It’s no secret there’s been a huge movement toward living with less…less space, less stuff, less clutter. Along with that comes the challenge of how to decorate in a way that’s going to provide you and your family the comfort and convenience you deserve. Surprisingly, there’s very little compromising you need to make when living in a small space, providing you plan accordingly and make smart purchases, and after living in an RV for the past three months I think I can safely say I know a little about living small :).
Let’s start with the basics. With a small space, it’s easy to get carried away and create more than one focal point. Resist that urge. If your space already has a built-in focal point, like a fireplace, let it shine. But what if you have a large piece of furniture that you need for storage (like the oldie but goodie armoires I talked about last week), but it’s competing with the fireplace. Paint it! But not just any color, of course. Paint it the same color as the wall, and it will almost disappear. Problem solved.
If you’re like me, you like to kick your feet up while watching tv, reading, or just socializing, but maybe you don’t have room for a recliner. Try using an ottoman as a cocktail table. Furniture pieces that provide double duty are worth their weight in gold!
Give your small space a sense of height by painting the walls (or use wallpaper) in a vertical stripe design. You can also add drapes and hang them as high as possible and let them gently touch the floor.
You may not have an expansive backyard, but perhaps you have a balcony. Try expanding your space by creating an inviting outdoor area by adding some small furnishings, greenery and accessories. When the doors are open, this space will become part of the living area.
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Using color effectively is important to help unify a small house or apartment. Choose a main color and use it in some way in each room. It could be the dominant color in one room, a secondary color in another, an accent color in another room, and so on.
Mirrors are the workhorses of small spaces. They’re a great way to visually expand a space and add light, but placement is key. Try it in different places before deciding, and make sure it’s reflecting something pleasing.
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If you are placing a chair or small sofa in a tight corner, use one with rounded arms so it’s easier to get around and softens the sharpness of the corner. If that’s not possible, make sure it’s not a bulky piece that will overpower the space.
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It may seem counterintuitive, but large art works perfectly for a small space. A gallery wall with several prints or paintings has the effect of feeling busy and cluttered, but one large important piece gives the space depth and importance.
Lastly, keep accessories to a minimum, and remember the ‘cantaloupe’ rule. Accessories smaller than a cantaloupe tend to add visual clutter to a space. Don’t feel because your room is small, your accessories need to be also, because more often than not the opposite is true.
In other news…
This post was supposed to be published on Saturday morning, and in fact it was, but when I looked at it all the photos were gone, so I removed it. Not only that, but almost all the photos in all my posts were gone!
What happened was I cancelled Househoneys a few days ago, and unbeknownst to me when I did that, since all my photos were ‘referencing’ Househoneys, WordPress no longer had a source for them any more.
The issue is when one does a migration, most photos don’t show up in the media library, just within the posts. Now I have to figure out a way to get the photos in the library so when Househoneys is deleted again it won’t happen again. I have a week to figure it out, and yes, I’m going to have a pro do it.
We arrived in Panama City today, after having spent a week just an hour west near Destin.
The highlight of this area for us has without a doubt been a cute little town called Seaside. My blog buddy Emily mentioned it in one of her posts a couple of weeks ago and it looked like my kind of place.
And I was right.
The first time we went was late in the day, so we got to see what everything looked like at night. This cute little church is the most popular spot to have a wedding in Walton County, and I think we can understand why.
(If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, my apologies for the tiny pic. For some reason cell pics aren’t displaying right except on laptops).
A couple of days later we biked our way to Seaside, and stopped to take a picture of this covered bridge. I have lots more photos to share, but I’ll save them for when I get home in a couple of weeks, along with tales of our adventures and misadventures…
If you’ve been following along, you know that the posts I’ve been publishing for the last two months have been pre-scheduled’ and I’ve added in a snippet or two at the end about our current travels. This post is the last of the pre-scheduled ones, and depending on the wifi connection, I may not be able to post until after we return home in a couple of weeks. Happy Spring!
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
You know I prefer small spaces. I think they’re so much easier to decorate.
