2011 Ideas for Small Spaces Decorating

learn how to make the most of your small-space situation with these creative design ideas.

Curtain Divider

A simple, sheer curtain is a great way to easily divide two spaces. Designer Vanessa DeLeon incorporated a sheer, silk curtain panel into this Asian-style apartment to add a dramatic element and visually separate the living room from the dining room. 

 

Well-Worked Window Treatments

To make a small living room appear more spacious, add floor-to-ceiling window treatments. This eclectic living room features extra-high ceilings, despite its small floor plan. This simple addition will automatically draw eyes up the wall for a much larger feel. Design by Lori Dennis

Clever Kitchen Storage

While regular kitchen cupboards serve a useful purpose, there's something eye-catching and appealing about these open (and organized) storage shelves. Designer John Gidding wanted to separate the kitchen from the dining area but still keep the entire space open and airy. By adding the small wall divider, he was able to turn a small kitchen into two separate rooms. Plus, the floor-to-ceiling shelves are the perfect place to store and display favorite items and pretty glassware.

Bathroon Storage

Narrow wall shelves are an excellent way to store bathroom essentials in a stylish way. Invest in attractive canisters to hold cotton swabs, cotton balls and your favorite lotion, and place unsightly toiletries under the vanity. Small wicker baskets can also be placed on the shelves for additional, hidden storage. Design by John Gidding

Multipurpose Space

Sometimes, a multipurpose space is unavoidable, and your home office and guest bedroom must inhabit the same space. To make the best of this situation, use the surrounding walls to your advantage. Designer John Gidding created a simple desk unit and added a collection of shelves above for necessary storage. Connected to the desk, a stylishly concealed Murphy bed can easily pull out for those occasional guests. During the day, store the bed for a creative and spacious workspace. 

Keep It Light

To make your space appear larger, avoid using dark hues. This eclectic living room features a gray focal wall for a punch of color but keeps the rest of the space light and open with crisp, white furniture and white built-in units.

Beneath the Stairs

Any space can be enhanced with additional (and stylish) storage solutions. Designer John Gidding added a shelving unit directly below the stairs to take advantage of the awkward, extra space. Located adjacent to the kitchen, he turned the unit into a mini bar, storing bar essentials and other accessories. These shelves would also be an ideal place to display an abundant book collection.

Get Creative

Whether you have small children and a lot of toys or just need extra shelves to store books and display items, creatively use the extra space between two floor levels for a unique shelving unit. With six separate shelves and floor space below, designer John Gidding provided the perfect place for visual storage. These small canvas bins are great for keeping toys stored away and out of sight.

Add a Mirror

One of the best (and easiest) tricks in the design world is adding a full-body mirror to visually expand a space. Surrounded by neutral draperies, this tall mirror adds dimension to the space and makes the small bedroom appear much larger. Close the curtains and hide the mirror for a more intimate and enclosed space.

Contemporary Bedroom Curtains Designs Ideas 2011

Bedroom curtains are decorative and functional accessory for bedroom that will give a perfect look to your bedroom design.  They keep away the sunlight to let into your bedroom and also give you privacy from outside. If you need insulation and soundproofing in your bedroom, then you can choose the lined bedroom curtains. While choosing bedroom curtains, then first you have to check the length and width of the bedroom windows and doors. It’s up to you whether you want to hang bedroom curtains to cover the windows completely or just before the floor.

Curtains are available in various colors, designs and styles and you can choose the best one according to your bedroom style. Sheer curtains go well with any type of style and décor. You can match the color of bedroom curtain with the rest furnishing of the bedroom and create a unique style that will complement your bedroom design. 

Enjoy the pictures below and be sure to give us your feedback

This lovely contemporary eyelet curtain is a great addition to any living area, with its 4 versatile colourways.

Crisp and elegant eyelet curtain with foil print

This vibrant curtain uses great harmonising colours to their full effect. The geometric pattern creates a great statement too!

This wonderfully vibrant curtain is a great summer choice! Great as a focal point of a minimally decorated room, or in a colourful room with coordinating colours.

This striking geometric pattern is a great addition to any room that needs a contemporary twist.

Geometric yet delicate patterned eyelet curtain in Red or Brown.

A great curtain to give a room that sleek, yet homely touch. 

A bold modern floral which will be a statement to any interior. Dark backgrounds combine with pockets of highlight colours to create a striking look

A sophisticated look with horizontal chenille bands.

Despite the loud pattern, this curtains gives a cool, chic, laid back air to a room.

These lovely curtains feature a great balance of rich colour and soothing neutrals. The top chenille bands beautifully offset the faux silk base. This curtain really makes a statement with colour without being gaudy.

Elegant timeless floral design with a funky colourful twist.

Candice Olson Bedrooms Decorating Design Ideas 2011

Fresh and Eco-Friendly

Candice pairs organic fabrics with modern styling to create a bedroom that is simply chic.

Rustic, Relaxing Retreat

Designed to appeal to both male and female tastes, this cozy suite perfectly balances luxe and rustic.

