Small Space Display Tricks Packed With Personality
Don't let a small space deter you from displaying your favourite bits and bobs – be inspired by these clever ways to show off your style
The art of display in tiny interiors is a lesson well worth learning, as it can be used to trick the eye into thinking a space is larger, wider or more visually appealing than it would otherwise seem. Don’t just stick to pictures on the wall and books on shelves – get creative with all sorts of ideas, from how to use one-off vintage finds to making the most of mirrors, and be inspired by these simple tricks that will make your home feel lovelier and larger in an instant.
Think big
If a small interior has a low ceiling, maximise its potential to add a sense of intimacy and cosiness to the room with a large, oversized framed picture or artwork. The play on scale will add visual impact, particularly if the image is a graphic style, and will give a small room a large personality and an instant focal point.
If a small interior has a low ceiling, maximise its potential to add a sense of intimacy and cosiness to the room with a large, oversized framed picture or artwork. The play on scale will add visual impact, particularly if the image is a graphic style, and will give a small room a large personality and an instant focal point.
Swap artwork for mirrors
Mirrors are light reflective and make ethereal – as well as magically space expanding – alternatives to framed pictures and prints. And sometimes the displays with the most impact can be the simplest ones. Choose mirrors and you’ll appear to have a bigger room, too.
Composition-wise, a basic wall display works when there is a unifying element and a differing one, too. Hang similar styles together, but in a variety of sizes, to create a simple yet strong statement.
Mirrors are light reflective and make ethereal – as well as magically space expanding – alternatives to framed pictures and prints. And sometimes the displays with the most impact can be the simplest ones. Choose mirrors and you’ll appear to have a bigger room, too.
Composition-wise, a basic wall display works when there is a unifying element and a differing one, too. Hang similar styles together, but in a variety of sizes, to create a simple yet strong statement.
Custom build your own design
For sleek small living room storage, it’s worth considering commissioning a carpenter to make a bespoke unit. This will allow you to maximise the dimensions of the room and streamline any uneven walls.
A considered design will enable storage as well as space for a TV and other media kit to be factored in, too. And adjustable shelving will also allow you to vary the display to suit all shapes and sizes of items.
For sleek small living room storage, it’s worth considering commissioning a carpenter to make a bespoke unit. This will allow you to maximise the dimensions of the room and streamline any uneven walls.
A considered design will enable storage as well as space for a TV and other media kit to be factored in, too. And adjustable shelving will also allow you to vary the display to suit all shapes and sizes of items.
Put your best bits on display
Add a design statement to a tiny kitchen with a small but carefully chosen collection of decorative but useful objects too lovely to be stored in a cupboard.
For a strong aesthetic statement, try mixing pots, cups, jars and bowls that have similar decorative elements, such as pattern, colour or shape – another clever trick in a small space where anything too ‘busy’ could crowd it.
Antique, vintage or retro items, or those collected on travels to exotic destinations, will add bags of style to a tiny, characterless kitchen and make a meaningful and individual display, too.
Add a design statement to a tiny kitchen with a small but carefully chosen collection of decorative but useful objects too lovely to be stored in a cupboard.
For a strong aesthetic statement, try mixing pots, cups, jars and bowls that have similar decorative elements, such as pattern, colour or shape – another clever trick in a small space where anything too ‘busy’ could crowd it.
Antique, vintage or retro items, or those collected on travels to exotic destinations, will add bags of style to a tiny, characterless kitchen and make a meaningful and individual display, too.
Think practical
Appealing decorative detailing can be found on all sorts of everyday objects. When you don’t have the luxury of space, source items that offer practicality as well as aesthetic charm. This bedhead has been made from a pair of vintage carved, painted window shutters, adding a delightful touch of pattern and colour to a small, country-style bedroom.
The height of the shutters also offers a practical purpose, adding the illusion of vertical space in a room with a low ceiling.
Appealing decorative detailing can be found on all sorts of everyday objects. When you don’t have the luxury of space, source items that offer practicality as well as aesthetic charm. This bedhead has been made from a pair of vintage carved, painted window shutters, adding a delightful touch of pattern and colour to a small, country-style bedroom.
