I live in a really small home. It’s a small two-bedroom flat and with two tween daughters, we really have to make the most of every square inch. It’s not easy at all and it is getting more difficult with every year that passes as the kids accumulate more stuff. Progress upgrading our flat has been snail-slow because my husband and I have been busy building multiple businesses. But we have learnt a lot along the way. Because most British homes tend to be on the smaller side we need a lot of creativity when it comes to small home ideas. So today, I want to share some advice to help you make impactful upgrades to your small home.
Declutter Your Small Home
When thinking about the upgrades you want to make to your small home that can make the biggest impact and help your home feel more spacious, the best place to start is with a really thorough declutter. Nothing else you do will make much of a difference if you are still trying to cram too much stuff into your small home. It’s time to get ruthless. Get rid of everything you haven’t used in a while and are unlikely to use again. Sell belongings, take the rest to the charity shop and anything that needs binning can go to the local recycling centre. If you find you have a lot of stuff to get rid of, consider hiring a skip to save yourself a lot of hassle. One drop-off, one pick-up, and you’re done. I am dreaming of doing this at the moment. I would love to have a thorough clearout and only hang on to the essentials and things that bring me joy every day!
Maximise Every Inch of Space in Your Small Home
Once you’ve pared everything right back it’s time to look at spacial planning. The layout of your small home will have a huge impact on how spacious it feels. It is totally possible to live in a tiny home that doesn’t feel tiny at all. I had this realisation when my husband and I spent the weekend in a small private spa in North Devon. It was roughly the size of two containers and yet it felt pretty expansive. This was primarily down to the layout, but also the many ways that the owners had used biophilic design in the property. So if your home feels like a collection of tiny, separate boxes, it might be time to rethink the layout.
Old houses love their walls. They divide, they frame, and they hide staircases in weird places. But sometimes, all they do is make life harder. Removing just one wall can open up a space in ways you didn’t expect—turning a kitchen and dining room into a social hub or making a dark hallway disappear into something airy and useful.
Not keen on full demolition? Even switching a traditional door for a pocket version can make a difference and improve the flow in your home by creating more room to move and fewer obstacles.
One thing we have learnt over the years is that it pays to invest in multi-functional furniture. When you live in a small home, everything that you bring in has to work super hard for you to earn its place. Some of the best storage solutions don’t even look like storage. An ottoman bed that lifts to reveal under-bed storage works wonders in our bedroom for storing away bed linen and extra towels as well as spare bags and backpacks. We also have a coffee table in the living room with storage inside for extra blankets and cushions. When it comes to choosing furniture for a small home, multi-functional pieces are well worth the investment.
Use Natural Light to Open up the Space
The internal window in the home office allows natural light to move through this North London terraced house by Cairn Architects | Photography by Peter Landers and Anna Stathaki
One way to make a small home feel larger is to make the most of the natural light that you have available. A dark room shrinks. A bright one expands. Light is magic like that. So make sure that windows are unobstructed. Don’t place furniture that will block natural light from entering the room. Choose window treatments that let the maximum amount of light in during daylight hours and make sure you hang curtains outside of the window frame so that they don’t block out any light when open.
Mirrors can help to bounce natural light around your small home. Place them opposite a window, and all that natural light will be reflected back into the room. They also create the illusion of having another window in the room making it feel double aspect and much more expansive.
Another trick is to switch out solid doors for glass-paned doors and adding in internal windows that let light move throughout your small home uninterrupted. This can allow natural light to illuminate darker, narrower spaces that need brightening.
If your home lacks natural light like mine does, consider how to effectively use artificial light. Layer your lighting by choosing a mixture of overhead lighting, table lamps, wall sconces and LED lighting under shelving and cabinets. This will help your home feel more flexible as you choose the right kind of lighting for a given moment.
Storage is more important than ever in a small home and there are some clever ways to maximise your storage solutions. Having your belongings out on display will only make your small home feel smaller due to the visual clutter. Instead, meticulously curate what you want to have out on show and store everything else away neatly and out of sight.
