In a world of design, small spaces offer a unique canvas for creativity and innovation. Whether you’re navigating living in a cozy apartment or just want small home design ideas for your house, making the most of every square inch is crucial. In this blog post, we will explore 31 small home design ideas that combine functionality with aesthetics, proving that size is no constraint to style.
As the owner of a 1,200 square foot home, I know how difficult it can be to come up with small home design ideas that are both budget friendly and stylish. It seems like most home design ideas online are for large homes or brand new builds. It can definitely be hard to find home designs for the average small home. I struggled coming up with realistic home designs when I first bought my home and I am here to show you the best design ideas for you to try.
In this blog post, we will show you small home storage solutions, small home design hacks and some tips that will make living in your small home a breeze. With some creativity and the right furniture for your space, you can easily create your own Pinterest worthy home.
This blog post is all about small home design ideas.
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Best Small Home Design Ideas
1. Multi-Functional Furniture
Maximize space with furniture that serves multiple purposes, such as sofa beds, storage ottomans, and nesting tables. We adore this simple storage system that doubles as a bench for added seating. This would be a great idea for a small entryway or small dining area.
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2. Vertical Storage Solutions
Take advantage of vertical space with wall-mounted shelves, floating cabinets, or tall bookshelves. Using the vertical space in your small home is one of the easiest and efficient ways to maximize space in your small home. We suggest adding baskets to your shelves to hide any unused items and also mixing in some home decor items like vases, frames and books.
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3. Mirrors in Every Room
Strategically place mirrors to create an illusion of more space and reflect in natural light. By adding some type of mirror in each room, it will reflect more light into your home therefore making your small home appear bigger. We have a mirror in each room of our home and it really does make a difference in the brightness of our home.
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4. Small Patio Space Idea
Don’t forget to decorate and design your outdoor space of your small house or apartment! Even if you only have a small balcony area, you can still make it look and feel well decorated outside. Start designing your space by adding seating, an area rug and cozy lighting to your outdoor area.
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5. Under-Stair Storage
Transform the often-underutilized space under the stairs into a clever storage unit or even a cozy reading nook. We love this custom cabinetry idea for under your steps to get the most storage space out of your small home with this clean and organized look.
6. Light Color Palette
Choose light and neutral colors for walls, furniture, and decor to create a sense of openness and airiness in your small home. When designing a small bathroom, consider using a light color palette of beiges, whites and tans to make the space feel larger and open.
CLICK HERE TO READ OUR BLOG POST ON THE NEST NEUTRAL LIGHT PAINT COLORS.
7. Sliding Doors
Replace traditional doors with sliding or barn doors to save space and add a unique design element. You will gain so much space in your home for furniture, area rugs and other decorative items because of this space saving hack!
8. Hanging Gardens
Bring the outdoors in by creating vertical gardens or hanging planters to add a touch of greenery into your small space. This is one of the best small home design ideas for the kitchen if you love growing and cooking with fresh herbs.
BEST HERBS TO GROW IN YOUR KITCHEN:
- PARSLEY
- THYME
- BASIL
- MINT
- ROSEMARY
- CILANTRO
- CHIVES
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9. Hidden Storage
Explore furniture with hidden compartments, such as ottomans with storage or beds with built-in drawers. Consider this dining room storage area idea to save space in style. If you live in an apartment or studio, we highly recommend this idea!
10. Small Entryway Design Ideas
Turn your boring hallway into a welcoming entryway with this small home design idea! Add a narrow entryway table with some hooks above it for added storage as you come into your small home.
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11. Clever Kitchen Storage
Utilize pull-out pantry shelves, magnetic knife strips, or wall-mounted racks to optimize your small kitchen. Consider this custom corner cabinet for your small kitchen to maximize space and make it easier to reach the the products in the back of the cabinet easier.
TIP: If you are in the middle of a kitchen remodel, we highly suggest spending the extra money for a custom bottom corner pull out cabinet. We did not do this in our kitchen remodel and regret it every time we have to reach into the back corner. In the big picture, the extra few hundred shouldn’t take you completely over budget.
12. Add Hooks to the Wall
How adorable is this small entryway with idea! In a small home, it is important to utilize every square inch that you have and make sure it is both functional and decorative. Style your entryway with these large wooden baskets, a runner and some hooks for your keys and purses.
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13. Floating Shelves
Install floating shelves to display small decor items, keeping surfaces clutter-free and visually appealing. Instead of a headboard, consider a long floating shelf over your bed to store your bedtime books, picture frames and more. For a cleaner and organized look, store your bedtime items in baskets and display them neatly on the shelf.
14. Modular Sectionals
Customize your seating arrangement with modular sofas that can be rearranged to suit various occasions. We recommend a modular sofa for a small home because you can easily change your living space’s design and style at any time.
