I’m sure I’m not alone in envying how tiny homeowners are able to bring so much life and ingenuity to houses smaller than an NYC studio apartment. Whether you’re a tiny-living convert or just looking for ways to maximize the square footage at your disposal, it’s hard not to be impressed by how creative these homeowners are when decorating their abodes.
Space-efficient decor comes in all different shapes, styles, and — yes — sizes. It’s what you do with these items that will ultimately make or break the space overall. And the tiny house decorating ideas below will help steer you in the right direction!
Tiny House Decorating Ideas:
1. Fold-Down Dining Table
How do you create a living space that serves multiple functions at once? By thinking outside of the box and investing in convertible furniture.
This folding, wall-mounted tabletop is a great solution to any tight space. On top of functioning as a dining table, desk, or extra kitchen countertop, it folds down flush with the wall when not in use. So you can enjoy the convenience of a regular table without any of the lost floor space.
2. Sliding Barn Door
Most tiny homes feature open-concept floor plans. After all, there’s just not enough room for a bunch of walls and doorways. But you still need at least one door for the bathroom!
A sliding barn door is a great alternative to a regular hinged door. This style of door takes up very little space — it only sticks out from the wall by a few inches. And, despite the name, you can choose from all different colors and finishes to suit your existing home decor.
3. Under-Stair Cubbies
Few homes (of any size) have enough built-in storage space. No matter how minimalist you think your life is, storage is a must-have in any tiny home or camper van.
If your home features a traditional staircase leading up to the loft or second floor, consider filling the space underneath with versatile storage cubbies. Fill the space with crates, cupboards, and drawers to hold your household essentials. You can even include a closet rod to hang coats and other attire.
4. Pull-Out Desk
Remote work often goes hand-in-hand with living in a tiny home. Even if you still commute back and forth to a public office, having a dedicated home workspace can keep your life nice and organized.
This pull-out desk provides the perfect location to be productive without sacrificing any usable square footage. Once you’ve “clocked out” for the day, just push the desk back into its hiding spot, kick back, and relax.
5. Breakfast Bar
You can never have too much counter space. This built-in breakfast bar doubles as a place to eat meals as well as an extended countertop for your tiny kitchen.
It’s important to pair this countertop idea with seating that can easily be tucked out of the way. Opt for low-profile chairs like the ones featured in this example. Or invest in bench seating that can be stored underneath the breakfast bar with zero overhang.
6. Wall Overlay
Many of the best tiny house decorating ideas offer visual intrigue without taking up any space. Installing a wall overlay in your home is just one great example of this trend!
Wall overlays can range from simple wallpaper to textured panels. Shiplap is a popular style of wall overlay that pairs perfectly with the rustic-inspired decor. You can also mimic the look of exposed brick or modern wood paneling.
7. Built-In Sectional
Sofas take up a lot of floor space. Even loveseats can be deceptively bulky! Since every inch counts when furnishing a tiny home, consider going with a built-in sofa rather than a standalone one.
With a built-in sofa, you can customize your living room seating to meet the precise measurements of your home. Use pillows and bolsters to add comfort without eating up valuable space.
8. Banquette Seating
The concept of a folding dining table is a no-brainer in any small home. But that doesn’t answer the question of where to sit during meals.
This banquette seating setup works as a semi-formal dining area and relaxing living room. Just raise or drop the table in the middle to suit the moment.
9. Light Neutrals
Decorating your tiny house isn’t just about how the space physically functions. You also need to pay attention to how your furniture and decor make the space feel.
A light, neutral color palette is the best option for many tiny homes. Fill your home with whites, creams, and tans paired with natural elements like wood and potted plants. This color scheme adds a bright, airy atmosphere to the space. It can even create the illusion of more square footage!
10. Kitchen Island Partition
Nearly everyone would own a kitchen island if their home layout allowed. Believe it or not, you can have a kitchen island in a tiny house. And it can be multi-purpose.
This sleek kitchen island juggles several jobs without breaking a sweat! On top of naturally dividing the kitchen and living room, it also houses a small oven, dining area, extra counter space, and a small amount of storage.
11. Storage Drawers
You should never, ever pass up the opportunity to add more storage to your home. This is even more true for those living in tiny homes or campers. So it should be no surprise how many tiny house furnishing ideas feature some type of built-in storage.
Just think of how much-wasted space sits underneath a sofa or raised bed frame. The logical solution is to fill that space with storage drawers that can hold bedding, clothing, and other household essentials.
12. Bright Backsplash
Again, the best tiny home decor ideas take up no space at all. If your kitchen or bathroom is missing that special something, the answer could be a bright, vibrant backsplash.
Backsplash tiles don’t just look beautiful. They also protect the wall behind them from water damage and stains. So before you paint your kitchen or bathroom wall, consider adorning it with your favorite backsplash pattern instead.
