Small home design is no easy task when you’re faced with cramped rooms, tiny closets and narrow bathrooms. It becomes a lot harder to figure out where everything should go.

Don’t fret, though — there are plenty of ways to make the most of modest areas. Miles Kimball has put together five design ideas for small spaces, along with affordable products and unique finds to turn these ideas into your reality. Read on to learn why we’ve been chosen by families to decorate and furnish their homes since 1935.

Small Home Design Tips & Tricks

1) Keep the Floor Clear

When there isn’t a lot of space to begin with, you need to keep as much of the floor clear as possible. You can limit the amount of furniture in the room and place large objects around the perimeter instead of in the center.

If the room requires larger items, such as shelves, think vertically instead of horizontally. Over-door storage provides a convenient place to hang coats, handbags, books and food containers without using a single inch of floor space. Our Over-the-Door Storage Racks and Over-the-Door Hanger Set are great solutions, creating valuable back-of-door storage space.

2) Add Extra Lighting

Good lighting will make a space feel brighter, larger and more inviting. You can allow in as much natural light as possible through a window or add light fixtures to brighten up a space. Table and floor lamps, such as our Read Anywhere Lamp, provide a warm glow. If you don’t have the floor space for a lamp, consider pendant lights, sconces or other hanging and wall lights.

3) Use Multifunctional Furniture Designed for Small Spaces

Compact furniture is a great way to save floor space, especially if the furniture performs more than one function. Shop for multipurpose furniture, such as ottomans with storage compartments or kids’ chairs that double as footstools. Folding furniture and rolling furniture, like our Tray Table With Wheels, also make great space-saving solutions. When not in use, this furniture can easily be moved or stored, freeing up room for other activities.

4) Design with Mirrors

Mirrors are great for small spaces, reflecting natural and artificial light around the room. Not only does this make the room brighter, but it also creates the illusion of more space. You can hang one large mirror or several smaller mirrors to achieve a noteworthy effect. High-shine reflective materials like glossy tiles, lacquered white wall paint and polished marble countertops achieve a similar effect.

5) Design With Plants and Flowers

Greenery is one of the best ways to add beauty, liveliness and style to a space. A few plants in a space will make you feel as a good inside as you do relaxing outside on a summer day. Just be careful not to overcrowd the space with plants, as this will make a small space feel cramped.

If you lack a green thumb and are worried about tending to your plants, artificial hanging flower baskets are another lovely option. Faux indoor plants, such as the Mysterious Air Fern^®, OakRidge™ Fully Assembled Spider Basket, OakRidge™ Artificial Pothos Hanging Basket Planter and OakRidge™ False Fern Hanging Planter Basket, offer natural-looking charm without needing water or sunlight.

Make sure to check out the rest of our blog for more home tips and tricks!