40 Brilliant ideas for decorating small spaces

Decorating small spaces can be challenging especially if you have children. It's one thing to live in a small space by yourself, but living in a small space as a family without feeling like you're drowning in clutter is no small feat. But, it is totally possible. From using spaces above furniture or fixtures that you normally wouldn't use to attaching railings to walls, you won't believe all the possibilities. Get ready to be surprised and to put all these ideas to use so your small place looks amazing!

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Did you know, for example, that mirrors placed strategically can make a space look larger than it actually is? You'll just have to try it to see the crazy difference they can make. How about using your corners in a clever way, like putting a chair there that can act as a reading nook? And what if you give hooks a second look? You won't believe the amount of things you can do with them!

So, if you're tired of not having enough room to decorate like you really want to you don't want to miss these brilliant and innovative ideas for decorating small spaces. Not only are they doable, they're also lovely and most of them are truly affordable, which means you won't have to spend a fortune getting exactly what you want.

Use the space above the toilet.

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Whenever possible use the space above your toilet for storage. If you don't already have one, you can install a cute cabinet yourself.

Hat boxes minus the hats.

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Pretty stacked hat boxes look great and they work as storage pieces too. You could keep hats in them, but you could keep whatever you want in them as well.

Attach rails to your kitchen walls.

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You can use the rails to hang cups on and thus free up cabinet space for other things.

Hooks inside cabinets are kind of brilliant too.

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Why not hook it up inside your cabinets?

Luggage as accent pieces.

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Stacked luggage makes for great end tables and bonus storage.

Dual purpose furniture.

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What's better than a nice chair? A chair that turns into a mattress for guests.

Double duty the heck out of things.

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A coffee table with storage space is the way to go.

Size matters!

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A narrow desk gives you plenty of room to work, but doesn't take up much floor space.

Get creative with nooks.

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Perhaps you can't spare an entire room for an office, but clever use of a nook can serve as an office space.

Keep things off the floor.

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Small spaces start feeling messy when you keep too many things on the floor. Fortunately, you can opt to hang certain things on the wall.

Even big items work as wall hangings.

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If you don't have an out-of-sight space to store your bicycle, store it in plain site. It's out of the way, keeps things looking neat and is easy to grab when you want to use it.

Make the most out of your closets.

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If you can keep a dresser in your closet, do it! It frees up space in your bedroom.

Hang your pots.

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Cabinet space is at a premium in small kitchens. Hang your pots from a hanging pot rack and leave the cabinets for other items.

Or you could hang your pots and pans on hook rails.

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They work for cups as well as pots and pans.

Lid storage that won't make you flip your lid.

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Lids are impossible to store neatly, unless you have storage that was designed just for them.

Mirror, mirror on the wall.

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Mirrors placed strategically can really make a space look larger than it actually is.

Stash things under things.

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Cute ottomans can be tucked away under a table when not needed.

Create storage all up and around your bed.

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It's a brilliant use of space.

Ladders work for hanging storage.

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You can even use them as a drying rack for your laundry room.

DIY Diaper changing station.

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The top of a dresser works wonderfully as a diaper changing station.

Cubby up for cozy storage.

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Square shelving makes for great storage.

Find inexpensive ways to create storage.

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Furniture can be expensive, but a bit of paint and inexpensive wooden crates can look fantastic and give you more space to store things.

Use your corners.

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Why waste the space in a corner when you can put a chair in it instead?

Create a corner office.

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This little set up makes for a perfect tiny work space.

Nesting tables for the win.

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Pull them out when needed and tuck them away the rest of the time.

Go vertical!

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Consider getting a stackable washer and dryer to conserve space.

Use bookshelves for more than books.

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Bookshelves are great for decorative items, blankets and books.

Stacking plates and mugs and all of it.

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The more stackable kitchen items that you can get, the better.

Put things behind closed doors.

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You can use locker style storage to keep things looking neat.

Armoires are a great investment.

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Need more closet space? Get an armoire.

Embrace being a basket case.

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Baskets are beautiful and are so incredibly useful.

Low-tech wired storage.

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Wire baskets in the bathroom make it easy to find what you are looking for.

Install a ledge.

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Think about all the ways you can use a ledge! It can work for eating or as a desk or as a way to display things.

Go skinny in the kitchen.

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A tall skinny fridge could be perfect in a smaller kitchen.

Plates on display.

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Plate racks on your wall look good, keep plates accessible and free up cabinet space.

Get hooked on hooks.

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Hooks for clothes, towels, purses and whatever else you can hang.

Benches with shelves.

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Seating and storage? Yes, please.

Custom cabinets?!

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If you have the funds to invest in custom cabinets with killer storage, TREAT YO SELF!

Get a flip-up table.

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Get a table that you can mount to the wall and flip up or down according to your needs.

Light up your walls.

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Bedside lighting that takes up no floor space and doesn't need to go on a table. BRILLIANT!