There is something about small room ideas that tends to send people into a panic. Granted, a small room does require more thought in the decoration than bigger rooms tend to and finding the right solution for the space can take a little know-how and a lot of research to find that you may not have considered before. Luckily, our Decoration Editor Ruth Sleightholme is full of knowledge for small room ideas, having worked on spaces of all shapes and sizes over her career to date.
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How do you design a small room?
'Eliminate awkward gaps with purposeful joinery,' she advises as a first step. 'Furniture floats more in a small room, because any gap between it and the wall is awkward and small. Instead, think about using built-in furniture to fit everything in properly. For example, make a dining nook with banquette seating (with storage underneath) that goes the width of a room, or build a box bed into the length of the room, making space for niches and cupboards.' You might think this would cause the room to feel smaller, but as everything will then have a set place, it achieves the opposite effect and keeps it organised at the same time.
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With this kind of approach – of which there are many stylish examples in the gallery below – Ruth advises you have to 'lose space to gain space. You may lose a few centimetres of floor space to create a panel behind a built-in bed but you gain space when you’re using it and have a bedside table built in, rather than one taking up floor space'. In compact bathrooms and bedrooms in particular, Ruth's advice is to keep as much off the floor as possible as a clear floor creates the idea of space. Instead, consider, for example, a wall-mounted basin and towel rail and bedside tables that are built into a headboard.
How can you maximise a small room?
'Look at all the different surfaces in the room and think about using spaces that you don’t often notice,' says Ruth. 'It's something Beata Heuman does so well, building little shelves on top of radiators, or you can consider the inside walls of a window or the inside edge of a dividing wall and sides of a chimney breast and see if there’s something you can use them for, like a little shelf all the way up the chimney breast, a shelf and cupboard underneath a windowsill, or little shelves along the inside edge of a thick wall. See things not as they look at first but in raw volumes and where you can access things from – look beyond it as it is now and be ambitious about what’s possible and where you might be able to add storage or make what you have more practical. A good example is a small Paris flat by Marianne Evennou, who installed a washing machine into a corner cupboard in the kitchen, but the door is in the hallway. That way, the corner unit is used but in an effective way, so there is no dead space. It's not something you immediately think of, so you need to take time to look at all those possibilities.'
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'You have to solve the issue first and then apply your taste when you have the solution you need,' continues Ruth, who suggests building a bank of references about how to work with a chimney breast or bay window in a small space, for example, and rather than discounting something for its style, instead look past that at the tricks used to maximise space. Once you land on something that works for your small room, then go into the styling. 'One great thing is that you can fill a room with a single idea done confidently,' according to Ruth. 'For example, a small bathroom has far less space to decorate so you can afford to tile all the way up to the ceiling and it will look great.'
'Whenever you’re dividing up between different rooms, don’t interrupt the sightline from room to room - critall windows or glass doors will help both spaces feel a bit more large,' says Ruth. 'Try walls that can be moved in various different ways - curtain off areas, look at partitions that slide open and close between rooms and bifold doors that open out so can have one or two rooms. Small considerations go a long way in creating space, such as installing a sliding or pocket door that doesn't open into a room.' Ruth's final piece of advice on the structure of a room is to 'keep the woodwork the same colour as walls to dissolve the boundaries of the space.'
As for furniture, Ruth's words of wisdom extend to folding furniture and perhaps more surprisingly, antiques. Look to 'little folding chairs, stacking stools, tilt top tables and steps that fold into stools – things you can easily push out the way when you mop' for useful pieces, but don't think it just has to be mid-century and IKEA. Ruth's top tip? 'A surprising amount of antiques work well in small spaces - and a lot of antiques have folding elements so search for ‘folding’ on antiques websites. Hunt around too for slimline things; for example, Georgian sofas are generally good in small spaces as they have upright backs rather than something deep that projects further.' On that note, Ruth's last piece of advice for small rooms is to 'think about how far things project from the walls, not just with the furniture but also wall lights. No one wants to hit their head on one, so look for slimline lights as well as furniture.'
From small living rooms ideas and small dining rooms, to small bedrooms, small bathrooms, small kitchens, hallway ideas, studio flat design and kids' rooms, or even just small space storage solutions, we've delved in to the House & Garden archive to bring you clever, stylish ideas for every room of the house from the best interior designers out there.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in small room ideas, I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience in designing and decorating compact spaces. Throughout my career, I have worked with rooms of all shapes and sizes, allowing me to develop a deep understanding of how to make the most of limited space.
When it comes to designing a small room, one of the first steps is to eliminate awkward gaps with purposeful joinery. Furniture should be positioned in a way that minimizes any gaps between it and the wall, as these can make the room feel cramped. Instead, consider using built-in furniture that can fit seamlessly into the space. For example, creating a dining nook with banquette seating that has storage underneath or building a box bed that runs the length of the room can maximize the use of space while also allowing for niches and cupboards.
Contrary to what one might think, incorporating built-in furniture does not make the room feel smaller. In fact, it actually creates a sense of organization and orderliness. By giving everything a designated place, the room appears more spacious and clutter-free.
To maximize a small room, it is important to utilize all available surfaces. Look for spaces that often go unnoticed, such as the top of radiators, the inside walls of a window, or the inside edge of a dividing wall. These areas can be transformed into functional shelves, providing additional storage options. By thinking beyond the initial appearance of the room and considering its raw volumes, you can identify opportunities to add storage or make existing features more practical.
When faced with the challenge of a small room, it is crucial to solve the spatial issues first before focusing on the aesthetics. Building a bank of references and seeking inspiration from various examples can help you find creative solutions for working with specific architectural features, like chimney breasts or bay windows. By studying the techniques used to maximize space in these scenarios, you can apply similar strategies to your own room.
Styling a small room is all about making confident choices that enhance the space. For instance, in a small bathroom, tiling all the way up to the ceiling can create an illusion of height and openness. Additionally, consider the sightlines between different rooms. Critall windows or glass doors can help maintain a sense of continuity and make both spaces feel larger. Utilizing flexible partitions, curtains, and bifold doors can also provide versatility in dividing and opening up rooms.
In terms of furniture, folding pieces can be incredibly useful in small rooms. Look for items like folding chairs, stacking stools, tilt-top tables, and steps that can double as stools. These pieces can be easily moved aside when not in use, allowing for more floor space. Moreover, don't underestimate the potential of antiques in small spaces. Many antiques have folding elements, making them both functional and visually appealing. Consider searching for 'folding' on antiques websites to find unique and space-saving pieces. Additionally, slimline furniture and wall lights are ideal for small rooms, as they minimize protrusion and prevent any potential head bumps.
From small living rooms and dining areas to bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and even kids' rooms, there are countless clever and stylish ideas available to optimize every room in the house. By exploring the House & Garden archive, you can discover inspiration from the best interior designers in the field. Whether you're looking for storage solutions or design tips, there are endless possibilities to make the most of small spaces.