If you have open shelving units, consider adding small storage boxes so everything is out of sight and streamlined. If you have awkward alcoves, consider creating built-in storage cupboards with doors that keep your belongings out of sight.
If your small floor plan doesn’t leave much room for added storage cabinets, consider using the vertical potential of the walls. The space up near the ceiling is wasted space and can easily be maximised. For example, if you don’t have space for a floor-standing bookcase, install a book shelf about a foot below the ceiling that extends around the room. This keeps your books out of the line of sight but still accessible and makes the most of that unused space.
Create Depth with Colour and Texture in a Small Home
It is very tempting in a small home to stick with white or other very light colours when you decorate. Wisdom tells us that lighter colours reflect light and darker colours absorb it. Whilst this may be true, no amount of white paint is going to make a particularly small home feel as spacious as you’d like. Instead embrace cosier darker colours and give your home some personality.
Texture can bring your home to life and will make a big impact as it will not only make your small home feel cosier but it will also add layers of visual interest and tactility that will tantilise the senses.
If you are lucky enough to have outdoor space make sure you are maximising its potential. Vertical gardens can turn a bare wall into a lush green feature. A foldaway bistro table and chairs mean you can eat outside, even if it’s just a morning coffee. And if your garden connects to your home, matching indoor and outdoor flooring can blur the boundary, making everything feel bigger. Whether you have a large garden like we do, a small courtyard, a narrow balcony or a tiny strip of grass, there is always a way to upgrade it to benefit your small home.
No matter the size of your small home, there are affordable upgrades you can make that can help you to maximise it’s potential, make it feel more spacious and organised. Remember, the best small homes don’t try to pretend they’re bigger. They just use every inch brilliantly.
If you have any tips to add, please share in the comments.
Terrific moments of texture welcomely interrupt the laconic palette of this modern interior design. The 3D elements add interest to a palette of soft greige, white, and wood tone elements. The neutral tones build scenes of serenity throughout the apartment designed by Room.Atica. However, this muted home interior contains a surprisingly bright decor scheme in the kid’s room. Here, orange accents perform a powerful takeover, whilst smoothly curved motifs endure. Away from the youthful and vivacious energy of the final bedroom, the main living space is an open-plan haven of peace. The master bedroom echoes the same calm spirit, with a dash of creative energy across a spectacular 3D headboard feature wall.
A fabulous foam-soft living room rug is deeply ribbed to create a bed of texture underneath a curved sofa. The ribbed rug is complemented by a wood-slatted wall behind the couch and a vertical radiator on the adjacent wall. The matching, textured elements create a triangle of interest in the lounge layout.
Storage units are smoothly built into the greige room perimeter, creating a simple, streamlined finish. Coordinating frameless doors camouflage into their surroundings. Greige ceilings are perfectly color-matched to the walls to achieve a smoothly cohesive aesthetic. Daylight filters through the wood-slatted room divider to create light play over the lounge.
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The slatted room divider allows the line of sight to pass through into the neighboring kitchen and dining room. A round coffee table ties in with the natural tone of the wooden screen. A slimline living room floor lamp strikes a thin black accent, while a modern accent chair and an indoor tree drop in soothing green moments.
A second indoor tree softens the blunt side of the kitchen run. At night, the small living room floor lamp and a large dining room chandelier coalesce to create an atmospheric lighting scheme.
A natural throw is casually strewn over the chic curved sofa to accomplish a welcoming, relaxed look. A small floral plant makes a natural centerpiece on the coffee table.
A one wall kitchen installation features only base units to maintain visual serenity in the minimalist space. A linear suspension light illuminates the length of the kitchen.
A beige stone backsplash coordinates with the upholstered dining chairs. Pale wooden kitchen cabinets make a tonal accompaniment.
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Appliance housing units stand on the opposite side of the room. Open shelving surrounds two ovens, supplying space to display crockery.
