How to Design Small Spaces: 14 Secrets to Transform Small Rooms into Expansive Havens

Living in a tiny house or small apartment makes it challenging to fit everything you need. Trying to find room for everything and make it look beautiful is an even bigger problem!

But that's what makes tiny space design so enjoyable: coming up with creative solutions to those limitations makes the final outcome all the more gratifying.

Whether you're living in a compact studio apartment or aiming to maximize a small room in your house, these design ideas for small spaces will not only make them appear wider than they are but will also make them look more stylish.

Talk to the interior design experts of JarvisInteriors if you want to convert a small room into a stylish haven.

1- Incorporate Glossy Surfaces.

Consider using shiny finishes like white lacquered walls or glossy tiles. These high-gloss materials have reflective qualities, functioning similarly to mirrors by bouncing light, which creates a sense of a more spacious, airy space.

2- Install Pocket Doors.

Pocket doors fitted with glass windows allow the spread of natural light throughout the room while also providing seperation of spaces. What's more, pocket doors recede into the wall when not in use, occupying lesser space compared to traditional swinging doors.

3- Opt for Verticals.

In a tiny-sized bathroom, for instance, you can innovatively (and vertically) hang subway tiles—contrary to the typical horizontal arrangement—to create an illusion of height and streamlined elegance. Keeping the color scheme constrained to black, white, and blush tones further prevents the space from feeling overcrowded.

4- Hang a Swing.

A swinging seat creates the illusion of a much larger area as it takes up no actual floor space. For instance, a daybed suspended in a beach house is the best demonstration of this concept.

5- Downsize Your Dining Table.

Small, round tables aren't just for breakfast corners. Swap out the bulky dining table and reclaim some space by opting for a compact, circular dining table.

6- Optimize Shelf Space.

In one tiny room, all your books and accessories can be neatly arranged on built-in shelves, fitted with gallery lights to give the collections a curated look. And the finest touch? This well-organized library can also serve as a dining room in any compact apartment.

7- Infuse Your Personality in Every Corner.

This applies even—and especially—to your refrigerator and other large appliances. Given the confined space and the limited ability to include all your favorite items, it's essential to add charm wherever possible. For instance, you can transform a standard refrigerator into a design element by covering it in removable wallpaper.

8- Do multi-functionality.

Select pieces that can serve several functions: Look for a table that can be used as both a desk and a dining table, a deep sofa that can be converted into a guest bed, or cube units that can serve as a coffee table and additional seating when hosting guests.

9- Stick to Neutral Tones.

Calm, even-toned spaces trick the eye into imagining they're wider than they are. Ensure to incorporate a mix of textures to keep the space from looking bland.

10- Maximize Every Available Surface Area.

Even a windowsill can serve as extra storage for décor items, lighting, and other essentials when there's no room for an additional table.