Bright and Open Loft

This small bedroom is part of an open, third-floor loft. Candice kept the space from feeling confined or dark with multiple lighting sources and a fresh and airy color palette.

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Challenging Space, Stylish Solution

This room with an incredibly high, peaked ceiling and quirky angles posed a bit of a challenge.

Colorful Bedroom Decorating Design Ideas 2011

Monochromatic Magnificence

Create a soothing yet bold look with a monochromatic color scheme. Here, a cream floor rug and bedding are the perfect complement for a sophisticated gray-blue wall color. Blue hues create a sense of calm, making this bedroom a peaceful oasis to escape to at night

Simple Stripes

A bright green-and-white striped floor rug kicks up the style in this room. The stripe motif continues on the wall, where white molding separates a section of light green and dark green to create a simple yet beautiful look .

Perfect Pair 

Back up an upholstered headboard with a wall in the same color to create a cheery look. Here, a seafoam green and cream country French pattern complements a seafoam green paneled wall. Add extra style to the bedding by using a fun patterned bedspread and throw pillows in different bold colors. The end result is a young, fun bed with room to experiment with patterns .

Get Inspired

Start with a neutral palette and find ways to bring in color through bedding and accessories. Here, splashes of apple green in the mostly white room make it feel vibrant and alive. Swap out a headboard for a montage of framed pictures and paintings to add a unique, personal touch to the room. The gallery-style art arrangement gives this room a casual feel .

Towel Tricks

You don't have to follow the rules when you're hunting for the perfect color and pattern. Here, yellow-and-white patterned bath towels get new life as a bed skirt. Letting color peek through in unexpected places adds interest to classic bedding .

Restful Retreat

Get inspired by your favorite places when decorating your bedroom. Here, a bedroom uses a beach theme, with sand-colored walls and vintage-inspired fabrics, to create a soothing vibe. A blue upholstered headboard and blue trim on the bedspread adds a water-like hue to the palette. The beaded-board ceiling and grass-cloth walls add rustic texture to a room filled with beachside memories

 

Vintage Charm

When trying to create a vintage vibe, color selection is essential. Here, a green, pink, blue, and white color scheme works together to make the bedroom look like it's straight out of the 1920s. Don't be afraid to mix different shades of colors and to play with patterns. Dark wood furnishings add sophistication to the decor .

Trendy Metallic

Use a metallic color to dress up an ordinary bedroom. Here, the combination of matte blue-gray walls and the metallic blue-gray bed skirt, wall art, and bedding details creates an unforgettable look. Add silver accessories to play up the metallic pieces .

 

Casually Modern

One strong pattern in a room is enough to make a big difference. Here, a contrasting print on the window treatments steals the show. The fabric's black circles on a white background create a bold diamond-shape pattern when pushed to the sides and gives the room a cool and contemporary look. A soothing green bedspread complements the dramatic black-and-white patterns

Lovely Lavender

Blue-violet paired with white creates a feminine look in this room. Lavender is a strong color, so it's important to keep this in mind when using it for the wall color. A rule of thumb: Choose the top (and lightest) color on the paint card when selecting a bold color for walls

Window Treatments Design Ideas 2011 By HGTV Designers

Stylish Window Treatments

Modern Stripes

Simple panels are one of the easiest and most popular window treatment options. To spice up the living room's neutral palette, designer Troy Beasley selects white-and-green-striped curtains. Choose wider stripes and contrasting hues for a more modern look.

Curtain Combos

Valances provide a streamlined look by hiding drapery hardware. Designer Troy Beasley pairs a valance with cream panels trimmed in brown to add warmth to the bedroom while still letting in a little natural light.

Layers of Pink

Layer a mixture of curtains to create an updated design. Designer Andreea Avram Rusu pairs vibrant striped sheers with deep pink panels for a bright and contemporary bedroom.

Bold Contrast

A grommet heading, rings inserted into the top of the curtain fabric, is a contemporary and clean solution for hanging drapes. Make a bold statement with black and white stripes, like the Horizon in Shantung panels from Wildcat Territory. Photo Courtesy of Wildcat Territory.

Sleek and Blue

Designer Lori Dennis maintains the contemporary look of the living room with sleek panels hung close to the wall. Hidden hardware gives the window treatments a streamlined look.

Full of Frills

Unique window treatments complete a room. Designer Shelly Riehl David creates custom puff-top silk draperies for this romantic and feminine bedroom.

Creative Treatments

Windows aren't the only place for beautiful draperies. Designer Tracy Morris fills a luxurious bathroom with soft pleated curtains hung along the walls to add warmth and to create different spaces.

Pretty and Practical

Combine panels with blinds for privacy and to add warmth to a room. For a natural and unique touch, designer Jennifer Duneier uses a bamboo rod to hang the panels.

Flowery Style

Floral patterns don't have to look outdated. Look for ones with a large print, like the black-and-white Roman shades designer Erinn Valencich uses in this modern bedroom.

Keep It Simple

Simple shades and panels in a modern geometric pattern frame the view of this stylish study. Designer Troy Beasley says, "Keep windows open and light. Don't dress up the windows with jabots, swags or other old-fashioned, fussy treatments."