In the master bedroom, a mesmerizing mosaic of ceramic 3D tiles climbs behind the headboard. These are Tetrapod tiles, designed by Serhii Makhno.
Modern bedroom pendant lights are strung in front of the headboard feature wall, like a brightly beaded necklace. Perimeter LEDs accentuate the extraordinary statement wall.
A small vanity table is established at one side of the bed, complete with a custom-cut mirror.
A slab of beautiful beige stone lays a console shelf underneath a wall-mounted TV.
A second bedside shelf completes the ensemble.
A subtle chevron pattern adds interest to the neutral bedroom curtains.
Inside the bathroom, a minimalist vanity unit underlines a luxe, stone sink. A black-framed bathroom mirror makes stark contrast with the greige stucco walls. A swing arm wall lamp offers a matching black finish.
More matt black bathroom fittings boldly punctuate the rest of the laconic greige bathroom decor scheme. A rainfall shower head hangs from a greige stucco ceiling.
The fitted bathtub is clad with smooth stone panels, which blend beautifully with its pale surroundings. A small, floating shelf stores toiletries up off the tub, and within easy reach when standing under the over-bath shower.
The toilet cistern is neatly contained within a concealment wall to cut down on visual clutter. A shallow shelf is created within the concealment wall to serve as a decorative feature. A decorative vase and a reed diffuser perch upon the ledge.
A wall-hung toilet keeps the bathroom floor space looking clean and clear, and therefore helps the room appear more spacious.
The modern kid’s room is a surprising contradiction to the rest of the neutral home interior. In this youthful space, the decor scheme comes alive with vibrant orange accents.
Textured, freeform orange rugs pool color on the floor, while an orange L-shaped headboard wraps the orange bed. A novelty neon wall light burns bright with fun factor next to a column of unique shelving.
A small reading nook is fashioned in an enclosed balcony area. A modern radiator heats the small space to create a cozy atmosphere.
Modern kids’ wardrobes are combined with a circular-themed shelving unit and an open base unit to create a unique storage composition. A kid’s desk runs alongside.
The bookshelves provide energizing orange accents around the kid’s workspace. Orange door handles accent the wardrobe.
A black kid’s chair and black wall shelves create weighty contrast with the brighter decor elements.
A faux fur pouf adds an irresistibly plush texture to the reading nook. A small tower of orange display shelves accent a playful, spotty wall treatment.
An orange accent chair and a small floor reading lamp complete the window nook.
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Inspired by nature, this 180 square metre minimalist home interior features an all-encompassing earthy colour palette of rich brown and tranquil beige. Textured elements give large living spaces great depth and unique character. Visualised by NK Interior in Kyiv, Ukraine, the home concept holds lofty rooms where rafters are smoothed over with wide panels of chocolatey wood grain. Matching wall panels call further attention to the towering height of the living areas and bedrooms alike. Fabulous pendant lights fill the spacious voids beneath the roofline, glowing with warm and atmospheric light. White marble slabs clad a luxurious bathroom decor scheme, where modern fixtures fashion a high-end finish.
We start the tour of this luxury home in an impressive double height living room, where a towering tiled feature wall bubbles with texture. The nature inspired 3D tile design is reminiscent of scales, and delivers a beautiful silky finish to the lounge area.
The ceiling of the enormous living room is clad in handsome wood grain, which makes the lofty space feel cosy despite its massive scale.
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A set of contrasting round coffee tables complement the freeform living room rug, which transitions from beige to black.
A textured ceramic vase and a unique incense burner decorate the larger of the two nesting coffee tables. The beige modern sofa draws a clean, simple line across the darkly detailed feature wall that lustres behind it.
The stylish lounge area opens directly into an equally lofty kitchen diner space, which follows the same serene colour palette of warm beige, matt black, and natural wood tone. The kitchen cabinets sport the same wood tone finish as the attractive ceilings in order to achieve an individually tailored look. Illuminated open kitchen shelves cross the back of the room, where they create a glowing point of interest.
