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Proof that you can maximise space without sacrificing style
Small rooms are often treated as spaces to disguise, strip back or simplify until they lose the character and sense of intimacy that makes them so special. But scale can be an asset – tiny bedrooms can feel cosily gathered around you, a downstairs loo can be a safe testing ground for bold ideas and galley kitchens encourage stringent organisation.
Small spaces can hold everything we need, but every piece must pull its weight, and proportion and layout requires careful handling.
The 31 small rooms that follow are full of tips and ideas that maximise space without sacrificing style – how to use paint and colour, the best layout tricks for every room, surprising hacks for your internal doors and innovative small-space compromises that feel anything but.
Improve the flow of a small kitchen by installing clever sliding doors on castors. 'Sliding doors are a great space-saving design feature, and offer a clever way to contain cooking smells as well as creating a semi open-plan kitchen layout,' says Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr.
In this narrow entryway, Shapeless Studio utilised an existing niche to create a handy place to hang coats and bags. The tongue and groove panelling with a glossy painted finish protects walls from scuffs and scrapes, and the darker paint adds to the sense of depth.
Peninsulas give you all the benefits of a kitchen island without taking up as much floor space. Interior designer Danielle Tanner added a peninsula to her own kitchen renovation: 'It gave us extra seating and eating space without compromising on storage and I'm glad we have somewhere for friends to perch when I'm cooking in the kitchen.'
Brighten the gloomiest of small rooms with internal windows that improve the flow of natural light and increase a sense of space. Reeded glass provides ample privacy in bathrooms or bedrooms.
'Using a single colour over the walls, woodwork (including bookcases and shelving) and up onto the ceiling will make the room feel larger and uncomplicated giving the illusion of more space,' says Charlotte Crosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball.
• Pictured: Stiffkey Blue by Farrow & Ball
Strategic styling is key when it comes to decorating a narrow hallway. XL mirrors are a clever way to reflect light and the more you add (within reason) the brighter the room will feel. Consider placing two mirrors on opposite walls to magnify the effect.
Tackle awkward layouts with bespoke features, like this clever integrated shelving from designer Lonika Chande. She’s had the bright idea to take the citrus orange floor tiles up into a practical splashback, leaving the rest of the room with a more economical coat of paint.
• Pictured: Design by Lonika Chande
Light and bright is really the way to go. In the tiniest of spaces, choose furniture with visual lightness – that could be slim arms and spindly legs on your chairs, glass tops on coffee or console tables, and pale finishes on your upholstery.
If your small home doesn't have the square footage for a full-size guest room, transform an existing area into a bunk space. Here, designer Ashley Gilbreath turned what was once a laundry room into a spot with built-in stacked beds for when little ones come to visit. 'It’s like riding a business class train; just pull the curtains,' Ashley says. 'If you’re seven years old, that’s the coolest thing ever.'
Galley kitchens do well with a run of wall cabinets, but all that bulkiness can overpower a small space. Glass fronts feel much lighter, diffusing the intensity of colour overhead and revealing an artful mix of kitchenware inside. The mismatch of uppers and lowers feels relaxed and a little less formal than the usual coordinating sets.
'When looking to kit out a small bedroom, being able to move freely around the bedroom is key to making sure you don’t bump your shins on clutter left around the floor. Think about investing in a storage bed either with drawers or with an ottoman lift, or if your budget prevents this, consider separate wheeled drawers that you can slide under the existing bed – just make sure you check the height from floor to bed,' says Caitlin Price, head of buying, furniture & flooring at John Lewis & Partners.
Pictured: House Beautiful Aro Bed and Nia Side Table, both at DFS
Removing doors or increasing the width of your doorways can make all the difference to the flow of your home and the amount of natural light available. Connect the adjoining spaces with a harmonious colour palette à la designer Sheree Millington, who has echoed the punchy blue paint of her kitchen cabinets in her hallway.
Never leave corners unaccounted for. An integrated bench and modest table can create an informal dining nook that can be used for leisurely breakfasts as it can for home working.
Colour drenching is a tried and tested strategy in box rooms, and an oily, olive green is a great choice of paint. It adapts well to both daylight and lamplight – it doesn’t shift dramatically or bounce too much light around the room – which keeps shadows soft. The Henry Holland Blenets check fabric breaks the block of green in quite a fabulous way.
• Pictured: Harlequin x Henry Holland Blenets Check Mini fabric
The ever resourceful Katherine Ormerod added overhead shelving in her diminutive bathroom – with a squiggly trim for good measure – and packed all her essentials into pretty toiletry bags.
White is an obvious one for small rooms, but the key is choosing the right undertone. A brilliant white can make shadows appear harsher and highlight every corner, which often makes a compact space feel boxy, not bigger. Instead, look for a soft white with a touch of grey or cream, which diffuses light more evenly. For those considering an all white room, have a look at our deep dive into white paint.
• Pictured: Country Living Morocco Carpet at Tapi
If you like the expansive feeling that neutrals lend to a small bathroom, aim for different textures – the panelling, tiles and plaster combo here offers a bit of gentle differentiation.
A brilliant solution for narrow bedrooms. If your bed blocks your bedroom door from opening fully, swap them for slim double doors like these that can fit in a standard frame.
Intense colour or pattern does brilliantly well in small spaces where the effect is contained. A wallpaper like this can be taken up onto the ceiling too for a totally enveloping effect. 'A downstairs toilet is a great place to experiment with your decoration ideas by using bold and contrasting colours,' says Suzanne Duin, founder of Maison Maison.
• Pictured: Hollyhocks Wallpaper at House of Hackney
Every inch of this tiny bedroom has been used to wonderful effect by interior designer Jojo Barr of House Nine – have a look at the rest of the home, we're utterly obsessed. The green wall panelling and picture rail combo is a particularly clever idea, adding oodles of colour and decor while sacrificing no more than a few inches of space.
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