• Fall Decor Shop
  • Blog
    • In the Home
    • Shop
    • Projects
    • In the Kitchen
    • Lifestyle
    • Design Work
    • Wedding
  • Shop
    • Shop my Home
      • Living Room
      • Bedroom
      • Office
      • Sitting Room
      • Entry
      • Outdoor Spaces
      • Primary Bath
      • Nursery
      • Powder Room
      • Beach House
      • Kitchen
    • Shop my Outfits
    • Shop Instagram
    • Where I Shop
    • Amazon Shop
    • Presets
    • Design Boards
    • Splurge or Save
  • Services
    • Interior E-Design & Styling
    • Branding & Design
    • Content Creation
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Contact

Meg Leonard | Design & Lifestyle Co.

In the Home

7 Tips for Small Space Living

July 7, 2021

I have learned a lot about small space living after 5 years of being in our city rowhome and am happy to share what has made our home complete of the perfect balance of comfort & function. Here are 7 tips to make the most of your own small space!

 

Strategically Choose Paint Colors

The first thing we did in our home was paint. We had an orange kitchen, green bedroom, and dark brown master bath. Not only did a fresh coat feel like a fresh start, but going with a brighter, softer color instantly made our spaces feel bigger.

That is not to say that you should just paint everything white! Sometimes, an accent wall can anchor a space and pull your eye through, which can make it look bigger. Try it on a bookshelf wall, for example.

 

Bring in Natural Elements

It took me years to get on the greenery train. I started with a faux fig tree and I immediately felt so much happier in our home. It just adds some life, real or not. Since then, I’ve incorporated house plants which purify the air as a win-win.

When it comes to small space living, maximize your space by displaying plants in corners, windowsills, on top of shelves, or hanging from the ceiling. 

Even if its small, it will make such an impact to making it feel like home!

 

Consider Window Treatments

You can create the illusion of higher ceilings with floor to ceiling treatments. Curtains with a vertical stripe help play up the height of the room and light & airy linen or cotton fabrics allow natural light to shine through and keep it bright. 

 

Properly Scale Furniture

You may think that maximizing the space may mean to buy a loveseat and some accent chairs, or a sofa to pair. I’ve actually learned that a sectional best utilizes a smaller space so there is no awkward empty corner. However, play it to your specific space! Just make sure that all furniture is to scale. Materials (fabric type, wood vs. glass) can also help with this.

If you are unsure of how to choose properly sized furniture, I wrote two helpful posts:

6 Tips to Select the Right Sofa here

6 Steps to Select the Right Coffee Table here

 

Maximize Storage with Functional Pieces

Thoughtful storage will be around forever. For example, utilize ottomans with removable tops to store items, which also doubles as extra seating for additional guests. 

Utilize open shelving! When it comes to decorative objects, they usually serve a visual purpose. However, you can find a lot of items that also serve a purpose to store items. I have a few posts that help with this:

7 Coffee Table Styling Tips here

8 Steps to Restyle Shelves Successfully here

Kitchen Shelf Styling here

 

Establish a Decor Style or Theme

Small spaces tend to be open spaces. This calls for an importance of a cohesive style as many rooms are visible at once. Everything does not have to match, but thinking about your shades and palettes, finishes, metals. If the eye can flow through nicely, it appears to be a welcoming, airy space.

 

Less is More

Lastly, you hear this with everything – however, it couldn’t be more true! It is so easy to overdo it and clutter up your space. If you’re feeling frustrated, scale back and simplify. Let things breathe and take the time to see how your space best aligns with your day-to-day function.

 

Pin this Post for Later

2 Comments
Share

You May Also Like

11 Powder Room Essentials

April 25, 2021

Home Refresh: Affordable Winter to Spring Decor

January 4, 2019

Round Coffee Table Design Boards

January 20, 2021
  • Wenndy
    May 17, 2020

    Hi! Thank you for this post. I’m in need of some serious guidance. I always believed that sectionals were not for sharing spaces, but I’m SO ready for something different.
    Can you describe how our furniture should be to scale? I’m not sure I understand. ?
    It should be noted that I have a 3-wall living room. Where the fourth wall should be is a hall that leads to a hall, the foyer, and the dining room. On the wall opposite the “fourth wall” are French doors. So that presents several challenges.
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Megan
      Wenndy
      May 18, 2020

      I’d have to see a photo but it sounds like you can put a sectional on one of the two walls that face that fourth wall, so everything remains open. As opposed to not facing that 4th wall and closing off the space. Hope that helps!