Opposite the 3D tiled feature wall in the lounge, a modern fireplace flickers across a long black hearth. The TV is mounted just above it, set within a block of units with a reeded texture finish. The wall hung units offer generous storage space for media items, consoles and books.
A wide window frames a modern lounge chair that has a unique sculptural appeal. A fabulous view of mature trees spans the distant horizon.
Linear suspension lights hang parallel above the living room in an understated fashion.
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Conversely, a dining chandelier makes a big statement in the neighbouring space with multiple low hanging pendants. The three pendants draw loose halos along the length of a large dining table and integrated kitchen island. A piece of 3D relief artwork is propped against the wall of the dining area to add interest to the plain grey render.
Upholstered dining chairs make square silhouettes at either side of the bespoke rectangle dining table, which features a glass panel at one side to lighten the look.
An induction hob with an integrated extractor unit is set on the kitchen island alongside the dining table, putting the cook right next to the diners for ease of social interaction.
The other side of the kitchen island houses two deep drawer units–perfect for storing all of the cutlery, napkins, placemats, serving bowls, and other items that are frequently used at the dining table.
Inside the first bedroom, a dreamy marble accent wall features fashionably fluted texture sections. The luxe grey stone contrasts coolly against the visual warmth of smooth wooden ceiling panels. LED perimeter lights draw a bright divide between the materials, which gives added emphasis to the feature wall.
Multiple bedroom pendant lights stream down in front of the textured focal wall, landing low over one of the bedside units. A freeform bedroom area rug lays shades of grey across the microcement floor.
A simple dressing table links onto the side of the bedroom TV wall units. An illuminated vanity mirror provides focussed task lighting.
The next bedroom lighting scheme takes a different turn, with great looping modern chandeliers that create an immediate statement above the bed.
Raw cement walls give the peaceful bedroom design a subtle texture.
Fluted glass fronted units glow from within at the foot of the upholstered bed.
A bespoke dressing table module is tagged onto the side of the glass units. A modern grey vanity chair tucks beneath.
The spacious walk in wardrobe is brightly lit by LED perimeter lighting, which makes selecting a clothing colour match an easier task.
The built-in lighting scheme creates atmospheric illumination over the textured walls of the walk in closet.
Square units are situated slightly apart, creating a freestanding cabinet aesthetic.
Inside the luxury bathroom design, glossy white marble slabs cover the walls and the floor to achieve one streamlined, cohesive look. Dark grey vein strikes through the white stone, creating a dramatic finish. This dark accent inspires the colourway of a charcoal grey toilet cistern concealment wall and a matching grey modern toilet. White mosaic tiles build a shimmering tower inside the shower enclosure.
Black single bar heated towel rails and coordinating black shower fixtures contrast darkly against the white marble wall panels.
A small grey marble bathroom table holds toiletries close by the shower door for convenience.
A linear white marble bathroom vanity unit seems to extrude from the matching marble walls.
Slatted panels and natural stone bring deep and luxurious texture to this chic modern home design, visualised by ArtPartner Architects. The textural decor is smoothed by curvaceous furniture lines and graceful classic arches within the high ceilinged architecture. Large living spaces exude elegance under a delicate tonal colour palette of warm beiges and soft browns. Copper accents add a rich and lustrous element inside the captivating kitchen design, where a stone island lays down a solid anchor in front of a kitchen run that’s concealed behind slatted doors. The textural theme is consistent throughout, with lined feature walls crisply counteracting curves at every beautiful turn of the sumptuous living area and impressive master bedroom.
A curved sofa embraces the lounge perimeter with a sweep of soft fawn brown. A matching modern lounge chair and ottoman dot circular accompaniments.
In front of the curved sofa, a round coffee table creates a core for the loose furniture layout. A circular chandelier takes the curved shape theme to the ceiling.
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Modern wall sconces are paired vertically behind the sofa to fashion a decorative column of gentle atmospheric light. A contemporary lamp sits low by the armchair to distribute an even glow.
