Dabbieri Blog

How to Maximize Small Spaces with Design

Oltre Res Tile by Daltile

Whether you live in an apartment and are looking for ways to make the most out of your space or you reside in a home with small spaces that you want to feel much larger than they are, getting creative with your interior design is an easy way to make even the smallest of spaces feel like you have room to spare. Depending on the kind of space you’re looking to spruce up or re-design, there are different options for maximizing small spaces with your design. From color schemes to storage spaces and beyond, we’ve compiled a short guide to help you create small spaces that feel larger to allow more room for life. 

Light & Bright Color Palette

Ardeth Mink luxury vinyl by Dabbieri H2O

One of the easiest ways to make any space feel larger is to stick with lighter colors, especially shades that are neutral and work well together. For the walls, consider colors like white, cream, or beige, and use darker neutral shades in smaller quantities to create dimension. The more natural light a space has, oftentimes the bigger it will feel, so if you have dark floors consider adding a large, light-colored area rug. And if you’re looking to take on a bigger project, consider upgrading your flooring to a lighter hardwood or a similarly colored tile.

Creative Storage Solutions

Porcelain tile in Terrane Gray by Emser Tile 

Getting creative with your storage solutions is another excellent way to make a small space feel larger. Building storage into open spaces within the room, like floating shelves in the corner or even an entire shelving structure built into the doorway, makes it easy to keep your room from feeling or looking cluttered. It also makes it so you can stay organized without taking up more of your limited ground space. If you have an unusual space or need something a little more custom, we suggest looking into Bespoke furniture, which is oftentimes one of a kind and designed to fit your unique needs. 

Choose the Right Furniture. 

Lerwick in Suede by Dabbieri

It may sound counterintuitive to choose larger furniture pieces for a small space but doing so actually helps to make the space appear larger. If you opt for a handful of smaller pieces, it can make your space feel cluttered and visually overwhelming. Choosing a couple of larger pieces, like a couch and a chair in a smaller living room, or a large bed and one or two small nightstands can help to make the space feel more open, and thus appear bigger than it is. 

Of course, implementing a combination of these tactics will bring you the best results for maximizing your small space with design choices. The key is to look at your unique space and decide how these suggestions can best be used to accomplish your design and home vision. 

Designing with Understated Florals

From the walls of ancient European castles to the pillows that don your living room couch, floral print is a long-used staple by amateur and professional interior designers alike. Flowers have always been a popular choice in décor, both in their mortal state as living centerpieces and in their immortal state through patterns, prints, and art. It’s no secret that florals are a timeless design staple, but that doesn’t mean designing with them is always an easy task. 

With so many patterns and flowers to choose from, there’s sure to be a floral inclusion to match your style and décor. However, knowing how to bring flowers into your interior design in a classy, understated way is an art that can be hard to perfect. With that in mind, we’ve created a short guide to utilizing florals in a way that is timeless and fits your unique taste. 

Floral Wallpaper & Accent Walls

Emser Tile Hollywood Oak Porcelain Tile       

Wallpaper is an excellent way to include florals in an understated fashion. If you’re creating an entire accent wall but don’t want to feel overwhelmed by your floral pattern, consider choosing a neutral or monochromatic color scheme. Colors like gray, white, and beige are perfect for a pattern that adds dimension but doesn’t take away from the rest of the room. If you’re planning to do a smaller area, like a wall panel or door, using brighter colors or a bolder pattern can be a nice way to bring in florals without it feeling overpowering in your space. 

Living Flowers & Plants. 

Daltile Trellis Oak Res Tile                                                                                           

If you’re not looking to take on a major project to bring in an element of understated florals, one of the easiest things you can do is utilize living flowers and plants. Adding a live bouquet to your kitchen table, or even dried flowers like lavender or eucalyptus to your bathroom or shower will bring in the soft, understated feminine feel you desire. If you don’t want the upkeep of a living plant or the responsibility of replacing wilted bouquets, you can always utilize artificial flowers in their place. 

Floral Décor & Furniture. 

Graber Roman Shades

Another easy way to incorporate understated florals is through artwork, décor, and furniture. If you’re looking for the most simple or understated elements, consider things like floral pillows, art prints, wall hangings, or even throw blankets that you can easily switch out as you see fit. However, if you’re hoping for something more permanent or a larger inclusion of elegant florals, you can’t go wrong with a muted-tone floral rug or printed window shades that match the color scheme of your space. These floral elements are more of a commitment than something like a pillow, but they make a larger impression without going too far. 

While there are endless ways to incorporate understated florals into your home design, what you choose is entirely up to you. Our recommendation is to get creative with your designs and be sure to follow your style and taste above all else.