These rooms show you that small spaces can be super efficient without sacrificing style. 

I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you ...... Enjoy it !!

Tiny rooms need to be deft multitaskers, so this living room features a long sofa that moonlights as a guest bed. And the ottoman gets a helping hand from a tray, allowing it to double as a coffee table.

With its pale walls and light furnishings, this neutral oasis was the perfect candidate for a color transformation. A few bold pillows, a rug, a throw, and DIY artwork turn up the heat in this compact living space with little effort.

Trading dark upper cabinets for a sparkling wall of vintage look tiles turned this kitchen luminous. Open stainless steel shelves let the tile backdrop take center stage while keeping dishes within reach.

Integrating a recessed daybed into this room's design maximized limited floor space and eliminated the need to buy additional furniture. Cushions and pillows covered with plush fabrics make this alcove cushy and inviting, and overhead lighting offers illumination.

Don't let a tight space cramp your style choices. Instead, look for furniture that can pull double duty. A secretary offers storage and workspace in this small living room, yet neatly tucks away when it's not in use.

Hang an oversize mirror in a dining area to make the room appear larger than it is. Position the mirror opposite a bank of windows to maximize the amount of natural light reflected throughout the space.

An open vanity in this long, narrow bathroom keeps the space airy but doesn't allow for storage. A bumped out ledge and shelving along a nearby wall offers space for bathroom necessities and display items.

Restore order in a playroom with simple strategies to keep toys off the floor but in plain sight. Matching baskets beneath a tiered coffee table satisfy both kids and parents by combining storage and decor in one convenient location.

2014 Tips for Open Living Spaces Decorating Ideas

Dreaming of a casual room that blends cooking, dining, and living? A kitchen living room combo starts with a basic idea: Love your layout. These all encompassing spaces fuse style and function for fabulous rooms that flow together seamlessly.You'll love these ideas to try in 2014! I hope you find these ideas useful and inspiring to you .... Enjoy it !!!!

This living area's signature style was born out of a desire for an all encompassing space. A nature-inspired color scheme helps the sitting, dining, and cooking areas blend seamlessly. Area rugs and furniture are arranged to create task-oriented zones within the open room. Here, the sofa separates the kitchen and living area.

Family, friends, food, and fun are the main ingredients in a casual dining-living room combo. A cooktop in the island opens the floor for conversation with guests or family members while meals are being prepared, whether they're seated at the counter or in the adjacent living or dining areas.

Serving Up Efficiency : Designed to accommodate a busy lifestyle, the kitchen area is packed with function. The L-shape layout of the kitchen creates distinct prep and cleanup spaces. The large farmhouse-style sink and dishwasher are positioned on the far wall, which keeps the cleanup space from crowding out the prep area. An expansive island includes additional prep and storage space. A blend of traditional and open cabinets corrals dishware and serving pieces.

A Place to Gather : A dining table and an artful chandelier mark the transition between the cooking and living areas. Because the eating area is more distanced from the other zones, it works equally well for casual gatherings and quiet dinners for two. A high ceiling with exposed-wood beams makes the area seem more spacious.

In Good Company : Good looks and practicality are equal partners in the space's decor. Furniture is arranged to facilitate conversation and togetherness. Modern comforts such as slipcovered furniture and swiveling armchairs contribute to the overall warmth of the room and are ideal for lounging around or watching TV.

Island Time : With its generous size and prep sink, the kitchen island is suited for multitasking. The space can also double as an extension of the dining area or a place to do homework. A wall of windows coaxes plenty of light into the cooking area.

Casual Dining : Sophisticated style mingles with kid-friendly ideas for an open living space that suits the whole family. A freestanding dining set paired with the window seat makes this breakfast nook highly functional. A vintage-style bench features a modern mix of fabrics and storage drawers for seldom-used linens and extra cookware.

Entertainment Central : The real fun begins when the family gathers in its favorite hangout spot. A big coffee table for parking laptops, floor pillows for comfy seating, and a TV make the living room a well loved entertainment hub.

Easing Traffic Flow : Every space counts in an open living area, and a smart layout is essential to keep everything running smoothly. The main sink, oven, and range are within a few steps of each other, easing the work flow from prepping to serving in the kitchen.

Living Large : Ushering natural light into the kitchen, a glass panel door provides deck access and visually expands the room. Tall overhead cabinetry and light fixtures emphasize the kitchen's height. Cherrywood knobs and leg detailing give the white cabinets a warm, traditional look.

Rethink Existing Space : An area rug defines an intimate living space within the open room. Practical, pretty furnishings are used to ensure a smooth transition from the kitchen to the living room. Fun accents in bright colors relax the space and bring in a welcoming, casual vibe.

Transitional Aesthetics : The homeowners wanted handsome surroundings but needed them to be family oriented. Unusual pieces, such as colorful upholstery and a fun accent table, give the family room the personality it deserves. A cozy furniture arrangement yields a flexible family room ideal for relaxing, and the TV can be viewed while prepping in the kitchen.

Use Like Materials : Clever storage and a streamlined style look right at home in this kitchen. The homeowners kept the room's original cabinets, which feature a professionally applied aniline dye on the upper set and a few glass inserts. The modern, clean lined design used in the cabinetry and wood floors repeats in all the major living spaces to create a unified look.

Double Duty : New windows and built in cabinetry turn this dining area into an airy work space for the family. Outside of meal times, the table is a place to color and craft. Bench seating beneath the window is piled with pillows for a comfy spot to read.

Clean Living : Slivers of space were put to work to make the most of each living zone. By thinking vertically, the family maximized its storage potential in the kitchen. Matching units on both sides of the dining room window serve as dynamic display areas. A long window seat includes pullout drawer storage that makes cleanup easy for kids.

Smooth Transition : The entire wall between the dining room and living room was removed and rebuilt to define the function of each space. A two sided fireplace was installed, providing a visual link between the dining room and living room. A beverage center tucked into the new fireplace wall incorporates cabinets, freeing up storage space in the kitchen.

Flexibly Furnished : Large openings and the two sided fireplace connect the dining area with the living room, where comfy furniture and durable fabrics welcome family game nights. The new fireplace features a slab of bluestone for cozy fireside seating. Portable furniture, such as large stools, can be moved around to accommodate day-to-day activities. Built-in shelves in the living room provide display areas.