The large modern chandelier makes the most of the impressive ceiling height in the living room. Surface mounted spotlights ensure practical, wide-spread illumination.
A natural, woven area rug softens the wood laminate floor.
The TV wall includes a bespoke wall mounted bookcase that reveals only glimpses of the home library from behind dark wood slatted doors.
A luxe marble hearth runs the length of the room, with a small modern fireplace flickering neatly at just one end of its sleek stone surface.
A wall mounted OLED TV takes pride of place dead centre between the floating bookcases.
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The dining room is a chic, sophisticated arrangement with a delicate palette of fawn and grey. Light brown upholstered dining chairs encircle a cool stone dining table with moments of visual warmth.
The rounded silhouette of the dining room chandelier and the curved back dining chairs complement a row of classic arched windows. Venetian window blinds fall in front of the arched glass, where they cause an interesting criss-cross effect against a surrounding wall of ribbed panelling.
An attractive botanical centrepiece adds a touch of wild to the refined dining set. Feathery plumes of Pampas grass make a tonal link with the brown upholstered dining chairs.
The kitchen is a captivating space set beneath a high sloping ceiling with large velux windows, which rain copious amounts of natural light.
The light from the velux windows is perfectly positioned to play upon two bright copper kitchen extractors, causing spectacular lustre.
Tilework is fashioned into an arc beneath the beautiful solid stone kitchen island to honour the home’s architectural arches.
Dining chairs are set along the edge of the kitchen island to form a breakfast bar.
An inset induction hob brings the chef to the diners.
Ribbed gypsum panels texturise a feature wall opposite the island, around the kitchen’s bay window.
A small sitting area is arranged in the bay window as a place to take in the view or to enjoy reading under the unique floor lamp.
A small side table offers a spot to set down tea or coffee.
Behind the kitchen island, the rest of the kitchen cabinets are revealed from behind a wall of slatted doors, which perfectly match the bookcases in the lounge.
A copper kitchen tap melds warmly with the brown cabinets and coordinating countertop.
Moving on into the private master, the colour palette is cooled to an all grey scheme. A grey and white houndstooth bedroom rug is spread out beneath the grey bedstead, and a grey bedroom chair occupies the corner.
Elegant arched windows gracefully leap alongside the bed. Modern round bedside tables complement their perfect curves.
The deep headboard multitasks as a bookcase and a comfortable bedroom workspace that stays peacefully hidden from view. A curved back chair dips just below the surface of the incognito desk design, staying neatly out of plain sight.
The bed is angled toward a large balcony and a wonderful wide open view.
A wall of fluted glass separates the sleep space from the bedroom entryway, and forms a cosy screen around a comfortable seating area.
Sculptural pendant lights descend on the seating nook, where a planter of Pampas grass is softly uplit to highlight its texture and colour.
A change in flooring takes place beneath the two club chairs, to mark change in function.
A slimline chrome floor lamp provides reading light by the bed.
Light switches and handy charging points are set right into the deep multifunctional headboard design.
Textural botanical displays soften the corners of the room, whilst gypsum wall panels maintain modern clean lines.
Ribbed, slatted and fluted materials make linear counteraction with the arched windows and doors in the architecture of the home.
An arched doorway with a dramatic deep reveal sets an impressive first impression at the home entryway. An arched mirror replicates the aesthetic.
In the luxurious bathroom, linearity reigns supreme with ribbed unit facias and a sharply square vanity mirror.
Entrancing textural decor brings this modern home to life for a large family, located near Kyiv, Ukraine. Designed by Trush Design, the 750 square metre house features a collectable Ferrari that is displayed in the living room from within a glass wall garage. The interior is a chic array of comfortable modern furniture and huge pieces of eye-catching art. A combination of deeply textured stone and burnished metal brings brutalist moments to the cosy decor scheme, creating a wonderful juxtaposition of materials. Unique pendant lights and a plethora of perimeter lights make up an atmospheric glow after dark. Terraces are styled to match with mood lighting, modish lounge furniture and sculptural elements.
