Short on square inches? Dream big with these smart decorating solutions.
photography by ARCHIVE IMAGES
There's no stopping small-space dwellers from dreaming big. Really BIG. Put those premature plans for renovating, moving, or admitting defeat on hold. A little ingenuity can make a huge impact on just about any room. Yep, that means the tiny ones, too.
photography by ARCHIVE IMAGES
Mistake: Too much furniture.
Space is a lovely problem to have. Don't allow the number of square inches to define the place you call home. Since everything is more visible, choose pieces of furniture (such as armless sofas and chairs) that don't weigh down the room. Browse an assortment of armless sofas and chairs.
photography by ARCHIVE IMAGES
Mistake: Filling every inch.
Give yourself a break-and your space room to breathe. Not every sofa needs a coffee table and two side tables. Take advantage of pieces that can work overtime, such as an ottoman that doubles as a coffee table and extra seating.
photography by ARCHIVE IMAGES
Mistake: Having a home office requires a spare room.
Not quite (but nice try). The smallest surface in the tiniest nook can be your e-mail-crafting, note-jotting, call-making command center.
photography by ARCHIVE IMAGES
Mistake: Shying away from color.
Don't fall into the everything-must-be-white trap. If you love color, live in it! Just strike a balance that makes you happy. Rather than taking the all-or-nothing approach, paint one wall a rich shade. Before you know it, you'll have tricked the eye into thinking this room isn't quite so small after all.
photography by ARCHIVE IMAGES
Mistake: Relying on walls to create "rooms."
This applies to the people (we're looking at you, studio-apartment dwellers) who don't have walls between the eating area and the lounging zone. A decorative room divider, panel, or curtain can artfully carve out different areas from one large space.
photography by ARCHIVE IMAGES
Mistake: Using a bookcase for just storing books.
Big mistake. Sure, it's great for stashing novels and displaying art, but it can also separate your work space from your sleeping quarters.
photography by ARCHIVE IMAGES
Mistake: Hanging curtains too low.
Give the illusion of higher ceilings by suspending window treatments from the ceiling, not the top of the window frame.
photography by ARCHIVE IMAGES
Mistake: Wasting vertical space.
No kitchen cabinets? Don't go breaking the lease just yet. Monochromatic floating shelves give the room an airy vibe and allow you to show off a tightly edited collection of plates, glasses, and canisters.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.