13. Medicine Cabinet
Mirrors make great decor for any small room as they practically double the amount of available light. Medicine cabinets only stick out a few extra inches and offer convenient storage for miscellaneous toiletries or pantry items.
A medicine cabinet is a functional alternative to a standard vanity mirror. But the bathroom isn’t the only place this item can be hung. Before hanging any mirror in your tiny home, think about whether you would be better off installing a medicine cabinet in its place.
14. Negative Space
Negative space, areas where there is nothing but open air, are incredibly important in home design. When it comes to designing a tiny house, visual negative space counteracts the limited physical space.
In this room setup, you can see negative space under the desk, inside the coffee table, and even within the storage shelves. However, these are just examples. There are plenty of creative ways to include negative space in your own home!
15. Compact Fixtures
There are many household fixtures that you can’t go without. What you can do, though, is invest in compact versions to save on space!
This design is a great example of shrinking your home’s necessities to fit a fully functional bathroom into a very small space. At the end of the day, a small sink works just as well as a full-size one. The same is true for a compact toilet or bathtub.
16. Mini Loft
Lofts are extremely commonplace in tiny house design. It’s often the only way to include a second floor in one of these homes. Even if you don’t have the vertical space for a full-scale loft, adding a miniature loft to your home can make the space more functional.
A mini loft can be used to separate the living space without a physical partition. It can also offer a convenient spot for built-in cupboards or drawers.
17. Nesting Furniture
Do you ever wish you could make your furniture disappear when you aren’t using it? Well, nesting furniture is the best way to make that dream a reality.
Nesting furniture comes in countless styles. One of the most common examples is a seat that slides underneath the accompanying table or desk. You can also find nesting nightstands, coffee tables, and more.
18. Statement Lighting
Take a page from the modern design movement and decorate your tiny home with functional items only. While this can take on many forms, statement light fixtures are one of the most practical examples.
Your home needs overhead light. So instead of opting for the simplest fixtures available, take time to find a set of unique lights that suit your personal style. This strategy can completely transform your home’s aesthetic without actually adding to the number of items you own.
19. Color Blocking
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One of the greatest challenges of tiny house design is figuring out how to differentiate one area of your home from another. If you’re willing to embrace color in your interior design, color blocking is the answer.
Selecting a signature color for each “room” of your home will visually divide the space without any physical changes. And you don’t just need to paint the walls. You can incorporate these colors in your cabinetry, upholstery, and anywhere else you can imagine.
20. Murphy Bed
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A Murphy bed is a bed frame that folds up against the wall when not in use. Murphy beds can be standalone or installed within a built-in storage unit.
This style of bed is an obvious choice for a tiny home, especially if your bedroom is a part of the main living space. Plus, owning a Murphy bed can dissuade you from taking a nap midday when you should be getting work done!
21. Drop Counter
Continuing on with the theme of furniture that can be tucked away when not in use, why not extend this concept to your kitchen countertop? This surface can also be used as a dining table or work desk.
If you’re worried about the strength and stability of a folding countertop, go with a design like the one pictured. With several hinged support points, you don’t need to worry about your dinner plates or laptop falling to the floor. The drop counter is nearly as sturdy as a regular one.
22. Rolling Cart
A versatile tiny home design often requires rearranging your furniture throughout the day. The heavier the furniture, the less practical it is to move. But a set of rolling casters can make moving even the bulkiest furniture a one-person job.
You can purchase furniture already equipped with wheels or mount casters to your existing items. Be sure to invest in casters that lock for added safety and stability (especially if you live in a mobile tiny home!).
23. Loft Railing
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If your tiny home features a loft, there’s a good chance it also has a loft railing. This architectural element offers the perfect opportunity to add a creative twist to your interior decor.
On top of keeping you safe and sound while you sleep, a loft railing can help divide up one space inside your home from another. This geometric railing design is just one option that visually splits the living area without blocking the line of sight (and therefore making the space feel claustrophobic).
24. Area Rugs
Do you want to know an incredibly simple way to trick your brain into seeing a single room as two separate living spaces? Outline each zone with an area rug!
This trick can be used throughout your tiny home to mark where one “room” ends and the next begins. Remember that the rugs do not need to cover the entire floor. Nor does every space need its own rug. What matters most is the contrast between each zone.
25. Accent Colors
One of the biggest rules in home design is that you shouldn’t use dark or bright colors in a small room. Using these colors (instead of white or another light neutral) can overwhelm the space and make it feel smaller than it really is.
You can still incorporate vibrant colors in your tiny home design. Just be sure to use these shades as accents rather than throughout the bulk of your decor.
26. Screen Divider
A folding screen divider is an ultra-flexible fixture that should honestly be in every home. But this type of privacy panel is even more useful within a tiny living space. Use a folding screen to remove distractions while you work from home or add privacy to your main living room or loft.
The beauty of a folding screen divider is that it can be stored almost anywhere when not needed. You can even hang it from a wall.