The height of the shutters also offers a practical purpose, adding the illusion of vertical space in a room with a low ceiling.
Create a focal point
If a compact interior doesn’t have a fireplace or other obvious focal point, create one using slimline picture shelves and a series of favourite artworks.
Keep to a restrained palette of colours for visual simplicity, but try a variety of sizes and styles of frames and move the pictures around on a regular basis for an instant visual update.
The ‘unfixed’ element introduced by using the shelf rather than hooks on the wall will also create a sense of fluidity in a tiny interior – rigidity can feel a little confining.
If a compact interior doesn’t have a fireplace or other obvious focal point, create one using slimline picture shelves and a series of favourite artworks.
Keep to a restrained palette of colours for visual simplicity, but try a variety of sizes and styles of frames and move the pictures around on a regular basis for an instant visual update.
The ‘unfixed’ element introduced by using the shelf rather than hooks on the wall will also create a sense of fluidity in a tiny interior – rigidity can feel a little confining.
Make a cameo with your curios
Displaying an attractive collection of personal objects is ideal for stamping a large dash of personality onto a small interior. For best results, and to create a sense of unity rather than clutter, stick to one category, such as ceramics, vintage cars or antique glassware, and display on a mantelpiece or inset shelving. Experiment with arrangements of pieces in similar tones and shapes but of different sizes for maximum visual interest.
Displaying an attractive collection of personal objects is ideal for stamping a large dash of personality onto a small interior. For best results, and to create a sense of unity rather than clutter, stick to one category, such as ceramics, vintage cars or antique glassware, and display on a mantelpiece or inset shelving. Experiment with arrangements of pieces in similar tones and shapes but of different sizes for maximum visual interest.
Embrace the decorative charm of ordinary objects
Everyday objects often have a charming visual aesthetic that can be used to great effect in small homes – even if the reason is necessity.
If you don’t have a utility room, a kitchen windowsill and neat shelving unit can be transformed into an impromptu storage and display space. Simply create an arrangement of objects, such as baskets, jugs, brushes and brooms, that are both useful and beautiful.
Seek out functional items that please the eye – and your scheme. Here, even the dullest objects gain a sense of style when part of a colour-coordinated group.
Everyday objects often have a charming visual aesthetic that can be used to great effect in small homes – even if the reason is necessity.
If you don’t have a utility room, a kitchen windowsill and neat shelving unit can be transformed into an impromptu storage and display space. Simply create an arrangement of objects, such as baskets, jugs, brushes and brooms, that are both useful and beautiful.
Seek out functional items that please the eye – and your scheme. Here, even the dullest objects gain a sense of style when part of a colour-coordinated group.
Repeat, repeat, repeat
Repetition is a great way of adding a strong display element to a small space, since it swerves any sense of things looking cluttered.
A series of prints of the same dimensions can add a dash of contemporary drama and structure to a room scheme when displayed in a grid. Opt for deep black frames for additional impact.
Try adding a pair of matching side tables and lamps at either end of the sofa to further emphasise the idea of repetition.
TELL US
What’s your approach to accessorising a small space: minimal or maximal? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
MORE
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Live Big in a Small House: 25 Tricks to Expand Your Space
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Repetition is a great way of adding a strong display element to a small space, since it swerves any sense of things looking cluttered.
A series of prints of the same dimensions can add a dash of contemporary drama and structure to a room scheme when displayed in a grid. Opt for deep black frames for additional impact.
Try adding a pair of matching side tables and lamps at either end of the sofa to further emphasise the idea of repetition.
TELL US
What’s your approach to accessorising a small space: minimal or maximal? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
MORE
Floating Shelves: 8 Brilliant Ideas for Walls of All Shapes and Sizes
Live Big in a Small House: 25 Tricks to Expand Your Space
Mental Tricks to Help You Outsmart Your Small Space
Making the most of every bit of space in a small interior often means combining display with storage. Custom-built shelving can make a feature out of otherwise redundant alcoves and nooks, plus the narrow spaces around doorways. Use these areas to display a collection of white china and other pretty kitchen pieces.