5 Tips to decorate a small house

Decorating a small house can be challenging, but with some little tricks you can create a comfy environment that will make you forget about its size.

The market is increasingly embracing small houses these days. Studios and one-bedroom apartments are the most common cuts in big cities, and even new construction seems geared towards smaller spaces.

Living in a small house saves you money on purchases and rentals, but also helps the environment, since you'll consume less. But there's only so much space, so every square centimeter counts and must be carefully optimized.

How to decorate a small house

Contrary to what one might think, small houses have a lot of potential. Small tweaks can make the space more functional and welcoming, keeping with the latest housing trends.

Here are five tips for decorating a small house without sacrificing comfort or style.

#1 Focus on light

Light makes a huge difference in how we perceive space For instance, bright rooms look much larger than they really are.

The first thing you should do is make the most of natural light. A valuable resource for mental and physical well-being, as well as for energy efficiency, this is one of the most sought-after features for those seeking their ideal home. Ideally, you should choose light fabrics with bright colors for curtains, light-colored floors and finishes, and furniture that doesn't block existing openings.

Good artificial lighting is also important where natural light isn't enough. The choice of high-quality wall lamps and spotlights and the use of dimmers to adjust the brightness are essential to creating a functional and welcoming environment at any time of the day.

#2 Opt for neutral colors

Just like light, the choice of colors can make a big difference in enhancing space in a small house.

Light colors are known for "expanding" a room. In particular, you can never go wrong with white. Besides being adaptable to any furniture style, it gives a lot of brightness, which can be further enhanced with some contrasting accent colors, such as yellow.

On the other hand, neutral colors like beige, cream, gray, and light taupe will create a relaxing and very pleasant environment.

Alternately, you can play with stronger colors, though sparingly and never in dark tones. Even horizontal or vertical striped wallpaper creates the illusion of bigger spaces in height and width.

Whatever colors you choose, make sure they're all the same gradient; this way, your eyes won't distinguish the boundaries between individual spaces, and your house will immediately appear bigger.

#3 Prefer open space solutions

One of the best ways to decorate a small house is to create one big open space. Eliminating internal doors and walls will fill the house with light, making it look larger.

This type of layout requires careful selection of furniture pieces, as they can help define the different areas of the open space.

On the other hand, if you like keeping the rooms separate, you can consider replacing the concrete walls with glass ones (where possible), which let light in, brightening the space and adding a strong visual and aesthetic impact.

#4 Use mirrors and reflective surfaces

Mirrors and reflective surfaces are great for visually enlarging a room and making it look bigger.

When used creatively, mirrors can create amazing optical illusions and give a room personality. For example, you could use full-wall compositions or place freestanding mirrors behind lamps to double the light.

Wardrobes with mirrored doors are always a classic choice, integrating into different styles and often serving as decorative elements while giving the illusion of a larger room.

More generally, reflective surfaces like light floors, glass coffee tables, or elements made from glossy materials, amplify the light in a room, making it look bigger and airier.

#5 Take advantage of heights

Height is often underestimated, but it's a valuable resource to enhance a small house. Playing with verticality gives you extra space you can use in various ways.

Full wall cabinets and bridge furniture are popular storage solutions in small spaces, as are false ceilings, which can be turned into convenient storage spaces.

Depending on the height, you might be able to build a mezzanine, perhaps for that small study everyone needs now that remote working is a reality.

And even if your house isn't that tall, you can still use tricks like elevated beds with hidden linen containers, space-saving stairs, and footstools or coffee tables with hidden compartments.