15. Curtains to Create the Illusion of Taller Ceilings
Use curtains in your small home to create the illusion of taller ceilings and a larger home. We use this hack in every single one of our bedrooms and it instantly makes a standard window appear larger!
How high should you hang your curtains?
The curtains should be hung between 4-6 inches above the window frame. When you hang the curtain rod higher like this, it will make the window appear taller.
16. Strategic Lighting
Illuminate your small space with strategic lighting, including pendant lights, wall sconces, and floor lamps. Try this sleek lighting design in your bathroom to brighten up your space and make it feel larger. Lighting is crucial to the home’s ambiance and truly sets the tone of your home. Try adding these strip lights behind your mirror or medicine cabinet for an unexpected lighting idea.
TRY ADDING STRIP LIGHTING:
17. Compact Appliances
Opt for compact and space-saving appliances in the kitchen and laundry areas without compromising functionality. In a small home, it is crucial to scale the size of your appliances and furniture so that they don’t overwhelm the space.
18. Choose Glass Furniture
Introduce glass tables and furniture to create a transparent and visually light atmosphere in your space. Clear furniture pieces tend to disappear easier in the room, therefore creating the illusion of more space. We suggest considering glass furniture for your small entryway table, coffee table or lighting fixtures.
19. Floating Desks
Install floating desks in your bedrooms or living areas to create a designated work area without taking up valuable floor space. We adore this beautiful DIY built in desk to create the perfect cozy small home office.
WATCH HOW TO DIY THIS BUILT IN DESK:
20. Beds with Built In Storage
Explore fold-down murphy beds, or drawers underneath the bed for your apartment, providing a comfortable and space saving sleep solution. Our bed frame has drawers underneath it and we save so much space by putting our socks, pajamas, and sweatpants in them.
21. Open Shelving in the Kitchen
Replace closed cabinets with open shelving in the kitchen for an airy and accessible storage solution. Open shelving also allows more natural light into your kitchen as opposed to traditional kitchen cabinets.
22. Reflective Surfaces
Use reflective materials like mirrored furniture or metallic finishes to add glamour and the illusion of space. Embrace the beauty of natural light as it gracefully filters through your living space, casting a radiant glow that not only brightens but also enhances the charm of your small home.
23. Small Home Exterior Design Idea
Don’t forget about the exterior of your home when it comes to small home design ideas. Consider renovating your home’s exterior or making minor improvements to your home to boost your curb appeal. Try painting your front door and siding or sprucing up your landscaping to transform your home from the outside.
24. Statement Wall
Create a focal point with a statement wall, whether it’s a bold color, wallpaper, or a gallery of framed artwork. We particularly suggest a statement wall over your couch in the living room or on an accent wall in the dining room. For an easy and affordable statement wall, try adding a gallery wall frame set.
TRY THIS BUDGET FRIENDLY GALLERY WALL IDEA:
25. Small Home Design Ideas For Organization
Keep your small home organized and beautifully designed by adding vertical storage solutions in every room in your home. In the bathroom, consider a wall mounted shelving system to create space for your toiletries while still making them look sleek.
26. Ceiling-Mounted Storage
Install ceiling-mounted storage racks in your kitchen for a sleek and unique way to display and store your kitchen essentials. This unique storage solution will make your home stand out from the rest!
27. Smart Furniture Arrangement
In a small living room, be sure to arrange furniture to create natural pathways and prevent the space from feeling cramped. Keep the color of the furniture light and neutral to make your home appear airy and spacious.
28. Leverage Nooks and Crannies
Transform awkward nooks or corners into functional spaces, such as reading corners or storage opportunities. In a small home, every little nook can be transformed into a decorative storage area with some creativity. Consider transforming an area near your home’s entrance into a mini mudroom and drop off area.
29. Hanging Pot Racks
Free up cabinet space in the kitchen by hanging pots and pans on ceiling-mounted racks. This is a fun way to add character into your kitchen with a touch of unique charm!
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We love this antique copper ceiling mounted pot rack from Amazon. Not only is it very affordable, it easily makes your home feel like it was styled by a designer with its stunning copper finish!
30. Small Bedroom Design Ideas
Choose a combination of a daybed, bookshelf, floating desk and fun wallpaper to transform and design your small bedroom. With all of these space saving hacks, you can make your small home feel beautifully designed and spacious.
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31. Concealed Home Office
Design a concealed home office with a fold-down desk or hidden workspace to keep work areas discreet when not in use. If you are very limited in space, try designing a small home office in your closet by adding a desk the length of your closet and some shelving for storage space. We love this idea because you can easily close the doors and hide your messy workspace at the end of the day.
These 31 ideas offer a starting point for transforming your small house into a stylish home where creativity and functionality coexist. Remember, a small footprint doesn’t limit your design potential; it just invites you to think outside the box and reimagine your living space with ingenuity and style.
This blog post was all about small home design ideas.
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