Whether you have a small home that needs some overall planning to maximise space, or a problem room that just doesn’t work for your needs, these affordable small room ideas will help to transform any space!
Not everyone is blessed with a house with large rooms, and if your small rooms sometimes feel like a squeeze, you’re not alone. From dual-purpose furniture to space-saving brilliance, these easy small room ideas are genius — and most of them cost very little to try.
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Small Room Ideas That Really Work
#1. Use a Bedside Corner Shelf
Image: Apartment Therapy
If space is tight in your bedroom and you don’t have room for a bedside table, this idea for a corner shelf at the bedside from Apartment Therapy is a neat one.
#2. Shelves as Bedside Tables
Image: Lushome
Another simple but effective bedroom trick is building shelves up the wall that double up as bedside table space too, like this idea from Lushome.
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#3. Fill Unused Spaces
Image: Truly Lovely Life
Corner spaces that are too small for furniture make the ideal spot for floating shelves or fitted corner shelves, like this example from Truly Lovely Life.
Here’s a video tutorial showing how to build a similar bookcase:
#4. Use Spaces Above Doors
Image: The 2 Seasons
Use the space above doors for shelving to create more storage options — like The 2 Seasons did in this bathroom example. It’s perfect for storing extra towels or items you don’t need on a daily basis.
#5. Under Bed Storage
Image: Vanilla Joy
Maximise storage by using the space under your bed — buy or create your own storage tubs on wheels to roll in and out, or use vacuum-pack storage cases where you squeeze out the air to keep them super flat.
We love this idea from Vanilla Joy, where they made a platform bed based on an Ikea bookcase at the end of the bed for extra storage.
#6. Use Under Stair Space
Image: Design Sponge
Under-stairs space often goes to waste, but it can be brilliant for storage. This mix of open storage cubby holes shown on Design Sponge lets you hang and stack everything you need for day-to-day life.
Other ideas could include creating a small work space with a desk and shelving, a play space for young children, a coat and bag storage area, or somewhere to keep bulky items like vacuums and cleaning supplies.
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#7. Sliding Walls
Image: Dwell
Use sliding walls in place of doors to streamline space and separate larger areas into smaller zones. In this example from Dwell, a sliding door separates the master bedroom from the living room and doubles as a backdrop for a projector.
#8. Fold-Down Furniture to Save Space
Image: Shanty 2 Chic
We love this project from Shanty 2 Chic to make a DIY Murphy desk that folds down from the wall. You could try the same idea for a breakfast table if you’re short of space in the kitchen.
#9. Extra Kitchen Storage
Image: Classy Clutter
If you have a narrow, unused space in your kitchen, you could build a DIY storage unit to fit it — like this idea from Classy Clutter, who made a narrow larder unit to fill the gap beside their fridge.
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#10. Laundry Cupboard
Image: One Kind Design
If you only have a small space for your washing machine and dryer, this tip from One Kind Design is neat — stack your appliances and add shelving to the side for detergents and cleaning supplies.
#11. Make a Feature Wall
Image: Damsel in Dior
Draw attention away from a room’s size by making a dramatic statement on one wall. The easiest way to do this is with an eye-catching statement wallpaper, like this one from Damsel in Dior.
Keep the rest of the walls in a neutral colour and this design will “pop”, giving the room a proper focal point.
#12. Pick Versatile Furniture for Your Living Room
If your living room is on the small side, buy versatile furniture that you can store away and pull out when needed. Nest tables are a good idea, giving you several surfaces that compact into one, while a coffee table on wheels can be moved easily, and an ottoman can pull double duty as seating and a surface.
#13. Try Different Arrangements of Furniture
Image: Homedit
If your room size is making things tricky, try a different furniture arrangement. In a room of 100 sq ft, there can be as many as 10 different layouts depending on how you arrange your furniture.
Here’s a handy diagram from Homedit showing some possible configurations for a small living room, depending on your furniture.
#14. Draw the Eye Upwards
Image: My Domaine
If you have low ceilings, try this trick from My Domaine. Draw the eye upward by placing eye-catching items up high, or running an accent piece from floor to ceiling to create the illusion of height.
#15. Don’t Be Afraid to Use the Window as a Wall
Image: BHG
In small rooms, convention can go out the window! Try this tip from Better Homes & Gardens — position your bed against the window if it better suits the room’s dimensions. You can turn the window into a feature behind your bed, freeing up the other walls for whatever storage or furniture you actually need.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest way to make a small room feel bigger?
Decluttering is free and makes the biggest difference. After that, simple wins like floating shelves, under-bed storage boxes, and keeping walls in light neutral tones all help a room feel bigger without any major spend.
How can I add storage to a small room without built-in wardrobes?
Look for unused spots first — above doors, in corners, under stairs and under the bed. Floating shelves, corner shelving and rolling storage tubs all add capacity without eating into floor space.
Does furniture arrangement really make a room feel bigger?
Yes. The same small room can feel completely different depending on layout. Try a few configurations — pulling furniture slightly away from walls, angling a piece into a corner, or swapping which wall holds the largest item — before deciding a room “just doesn’t work”.
What kind of furniture works best in small rooms?
Versatile, multi-purpose pieces are your friend: nesting tables, ottomans that double as seating and storage, coffee tables on wheels, and fold-down desks or tables that tuck flat against the wall when not in use.
Related Articles
- 10 Practical Storage Hacks To Help Declutter The House
- 8 Simple Small Bedroom Ideas to Make it Feel Great
- 10 Simple Ways to Declutter Your Home
- 20 Home Renovation Ideas to Boost Your House Value
- An Easy Kids Playroom Makeover on a Budget
Have your say! Do you have any small room ideas or tips to share? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
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