Wall Decor for Small Spaces
There’s no wrong way to decorate your small home. The differences and diversity among our residences are what make them beautiful and interesting. Colorful or subdued, glossy or matte, patterned or minimal— anything can work if it’s done mindfully with the realities of your specific space in mind. But here are a few tips to keep at the ready if you’re struggling to crack the elusive code on how to best balance function and style within slim size constraints. (And there are 200+ tips in my book, Small Space Style.)
Decorate with Daily Essentials
When storage space is pushed to the brink, play around with displaying your more stylish homewares and essentials via walls and other such vertical / suspended formats. While this leaves fewer inches for traditionally framed photos or elaborate window coverings, it frees up an impressive amount of drawer + closet + cabinet + surface space for navigation and daily use. Food, cleaning supplies, kitchenwares, wardrobe accessories, pet gear, and so much more can be on full display and within easy reach, while adding an entirely unique look to your home.
Play with Scale
More often than not, I’ve found that standard frames and typical print sizes aren’t best suited for small spaces, where it can be particularly impactful to play with scale. For example, with furnishings and wall decor it’s often helpful to go larger than one might first consider, as this can help sidestep visual and physical overcrowding. For example, a gallery wall might make a compact room feel overwhelmed, and an apartment-sized living room set can sometimes make navigation tough, whereas one roomy couch and a clever accent table might do the trick while avoiding access lines and adding extra comfort.
In our new cottage we suspended a large quilt in the living space / office, where it makes a big impression without making the walls feel closed in. By contrast, we’ve placed tiny, 2” frames around the house to keep family photos in sight without requiring a “gallery wall” or consuming space that’s better used in other ways.
Extra small brass frames from Connected Goods
Be a Good Steward of the Planet
There’s no shortage of mass-produced, “fast” home decor, such as generic signage, faux antiques, and synthetic plants. What if we avoid all of that, and decorate with the planet in mind instead? Responsibly-sourced vintage and secondhand goods, foraged finds, and daily essentials are all fantastic ways to adorn your walls and surfaces without contributing to the degradation of our one magical shared home.
Get Help from Hardware
Hooks, racks, and multitasking wall units are a small space dweller’s best friend. Invest in a dozen s-hooks and you’ll realize just how valuable and versatile they can be in every space of your home.