Brenda
Donna says
❤️The covered bridge (and the chic chick in it)! Both are my favs. Thinking of outing and tossing it all to move to a small space free of clutter!
AnnMarie says
Great ideas for small spaces! I live in a huge house with small, cut up rooms so these ideas work. That last picture is sweet…..like a relaxed lady on vacation!
Debbie - MountainMama says
You look fab my friend!!!! Great inspiration pix – I truly love small cozy homes, it’s what I’m most drawn to. Feels like home to me!!!
Emily says
Oh I love this post Doreen, so much inspiration. I have small spaces in my home and the basic look stays the same but it’s fun changing the accessories to get the cozy looks I love. Great pics with ideas for me, thanks. So glad you are enjoying your trip and it’s great to know you were inspired to visit my beach playground in Seaside. My favorite place to go on vacation! Thanks for the shout out too! Wish I could have joined you in PCB, FL. Destin to Gulf Shores, AL, anywhere and I am in paradise…………
Emily says
Doreen, I forgot to mention how great the walking and biking trails are there, I see you enjoyed the bridge. You look fabulous…………Now you have me wanting to go to the beach. Hope you don’t get caught up in the spring-break crowd……….
denise says
Wonderful post! I want my own little room in my next home. So cozy! ‘All I want is a room somewhere. Far away from the cold night air. With one enormous chair. Oh, wouldn’t it be loverly?’ xxDenise
tammy j says
you’re the only person I know who can lose weight on a vacation.
lookin’ good there!
and of course I loved this post.
my art work is huge compared to my space and it all works beautifully.
busy little things make my eyes tired. 🙂
xoxo
see you back home. take care! ♥
Jemma says
So good to see you looking so happy and relaxed, and the bridge is beautiful.
I am sorry to hear about the trouble with the photos transferring to your new blog, but you are so wise to get a professional to assist.
We have had torrential rains, but they seemed to have passed through and my garden survived just fine.
Take care and enjoy your Sunday!
Jemma
Cathy, 1929 Charmer Cottage says
Hope your having fun! Enjoy your travels!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
Those are great ideas for small spaces! And I hope you’ll share more about Seaside later!
Jane says
I love your tips, Doreen, especially having large pieces of furniture match your wall color. Very clever and true!
I think my rooms are very small. That’s okay now that its just means The Husband. When we have company it’s tough. I would love to decorate more minimally but I love what I have and even whenI switch things out, its like a whole new room. Grouping things in odd numbers and using trays and baskets helps consolidate small pieces and it looks more in control.
I think its cool that you have your posts lined up. I could definitely benefit from that as I have so many other things I need to do on my commuter and then there are days where I simply don’t want to be near it! I may try this.
Safe travels, my friend!
Jane
rue says
The adventures of Doreen… I can’t wait for the wrap up! I hope you enjoy the last couple of weeks 🙂
Small spaces… I went from almost 3000 sq. feet to 1800… I know really well how hard it is to minimize. My mother still says my house looks like an antique store LOL
hugs to you,
rue
Linda says
Great tips! I prefer smaller, cozy spaces myself. I’m also trying to get rid of extra “stuff” though I am by no means a minimalist. Some how we have just accumulated so much stuff over the years. I really like the idea of large furniture matching the walls. I love the white trunk in one of your photos and I am actually hunting for one of those!
I am also hoping to redesign my blog but have been so busy that it has taken a bit of a back seat for now. I was just reading your post on the experiences you had with yours. Oh my goodness! I had no idea it could be such a hassle! Thanks for the heads up!
Linda
kelly says
I love the suggestions you gave about designing in small spaces. I’ve never heard of the cantaloupe rule! Love it! I agree with it too. Now, I’m looking around my house for that. ha ha! You are quite the traveler! Do you miss home or are you still loving it all? I’m a bit of a homebody so I kind of look forward to coming back home after about a week. It sounds like you have been able to go to some fun places!
Cecilia says
Good ideas for small spaces. Love the large art tip and the “cantaloupe” tip.
