Tips for decorating a small space

Small spaces are underrated says Mike Greeff, CEO of Greeff Christie's International Real Estate. Decorating an area where you are limited in terms of size, allows you to focus on functionality and making the space work for you. You need to think about the practicality of the space and in doing so, you only decorate with items that you really love. A home small in size does not have to lack uniqueness and style and decorating a small space does not have to be intimidating. The below tips will help you to transform your small space into a beautiful, functional, comfortable oasis.

1. Let the light in

Light is an essential part of any living space, regardless of its size, but it's even more important to have good lighting when you are living in a small space. Ensuring that your tiny area is adequately lit will help your home feel more open, breathable and livable. Of course, natural light is the most ideal, but if that is not possible, try adding overhead lighting as well as a few table or floor lamps.  

2. Divide and conquer

You can divide up your small space without making it feel too tight by using rice paper room dividers, or open shelving. This can create separate spaces without cramping up your living area and making it feel claustrophobic. All of these options allow light to continue to shine through, which is crucial for keeping your space feeling as airy and open as possible, as mentioned above. These sorts of dividers also act as dramatic design elements in their own right and add additional panache to your home.

3. Mirror, mirror on the wall

Mirrors add extra light and gives you the feeling of additional space by reflecting back natural and non-natural lighting. Use one large mirror or arrange a few smaller ones throughout a room. You can even create a gallery wall of mirrors like you might do with art.

4. Have a focal point

A focal point in a small living space allows a room to feel more ''put together''. If you have lots of smaller features in a room, without having a distinct focal point, can leave a space feeling cluttered and somewhat disorganized. You might want to consider adding a gallery wall, or perhaps hanging a large piece of art. By doing this, you are drawing the eye to the desired focal area and bringing less attention to the fact that the space is on the smaller side.

5. Beware of clutter

Less is more when it comes to creating a small space that is well-designed. You want to keep the general number of things you own to a minimum when you don't have a ton of space to work with. However, reducing clutter goes even further than just limiting the number of items you own. By having minimal clutter, it allows for more open space in your area, which helps for ease of movement. This principle does not only apply to floor space - it can be applied throughout the home, from the countertops to the amount of space you allow between furniture items.

6. Purge what you do not need

Following the above tip, one of the benefits of living in a smaller space is that it forces you to really ''edit down'' the belongings you have in your home. As a result, you end up getting rid of all the unnecessary items that are either impractical, useless or simply items that do not bring joy to your life. Decorating a small space requires a bit of stock take, otherwise you run the risk of overcrowding your space.

When decorating a small space, it's important to go with your gut. Don't try to work in anything that doesn't feel or look right. Ultimately, the goal is to take as much advantage of the space as you can, maximising its possibilities and really showing it off at its best.