How to create character in a small space

Living in a compact home? Even the smallest of spaces can be comfortable and practical if you use vintage and reclaimed finds wisely

In order to make a small home feel airy and comfortable rather than claustrophobic and cluttered, it’s essential to think creatively and make the most of every available inch where you can. Small spaces can bring out the best in us, challenging us to edit our possessions, seek out beautiful but functional finds and solve storage problems.

Furniture for snug rooms

Dainty designs Look for petite vintage furniture with small dimensions, such as mid-century designs by the likes of Ercol or G Plan. Tapered legs let you see the floor underneath, creating the illusion of extra space, while curved silhouettes help items to blend into corners.

Storage units Mid-century component storage systems are also ideal for small-space living as they incorporate shelves, display cabinets and fold-down desks, and can be adapted to your changing needs thanks to moveable elements.

Drop-leaf tables These may be unfashionable, but their nifty folding mechanism means you have three dining-table options.

Style tips

• Stackable stools such as vintage Tolix, designed for use in cafés, are a good choice for small kitchens, as they can be neatly stored in a cupboard or corner when not in use
• Little vintage sewing machine or mangle tables make great compact desks or dressing tables
• Built-in furniture like a banquette-style seat can let you squeeze a table into a tiny nook

Sourcebook

• Scaramanga: Vintage folding tables from India, stackable tubular steel and plywood chairs, and nifty mid-century pieces such as 1970s Formica-topped drop-leaf tables
• Lovely & Co: A huge range of vintage furniture in all shapes and sizes, including a good selection of petite mid-century pieces
• Ebtd: Mid-century furniture at affordable prices, including Scandi designs and Ercol pieces

Clever storage solutions

Look for hidden space The key to successfully styling any small home is to incorporate useful but good-looking storage and find space that’s easy to access. Look out for old luggage trunks or blanket boxes which make great coffee tables and double up as useful containers. Find extra space low down: slide bushel boxes on castors into alcoves or tuck pull-out wooden trays under your sofa.

Use the walls Folding chairs can look chic hung on rustic vintage hooks, while old coat racks and peg rails can provide useful extra storage space, especially if you hang baskets from them.

Old items, new ideas Many older items can cleverly lend themselves to new uses: wall-mounted vintage French bottle-drying racks make handy kitchen additions for mugs and utensils, while reclaimed industrial pigeonhole cabinets are useful for storing a host of small items, from DIY tools to gloves and scarves.

Style tips

• For an uncluttered look, conceal storage boxes under a desk or worktop behind curtains
• Fit cup hooks underneath kitchen shelves so you can hang mugs and small jugs, freeing up space elsewhere

Sourcebook

• Yesterhome: Traditional-style cast-iron shelf brackets made from original antique patterns
• English Salvage: Reclaimed industrial pigeonhole units
• Bushel Boxes ‘n’ Stuff: Old fruit and veg crates

Decorating and accessories

Window dressings Generally speaking, the more wall surface you can see, the bigger a room looks, so limit window dressings wherever possible and opt for simple, barely-there solutions. Always fit one large curtain instead of two smaller ones so you can slide it to one side when not in use, meaning more wall is visible, creating the illusion of space. Or, ideally, ditch curtains altogether and go for a fuss-free blind.

Mirrors are essential in smaller rooms, to bounce light into dark areas and visually extend the existing space. Try leaning an oversized antique mirror against the wall to instantly open up a cramped corner, or hang a cluster of vintage mirrors you’ve collected on a wall instead of artwork.

Pattern can be used in small spaces, but introduce it sparingly, in small doses, so as not to create a cluttered, busy look. It’s true that white and pale colours can brighten up small homes, which can be prone to feeling cramped and dark, but very dark colours can also work well, as they create a feeling of infinity – akin to gazing at the night sky.

Style tips

• Don’t overwhelm a small home with too many different colours. Stick to a limited palette and repeat the same colours in all your rooms for a cohesive feel and to visually extend your space
• If you’re changing the floors in your home, consider using the same flooring throughout, which can create an airy feeling

Sourcebook

• Rough Old Glass: Restored original English and continental antique mirrors
• Divinely Vintage: Preloved curtains in a huge range of styles and sizes
• Made by the Forge: Hand-forged traditional curtain poles

WORDS: ELLIE TENNANT