Before & After: Expert Tips for Transforming Small Spaces
Decorating a small home is more challenging than people realise. If you get the layout wrong, it can feel cramped, too much furniture becomes clutter and poor lighting equals “Hello, shoebox” vibes. But there are some clever tricks to make even the tiniest of spaces feel grand, airy and chic. Lucky for you, we have mastered them! (#NotSoHumbleBrag)
Take our recent project: When our empty-nester client decided to downsize to a one-bedroom garden cottage, she wanted it to feel spacious, elegant and practical. But walls were blocking light, storage was scarce and a very awkwardly placed toilet made for an “interesting” porcelain focal point (yikes).
Challenge accepted! We reimagined the layout, redefined the details and worked our magic to create a home that feels open, surprisingly roomy and utterly fabulous.
Here’s how you can steal our best small-space design tricks for your own home:
1. The Layout Shake-Up
If your home is giving ‘cramped chaos ’rather than ‘cosy charm’, it might be time to rethink the layout. Good design is all about flow, guiding the eye and body through space in a way that feels effortless and expansive. Open-plan living, multifunctional zones and well-placed focal points can make a huge difference.
What We Did: We went in with the sledgehammers and ripped out anything that looked remotely structural! Okay, not really. But we did gut the cottage and reconfigure the interior. We removed some of the (non-load bearing) walls and created a new floor plan that actually makes sense.
In this cottage, a toilet in plain sight was quite the eye-sore (like a porcelain monument to bad planning). And it was framed by an awkward archway. No thanks! We redirected the flow, swapped the unusual placement for a sleek barn door and introduced a floating vanity that instantly elevated the space. Now that’s an upgrade!
2. Let There Be Light (and Airiness!)
Light is a game-changer in small homes. The more you have (natural or artificial), the bigger a room feels. And if you can’t add windows, fake it with mirrors! Large well-placed mirrors can be used to reflect light and transform a cramped space into one that is open and airy. Not to mention creating more opportunities for selfies! It’s a pleasure.
What We Did: Apart from upgrading the lighting, we also included more mirrors. We replaced the tired old vanity mirror in the bathroom with a bold, black-framed statement mirror — because it looked cool.
We also rearranged the bedroom so that the headboard is no longer blocking a window and introduced sheer curtains that allow light in while still maintaining privacy.
The result? Spaces that feel instantly larger, brighter and infinitely more stylish.
3. The Colour and Texture Game
Your colour palette can make or break a space. Choose lighter tones like whites, creams and soft greys for walls, floors and cabinetry. Layering textures — like sleek glass, plush fabrics and natural wood — adds depth and dimension, tricking the eye into perceiving a room as larger and more inviting.
What We Did: We swapped out the dark floor tiles for light wooden floorboards throughout the house and installed checkerboard floors in the bathroom (classic and chic, right?). We painted the walls white or light colours to create a sense of space and introduced statement walls with wallpaper to create depth.
In the kitchen, we ditched the dated green cabinets for crisp white ones. And (bonus trick) the horizontal subway tiles draw your eyes horizontally making the room appear wider than it actually is. Sneaky, right?
4. Smart Storage Solutions
Clutter is the enemy of small spaces but hidden storage can be your best friend! Multi-use furniture, smart storage and anything that lets you shove things out of sight in a hurry can help keep things tidy without sacrificing style and make your limited square footage go a lot further.
What We Did: Since there wasn’t room for a separate office, we designed a sleek desk and shelving unit that tucks away neatly behind closed doors in the open-plan living space. The client now has a functional workspace that disappears when not in use… along with any of the clutter you typically find in an office.
5. Custom Furniture
The right furniture choices can alter how big or small a room feels. Instead of discarding beloved items because they make your home feel cramped, consider painting or reupholstering them in lighter tones to create a more open, airy feel.
What We Did: We gave the client’s favourite armchair a glow-up by reupholstering it in a lighter fabric. Same chair, fresh new look and suddenly the whole space feels more open. Magic!
6. Maximising Vertical Space
If you can’t go wider, go taller. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, vertical shelving and even strategically placed wallpaper can draw the eye upward and create the illusion of height.
What We Did: In the kitchen, we extended the cabinets all the way to the ceiling—maximising storage space and making the room feel loftier. In the living area and the bedroom, we used wallpaper that also draws the eye upwards to make it feel more expansive.
7. How to Add Personality Without Overwhelming the Space
Regardless of the size, your home should feel like you with personalised pieces that mean something. The trick here is to be selective. (If it looks like a car boot sale, you’ve gone too far.) Choose a few meaningful décor items and create carefully considered focal points.
Fun fact: When it comes to wall art, you can go quite big. It can feel counterintuitive, but a larger piece can actually make a room feel bigger rather than cramped and cluttered.
What We Did: Instead of cluttering surfaces with small décor items, we focused on a few impactful pieces (like those handcrafted vessels) that gave the space character without overwhelming it. We also used bold wall art in a small area to create a sense of expansiveness.
How to Steal These Ideas for Your Own Home
If your small space is feeling more broom cupboard than boutique hotel, here’s what to do: prioritise layout and flow, maximise light, use light colours, layer textures, implement smart storage, utilise vertical space and personalise thoughtfully. The result is a home that feels twice the size and more stylish too!
Need help designing your own tiny-but-fabulous home? DIYgirls is here to make it happen. Contact us for a consultation and let us help you maximise your small space with big style.