I’ll chime in with the rest of the ladies – you look great. Hope you have a great trip back home!
Vicky Hunt says
Awesome post Doreen! I don’t know how I missed the name change to your blog but it it great! It looks awesome too. I often wish for bigger spaces but I have been blessed with smaller spaces and that is OK by me. Less to clean! Love the photos you shared…especially the one of you near the covered bridge. Looking lovely as always! Have a beautiful week.
Hugs, Vicky
SharonFromMichigan says
I’m liking your new blog, although I have to admit that I’m so used to typing in house honeys to get to you. I always forget that tip about painting furniture pieces that you want to “disappear” the same color as the walls. I’ll have to remember that when I start giving our bedroom it’s much needed facelift. You look marvelous under the covered bridge. (Reminds me of my favorite movie Bridges of Madison County)! Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Sue says
I checked the church photo on my mobile and it displays great. I wish you the best for transferring all the photos and crossing my fingers. Love all the examples for small spaces today and the tip to paint a large piece the same color as the walls is excellent.
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
I love all of your tips on this Doreen. I’ve been loving those “Tiny Houses” shows on HGTV – and it amazes me how they come up with wonderful multipurpose built-ins and other ideas to live efficiently in such a small space. However, at this stage of life I cannot imagine living in something that’s only 900 square feet – my scrapbooks alone could take up that kind of space! Lol!! 😉 I think the ottoman coffee table and mirrors are my favorite ideas for helping small spaces.
I love your regular travel updates. Seaside looks positively charming!! That church – swoon! I can’t wait to see more about your journeys when you get back. 🙂
Hope you continue having lots of fun and sun – and most of all safe travels my Friend. xoxo
Amy says
Your post is making me want to downsize! All of those pics are so appealing. When we lived in the city, we had a small terrace, and of course I “decorated” it. I loved sitting out there. Glad you are enjoying the leg of your trip. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures, and your misadventures even more!
Feral Turtle says
It is so nice to see you are enjoying your trip!! You always find such gorgeous inspiration pictures Doreen. One of the pluses of living in a small place is cleaning. I remember my apartment and think of how quickly I could clean up when someone popped by. I usually had about 5 minutes from when they hit the buzzer to when they got to the door….just enough time to throw everything into a cupboard or under the bed! Cheers.
Julie says
Sounds like you are having a good time traveling around! Enjoy and have fun.
Julie
handmade by amalia says
I enjoyed this post. So many great tips and gorgeous eye candy to go with them. I especially liked the balconies, amazing what can be achieved with a small space and a little inspiration.
Amalia
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Mary-the boondocks blog says
Doreen, you look like you’re having a great time down there. And of course Draper Lake reminded me of Don Draper. Well, I hope all gets straightened out with your blog and you don’t lose any of your photos. Happy Spring!
Red Rose Alley says
Ooooo, these ideas for small spaces are great! Those balconies are so charming. I really enjoyed browsing through these pics because when we downsized, we moved into a much smaller home…….and the rooms are small. I need some clever ideas. Don’t you look cute in this picture wearing denim. : )
It sounds like you’re still having a great time traveling. Be safe and enjoy the time away. Sounds good to me right now.
~Sheri
Vera says
Doreen,
I hope when you return home you will do a recap post of all your vacation stops with tons of photos. I really think all your small space examples are excellent inspirational ideas. I’ve always wanted a office in a closet but have no closets to spare – our house was built in 1934 and closets weren’t that important back then I guess. Thanks for your visit to my post I enjoyed your comment.
Dewena says
Whenever did you have the time to work up all these fabulous posts, Doreen? Lots of work went into them, really good ideas. Did you scream when your pictures disappeared? I would have. Hope your tech expert gets it all fixed.
Travel home safely,
Dewena
Cindi says
I love this post and as you know, I live in a small space.
I do the mirror thing, to reflect light and make my space seem larger
and I do the ottoman thing too but I picked up some tips that I’m haven’t been doing but will now!
Thank you!
xoxo