18 Small-Space Styling Secrets Interior Designers Know (That You Don't)

1. Hanging your curtains above your window

A simple and affordable way to make a small space look bigger is by installing your curtain rods close to the ceiling rather than just where your window ends. "Including longer and wider curtains is a great way to make a smaller bedroom or space feel more spacious," shares interior designer Jenn Bliss. This is because it draws the eye upward, giving the illusion of higher ceilings and in turn, a larger room. "We love to use darker colour rods as well to draw the eye as high as possible."

For maximum effect, extend the curtain rod beyond the window (approximately 7-14 cm on each side) to make the window appear larger when the curtains are open.

"Or, you can even go a step further and cover the entire wall with a curtain from floor to ceiling. It will instantly trick the eye, and make your window look even larger," shares interior designer Tim Neve.

3. Ditch dining table chairs for stools or a built-in bench seat

If your dining area is confined to a small nook, choosing stackable stools or a built-in bench seat as a practical solution. They occupy less space compared to traditional dining chairs but fulfill the same function. Additionally, having extra stools that can be easily stacked is convenient when entertaining guests in your living room and you require additional seating options.

"One of the best decisions we made at Talm Beach House was incorporating an 'L shaped' built-in bench seat in the corner of the room instead of using dining table chairs all the way around," explains Jenn. "This allowed us to push the dining table as close to the wall as possible which gave us more room and space in the living areas. It creates the illusion that the room/space is bigger than what it really is."

5. Choose low-profile furniture

Furniture that sits lower to the ground can help create a sense of openness in a space. This is because they don't obstruct sightlines across the room as much as taller furniture. This can create a more expansive and uninterrupted view, giving the illusion of a larger space.

"I love selecting furniture pieces that don’t obstruct each other, over power another piece or block a beautiful view or window. Lower-lying pieces make the room feel larger and more inviting," says Jenn.

7. Sliding doors over swinging doors

Eliminate the swing and install sliding doors to your bathroom or bedroom. Sliding doors are a great way to create privacy and divide spaces without taking up additional floorspace or obstructing other items. Paint them the same colour as your walls so as not to break up the line of vision.

9. Invest in a reupholstered ottoman

A reupholstered ottoman wears many hats in your living room; it's a coffee table, a footrest, and even extra seating – genius! "Ottomans are an easy item to upcycle yourself with a square of fabric and a staple gun, to give them a new look and lease of life," says Tim.

11. Use large, not small rugs

Small space, small items, right? Wrong! When you use a small rug in a small space, that's exactly what you will see; a small space. If you opt for a large rug it will trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it really is.

"Always make sure your rug is large enough for at least the front two legs of your sofa to easily fit on it. Otherwise, it will end up feeling floating and detached from the rest of the furniture in the room," explains Tim.

13. Upsize your duvet

When it comes to your bedroom, upsizing your duvet is the simple trick that can make a big difference. Many beds showcased in magazines or on Instagram are photographed with an oversized duvet. This technique enables the duvet to drape over the bed's edges or even reach the floor, creating the illusion of a larger bed size.

15. Choose a round dining table

Round tables are a smart choice for small dining rooms because they can better fit into compact spaces. They also promote conversation and help create a warm atmosphere for gatherings.

17. Ditch the bed frame for a bedhead

Don't have enough space for a bedframe but feel like your bedroom looks unpolished? Never fear. A bedhead is a great option for small rooms because they only use vertical space.