There is one thing almost all of us wish we had more of (besides an unlimited decorating budget, of course!)… SPACE! Even the most spacious homes have their challenging areas. For the majority of us, each square foot counts and we don’t have an inch to spare. The key to small space decorating is truly maximizing the functionality of every piece of furniture, especially since small rooms typically don’t boast lots of storage!

Here are some of our top small space tips:

-Multi-tasking furniture increases usable space! If you can fill an ottoman with toys and remotes, you probably earned a few extra feet that would otherwise be filled with baskets or piles of clutter.

- Think vertically. You can house a book collection on shelves instead of a low-lying bookcase, earning enough room for additional seating or storage. Arranging collections such as books in a creative way also makes a big impact without spending additional moolah on art!

-Invest in built-ins. Sometimes it pays to gain extra space with built-in storage. Adding a window seat in an awkward alcove or perching a bed between built-in shelves can actually create the focal point in an otherwise bland room.

-Hide clutter! Using curtain panels or drapes to hide under-the-counter clutter creates less confusion for the eye.

-Use appropriately sized furniture. Some items look great in the show room but are designed for large-scale rooms. Be careful to avoid oversized furniture, which will make small rooms feel smaller. Many stores (like Ikea) offer condo-sized furnishings such as sofas and dining sets that don’t overwhelm small spaces.

And if you still need a little inspiration, here are some rooms we think maximize style with minimum space.

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