Whether you live in a small city apartment, a starter home in the suburbs, or a tiny house in your son’s backyard, this blog and video will share five design strategies to make the most of your home—regardless of its size!

Living in smaller spaces does present a few challenges:

  • Limited storage
  • Less personal space and privacy
  • Noticeable clutter

But it also has tremendous advantages:

  • Reduced stress
  • Greater freedom
  • More opportunities to bond

Once you learn how to maximize your small space to make it look and feel more spacious, you’ll start to reap the life-changing benefits of smaller, simpler living.

If you’re coming from a larger home or grew up in one, you’re probably used to having more than enough space for lots of stuff—whether you needed it or not.

Living in a smaller home requires a different mindset, where every inch needs to serve a function, and you need to embrace living with only essential items—and, of course, a few smaller things you just can’t live without.

As an interior designer for 40 years, I’ve helped many clients design large homes across the country. But after downsizing from my very large home, I’ve become passionate about helping clients downsize and make the most of their smaller spaces, so they can make room for the new lifestyle that awaits them.

Before You Begin

1.      When designing small spaces, it’s important to keep these three goals in mind:

2.      Maximize the space for optimal function and storage.

3.      Minimize clutter by creating the best organizing solutions.

4.      Make your space look and feel bigger than it actually is.

My Top 5 Design Strategies for Making the Most of Your Small Space

1.      Less is More

Learning to live with less is the first and most difficult hurdle most people have to overcome.

Whether it’s fewer clothes, kitchen utensils, or less furniture, there’s a learning curve to letting go so you can comfortably live with less.

This is the first and most important reality you must face: Less space, less stuff.

Embracing this minimalist mindset will help you declutter and pare down your belongings to only those that are most essential, along with a few carefully selected pieces that hold meaning.

2.      Versatility is Key

When selecting items for a smaller home, versatility is paramount.

Furniture that serves multiple purposes
For example:

  • Ottomans that can be used for seating, storage, or as a coffee table.
  • Tables that can be used for dining, serving, or as a workspace.
  • Murphy beds that can function for sleeping, storage, or a drop-down work table.

Rooms that can quickly and easily convert to new functions
For example:

  • A dining room that doubles as a home office, den, guest room, or yoga space.

3.      Zoning to Define Space

Creating zones allows you to bring attention to the purpose of a space and how it’s meant to be used, making it more efficient.

For example, when laying out your space, define zones for work, sleeping, relaxing, eating, and storage. These zones can be cleverly divided with sliding panels, walls, or barn doors to provide privacy or conceal storage.

Mastering this design principle will help you maximize function in your home.

4.      Organizing Solutions to Minimize Clutter

Innovative organizing solutions can dramatically reduce visual clutter.

Built-ins are one of my favorite design solutions to maximize space and minimize clutter.

Ideally, built-ins go wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling. They can house everything from clothing to books to dinnerware. Built-ins also help make your space look seamless, creating the illusion of a larger room.

Strategically placed built-ins can also reduce the need for more furniture. For example, built-in desks with drop-down lids or foldaway tables can be used for dining or as serving credenzas.

Using minimalist design principles to create storage wherever possible will help you stay organized.

5.      The Power of Scale, Color, and Lighting

You don’t have to sacrifice comfort in a smaller space. You just need to be mindful of the impact of scale, color, and lighting.

Scale

  • Select smaller, yet comfortable furniture that suits your space.
    For example, choose a queen-size bed over a king-size bed.
  • Avoid over-furnishing. Less is more.
    Consider built-ins to reduce the need for excess furniture.

Color

  • Neutrals and pastels can make smaller spaces feel bigger and brighter.
    Use these colors in paint, fabrics, and furniture finishes.
  • Paint walls and ceilings the same color to increase the feeling of height.
  • Strategically placed mirrors can reflect light and visually expand the space.

These design strategies will not only make your small space look bigger, but they will also make it feel lighter and brighter. If you’re downsizing to a smaller home, embrace these design strategies and minimalist principles to dramatically help you make the most of it—while also enjoying the freedom that comes with living more with less.

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Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design And Interior Design Services  

Do you want to learn more about downsizing and decluttering? You can also connect with me by following me on Facebook and LinkedIn. Would you like complimentary advice from the downsizing designer? My book Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom is now available in paperback, audio, and on Kindle! Get your copy soon.