The impressive modern home exterior communicates a sharp, linear aesthetic against the green landscape. A lush lawn rolls from a decorative modern pool by the terrace, to the edge of a picturesque lake. Mature trees sway in the breeze, creating a soundtrack of restful rustling leaves around the house.
Linear stepping stones cross the man-made reflection pool that runs along the front of the outdoor living space. The Spun chair designed by Thomas Heatherwick for Magis dots small sculptural moments along its grassy edge.
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There is a dreamy hammock space set up at one end of the sheltered terrace, where the home owners can read or snooze under a blanket in the cool shade. The glass wall garage brings a glimpse of the homeowner’s collectable Ferrari to the outdoor living room, which is sharply outlined with LED ribbons.
A massive modern sculpture stands on a platform within the boundary of the pool. Its hammered metal finish playfully reflects the sunlight just like the rippling waters below.
A sculptural wall light glows behind the outdoor sofa, where it highlights formwork concrete and slatted panel walls.
A lounge area juts out across the plot toward the spectacular lakeside vista. A modern fireplace makes the spot feel cosy and welcoming.
An outdoor kitchen features a state of the art grill.
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Huge boulders nestle up against the front of the house, bedded within a naturalistic groundcover. The organic forms spectacularly contradict the building’s flat modernity, and the sleek Ferrari that can be glimpsed through the glass in the facade.
In the main living room, sections of a plush dark grey modern sofa are arranged into a large L-shaped formation with side tables neatly inserted between.
A fabulous arched floor lamp interacts with a looped ceiling light across the dining area.
A contemporary fireplace flickers underneath the TV mount, which is suspended from the ceiling. Modern wall lights burn brightly along the hallway behind it.
Unique directional pendant lights softly illuminate the glass wall garage and its showpiece.
Rough rock walls make a deeply contrasting frame around the sleek lines of the collectable car.
Another large bronze sculpture is displayed within the home, close by the view of the huge outdoor version.
Boards of wooden flooring artfully interrupt the concrete screed.
The long formal dining table seats 12 diners, a must for the large a family,
Upstairs, there is a comfortable terrace with a stylish modular sofa. Built-in planters provide a brush of tranquil greenery.
Glass balustrades leave the beautiful panorama unobstructed.
A modern painting brings a blast of blue to the formwork walls.
Pebble-like stools sit in observation of the artwork.
LED ribbons thread light along the hallway.
The kitchen is a crisp contemporary line of travertine and metal.
The designers packed the entire layout with edge lighting to instil a cosy atmosphere in the evenings.
A mini inner garden grows a bonsai tree by the staircase.
In the bedroom, an illuminated art installation makes up a striking headboard wall.
A floating vanity table runs off the wall of wardrobes. A frameless custom cut mirror makes the small vanity area feel much larger and lighter.
This dramatic grey bedroom is textured with ridged rock wall panels, which are spotlighted under a modern floor lamp and warm perimeter lights.
A freeform bedroom rug edges out from under the upholstered bed.
A luxurious square bathtub is sunken into a deep platform with steps leading up to it. Wide windows open the bathing area up to spectacular lakeside views.
A wall hung grey toilet and bidet set are situated within the screened shower area. A recessed shelving unit stores toiletries and rolled towels.
Subtle mood lighting creates a relaxing shower ambiance.
Freeform wall mirrors form an artistic trio over the basin. Bronze wall panels hug the edges of the contemporary bathroom vanity.
In the powder room, a rock face feature wall boldly backs the bathroom vanity area.
A black toilet and flush plate quietly camouflage against a shadowy black cistern concealment wall. Stem bathroom vanity lights descend upon the modern stone basin and countertop. A bespoke horizontal mirror cleanly cuts across the rugged backsplash. See more inspiration for vanity mirrors here.
The final bathroom on the property takes on a much lighter decor aesthetic, with all-white sanitaryware and pale concrete walls.
