How to Style Small Spaces: 5 Minimal Touches That Elevate Any Room
People think they need large furniture, expensive designs, or major renovations to make a space feel beautiful or functional. But the truth is this:
It doesn’t take a lot to elevate a room — it takes the right touches.
Thoughtful, minimal styling can transform a space instantly. You don’t need clutter. You don’t need dozens of decor items. And you definitely don’t need to sacrifice your personal style because you’re working with limited square footage.
In fact, I believe small spaces are the biggest design opportunity because every detail matters. When you choose the right pieces, even the smallest corner becomes artful, intentional, and inviting.
In this post, I’m sharing five minimal touches that elevate any small space, along with the exact items I styled recently. These ideas are beginner-friendly, renter-friendly, budget-friendly, and extremely impactful. Let’s get into it.
1. Light the Room Properly (Lighting Is EVERYTHING in Small Spaces)
Lighting is one of the most underrated design tools — especially in small rooms. Light determines mood, depth, shadows, and the overall feeling of a space. And because small spaces can quickly feel crowded or dark, good lighting is absolutely essential.
Here’s a just few lighting ideas I did in my home:
✔ Add Floor Lamps
I placed pharmacy-style floor lamps beside my sofas. These lamps instantly lifted the room.
They’re:
• Slim
• Sleek
• Minimal
• Adjustable
• And perfect for tight corners
The warm glow softened the edges of the room, creating more depth and comfort.
✔ Add Candles
I love to light up a homemade candle (click here for full tutorial on how to make some) on the coffee table. It just makes the room for so much cozy.
✔ New Ceiling Light in Dining Area
I added a beautiful brass-and-black ceiling fixture. It’s modern, clean, and elevated. The difference this one light made is unreal.
It:
• Brought the dining area into “focus”
• Made the space feel finished
• Added architectural interest
Why Lighting Works So Well in Small Spaces
Lighting enhances:
• Color
• Texture
• Mood
• Shadows
• Silhouettes
Small spaces need dimension — and lighting gives you that without adding clutter.
Minimal Touch Strategy:
Use three layers of lighting:
1. Overhead or ceiling lighting
2. Mid-level lighting (lamps, sconces, pendants)
3. Ambient lighting (candles, LED strips, battery sconces)
Just 1–2 lighting additions can change the entire feeling of your home.
2. Style A Decorative Bowl (Your New Secret Weapon)
Bowls are one of the most versatile decor pieces you can own, especially for small spaces. They take up minimal surface area but add major visual interest. And they’re perfect for creating simple but stylish moments.
✔ The Bowl Styling Trick
I bought a gorgeous wooden decorative bowl and wanted to fill it with something organic, earthy, and textural — without spending a lot.
So I took faux greenery stems from Dollar Tree and broke off the tips to create mini pieces. Then, I filled the bowl with them. Easy.
The result? A designer look… for a few dollars.
It looks:
• Fresh
• Natural
• Minimal
• Intentional
This trick works for:
• Entry tables
• Coffee tables
• Dining tables
• Shelves
• Kitchen islands
• Nightstands
Why Bowls Are Perfect for Small Spaces
Bowls give you:
• A clean silhouette
• Organic softness
• A focal point
• Customizable styling
• Easy seasonal swaps
You can fill them with:
• Moss
• Wood beads
• Faux fruit
• Keys + everyday items
• Dried florals
• Decorative spheres
• Nothing at all (negative space is stylish too!)
Minimal Touch Strategy:
Use one well-chosen bowl to create a styled moment that pulls an entire small space together.
3. Use Bookends to Add Structure and Earthy Character
Shelves can easily look either too empty or too cluttered — especially in small spaces.
Bookends create structure and bring balance without overwhelming the eye.
In my recent shelf styling video, I shared the stunning CB2 bookends I added to my living room shelves.
They brought:
• Earthy tones
• Texture
• Weight
• Modern character
• A sculptural moment
Bookends aren’t just for books — they’re incredible styling tools.
Ways to Use Bookends Creatively:
• Anchor a small collection of books
• Frame a decorative object
• Add weight to airy shelves
• Create symmetry or intentional asymmetry
• Add sculptural interest
Why Bookends Work for Small Spaces
They:
• Use very little space
• Add personality
• Bring visual balance
• Prevent shelves from looking empty
• Keep decor intentional
Minimal Touch Strategy:
Add one pair of statement bookends to create a curated shelf moment that makes your small space look professionally styled.
4. Decorate With LED Candle Sets for Instant Warmth
Nothing elevates a small space faster than warm candlelight — but traditional candles aren’t always practical.
So I’ve been loving LED flameless battery-operated pillar candles.
I recently styled a set on my console table and shared the look.
✔ What I Did
I placed reindeer moss inside 2 clear glass vases and put a LED pillar candle in each.
The glow through the moss looked:
• Cozy
• Soft
• Elegant
• Designer-level
The best part? The set comes with a remote, so you can turn everything on with one click.
Why LED Candles Work Well in Small Spaces
• They create warmth
• They’re safe
• They’re reusable
• They give ambiance without heat or scent
• They make corners feel inviting
• They add soft height and dimension
Minimal Touch Strategy:
Style LED candles in glass vases, bowls, lanterns, or on trays for a clean, sophisticated glow.
5. Use a Drink Table for Style + Function (Small-Space GOLD)
If you don’t have a lot of space for side tables, you need this in your life: A drink table.
I shared a snippet of mine recently — it’s from West Elm. It has a marble top, weighted base, and a chic modern look.
A drink table is:
• Slim
• Stylish
• Portable
• Functional
• Perfect for tight spaces
• A space saver
✔ How I Styled Mine
I place one on the end of my sofas for a touch of everyday elegance.
Drink Tables Work Anywhere:
• Beside the sofa
• Next to accent chairs
• Near the bed
• In small reading corners
Why Drink Tables Elevate Small Spaces
They add:
• Function
• Style
• Flexibility
• A designer element
Small spaces thrive when every piece has purpose — and a drink table checks all the boxes.
Minimal Touch Strategy:
Use a drink table to anchor a small corner and instantly add architectural sophistication.
Small Spaces Don’t Need Much — They Need the Right Touches
Every item you bring into a small space should:
• Add something
• Elevate something
• Support the feeling you want
• Make life easier
• Bring beauty without clutter
With just a few minimal touches — lighting, a styled bowl, sculptural bookends, cozy candles, and a chic drink table — your small space can feel effortless, elevated, and magazine-worthy.
Minimalism doesn’t mean empty. It means intentional. And intention transforms everything.
Need Help Styling Your Space? Book a Clarity Room Reset Session
If you love these tips but want personalized guidance for your specific room, my Clarity Room Reset is the perfect next step.
This affordable, high-impact session helps you:
• Use what you already own in a smarter, more beautiful way
• Understand what to change (and what to stop doing)
• Get instant design direction tailored to your style
✨ Click to learn more about how to get started with a Clarity Room Reset.
Shop My Finds