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

Previous Post
Beach House Build | Announcement & Floor Plan Walkthrough!
Next Post
TJX Weekly Finds: 7/8

Categories

  • Design Work
  • In the Home
  • In the Kitchen
  • Lifestyle
  • Projects
  • Shop
  • Wedding
behind the brand
Meet Meg

Meet Meg

I'm so happy you're here! With a high-taste design eye & a love of affordable finds, my goal is to help you achieve attainable, simple style to create a happy home. By day, I'm lucky to work with brands to foster their growth. Let's chat!

favorite retailers

Where I Shop

Brooke & Lou

Etsy

H&M Home

Pottery Barn

McGee & Co.

Overstock

Target

Terrain

Wayfair

World Market

Amazon Shop

Presets

Frequently Asked Questions

The MLCO Playlist

The ultimate playlist for a happy home, updated monthly – follow along!

Fall is slowly making its way into spaces over her Fall is slowly making its way into spaces over here ✨ Find pieces to complete your spaces with budget in mind over on the blog via the the latest affordable new arrivals + weekend in sales. Link in bio!
•
•
•
Fall home decor, console styling, console decor, target style, arch mirror, hall lamp, woven pumpkin, Halloween, neutral home 

Follow my shop @megleonardco on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit 
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4jl33
5 years of working remotely and I’d like to thin 5 years of working remotely and I’d like to think I know a thing or two about creating a workspace that is productive! From motivation, to organization - head to the blog to read all of my tips!
•
•
•
Home office, girl office, work from home, tack board, storage console, desk chair, stems, home decor 

Follow my shop @megleonardco on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKhome 
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4jauN
Brass proves to be the most timeless accent, makin Brass proves to be the most timeless accent, making it effortless to mix styles. On the blog, the latest Decor Edit is full of brass pieces for all styles and spaces - shop via the link in bio!
•
Shop the fall decor shop, my home and much more all from the link in bio! Message me with any questions.
•
•
•
fall entry, fall style, vase, brass leaf, frame, console style, entry mirror, fall home 

Follow my shop @megleonardco on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKsalealert #LTKfindsunder50 #LTKhome
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4j6xC #fallstyle #fallhomedecor #fallhome #fallhometour #homedecor #livingroomdecor #targethome #neutralhome #neutralhomedecor #smmakelifebeautiful #homeinspiration #homedecorinspo #consoletablestyling #brassdecor
All about the subtle Fall over here. I’m sharing All about the subtle Fall over here. I’m sharing a few staple pieces I’m loving at the moment - head to stories or the link in bio to view + shop!
•
•
•
Coffee table decor, book stand, vase, fall home decor, decorative pumpkin 

Follow my shop @megleonardco on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKSeasonal #LTKhome #LTKsalealert
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4iZVo
An instant gratification project for ya 😉 Light An instant gratification project for ya 😉 Lighting in here is tough but I hope you can see how taking an extra step with window treatments and sconces can add more to a space! Shop the shades & similar vintage candle sconces on @megleonardco via LTK from the link in bio!
•
•
•
Stripe Roman shades, vintage candle holders, hallway decor, neutral home 

Follow my shop @megleonardco on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKhome #LTKfindsunder50 #LTKstyletip
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4iXFn #homebeforeandafter #homedecor #vintagehomedecor #romanshades #potterybarnstyle #potterybarn #hometransformation #staircasedecor #windowtreatment
Proximity is key for a functional space ✨ Spent Proximity is key for a functional space ✨ Spent the weekend getting so many things in order - can’t wait to share soon! In the meantime, catch up on what was shared this week over on stories!
•
Shop my home, read the blog and much more all from the link in bio. Message me with any questions!
•
•
•
Bathroom, towels, wardrobe, vintage rug, runner rug, hardware, primary bedroom

Follow my shop @megleonardco on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKhome
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4iPls

 

  • Blog
  • Shop
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2023 • Meg Leonard Co.

 

Loading Comments...