image source= GoHaus

I’m so excited to share that I’ve partnered with Go Haus on a four-part Inspired Spaces series. I have a lot of companies reach out to me to do things like this, but I often decline the overture because their vision doesn’t align with the values of this community: authenticity, kindness, happiness, thoughtfulness, and wealth-driven.

What drew me to Go Haus, in particular, was their mission statement:”GoHaus was created in order to make quality, eco-friendly design accessible and to help homeowners take creative ownership in their personal spaces.” #FrugalFeministaApproved! 

So, please enjoy all of the helpful information on interior design on a budget. My husband and I recently moved and I’ve been charged with decorating (which is NOT my strength) so this series is right on time. 

-Kara

Interior designing can be a daunting task if you don’t know where to start. It gets even harder when you have a small space and a tight budget. Luckily, there are guidelines for tackling just about any interior design nightmare you can think off. If you’re keen on learning the basics of designing small spaces on a budget, look no further. Below are the ABCs of designing a small space on a budget.

Plan meticulously

Every interior design project starts with a detailed plan. When designing a small space on a budget, you need to be more detailed. Start by planning everything on paper. Your plan should focus on scaling a space without compromising the final outcome. Before you begin your project, you should know exactly what your small space will look like in the end, from the furniture size and placement to the lighting and flooring.

Consider making it a DIY project

Hiring an interior designer is costly and unnecessary when the area in question is small. As a result, you should really consider doing everything yourself. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects are always cheaper because they get rid of all the costs associated with hiring professionals. It is completely achievable to do a professional grade interior design job yourself especially in today’s day and age. The right information is out there and you can find all kinds of home improvement and design tutorials to help!

Think vertically

Small spaces are horizontally challenged i.e. the length and width is small, however, the height of small spaces tends to match that of large spaces. As a result, you need to consider utilizing vertical space. One of the best ways of doing this is using floating furniture/components i.e. a wall-hung vanity in your bathroom to save on floor space without compromising functionality and aesthetics or introducing unnecessary costs.

Use multi-functional interior design pieces

image source= Change Home

To make your small space more adaptable, consider using pieces that can be used for more than one function. For instance, instead of having a typical bed, you can go for a bed with storage space underneath i.e. an IKEA bed. You can even make custom drawers for your current bed or buy storage boxes that fit perfectly under your bed. When designing a bathroom, you can place the shower over the tub to save on space and money you would have otherwise used to construct a standalone shower shelter.

Get rid of clutter

Clutter is an interior design nightmare especially when you are designing small spaces so it’s always a good idea to get rid of anything that makes your space untidy, messy or creates confusion. You need order to implement most worthwhile and inexpensive interior design concepts for small spaces. One of the best ways of de-cluttering small spaces in an inexpensive way is creating hidden storage. Storage beds are perfect for doing this when the small space in question is a bedroom.

Use the right flooring

Flooring is a very important part of any interior design project. When it comes to designing small spaces, the main concern is usually continuity and creating an illusion of space. Vinyl plank flooring is the best DIY option for this. The flooring comes in a wide variety of finishes and colors and more importantly almost all different widths, which makes it easy to ensure continuity and allowing small spaces to feel bigger. Furthermore, the flooring is affordable. Many flooring companies give free flooring samples so it shouldn’t be a problem finding the perfect vinyl plank floor for your small space.

Summary

The above information summarizes the most important information to consider when designing a small space at a budget. Although there are always more tips/guidelines to consider, but the above information is a great starting point and will help you create the perfect small space at a fraction of the normal cost.

Come back next week for part II of the Inspired Spaces series.