By Indiana Lee

Interior design in small spaces is the perfect challenge… You don’t have multiple rooms to work with and can’t afford to overlook a single nook or cranny. If you want to create a comfortable, stylish home, you must attend to every inch of your space.

Living in a smaller space can be more eco-friendly, too. You’ll save plenty on heating bills and won’t have to turn a dozen lights on to light up a single room. Doing so can be a real boon if you’re an eco-friendly, climate-conscious designer with a passion for reducing waste.

Similarly, it’s easier to integrate elements you love when working with a smaller space. You make use of cozy, eco-friendly design elements and get more from design choices like sustainable furniture.

Climate Control Solutions

The phrase “climate control” doesn’t scream “style.” However, if you take an eco-friendly approach to climate control, you may find that sustainable solutions — like insulating your floor with rugs — can further your sense of style and aid your efforts to create the comfortable, cozy small space of your dreams. Additional energy-efficient interior design choices include:

• Wall Insulation: Insulating your walls doesn’t have to be limited to spray foam and blow-in insulation. Consider using design tips like wooden cladding, decorative wall panels, and stylish fabric wall hangings. They’re visually appealing and help to layer practical insulation.

• Floors: Nothing is worse than a cold draft in a small space. Create a cozy, comfortable space by laying rugs, new carpets, layered tatami-style mats, and draft stoppers by doors.

• Windows: Double-glazing and weatherstripping will make your windows eco-friendlier. However, you can make these changes suit your style by using subtle, modern stained glass and decorative grills or by replacing the window unit with tall arched windows.

These changes will transform your space while reducing your heating bill. However, you’ll still need to adopt some eco-friendly lifestyle changes if you want to create a sustainable home for your family.

Simple changes like setting your HVAC unit to the optimal temperature setting of 77 or 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer and 68 degrees Fahrenheit during winter can reduce your energy consumption by 5 - 15% annually.

You should also consider making use of smart thermostats, which can detect movement and automatically adjust temperatures based on your daily habits and routines to reduce wasted energy.

Leveraging Design Trends

Creating an eco-friendly, comfortable space is about more than installing draft stoppers and smart thermostats. If you want to truly love your space, you’ll want to consider adopting some home design trends for 2024, including:

• Quiet Luxury: This idea revolves around timeless design choices that you can build an entire room around. Statement pieces from vintage shops and antique dealers could be the perfect starting point and help reduce waste.

• Tiling: Add a pop of color to your kitchen and restrooms by installing reclaimed tiles that come with interesting designs.

• Texture: Pillows, throws, and rugs make a big impression in a small room. They can help keep the space warm in the winter months and will transform your home into a cozy nest!

These design styles are in vogue for a reason: they’re innately eco-friendly and help you make the most of your existing design choices.

Deciding to add some tiles to your home keeps them out of landfills while insulating with pillows reduces your energy use. Additional benefits of thrifting include:

• Creates an original, unique interior design throughout your small space.

• Aids your efforts to save for expensive, designer items.

• Helps you collect original pieces that make your home stand out.

• Sharpens your eye for antique furniture and can empower your efforts to create a home filled with high-quality upcycled home decor.

Thrifting is particularly impactful in a small space, where a single painting or vase can stand out and own the spotlight in the room.

Deciding to purchase most of your decor from thrift stores is fun, too! You’ll be surprised by how many designer items end up in thrift stores and will be able to draw satisfaction from the knowledge that you’ve found a unique item that works well within your home.

Saving for Sustainable, Designer Items

Designing a small space means you can spend big on stand-out items like tables, paintings, couches, and cooktops.

You’re already saving plenty of cash that would have been spent on heating a large space and won’t need to buy tons of furniture when you only have a single living room. And it’s worth saving up for sustainably sourced, aesthetically appealing designer pieces.

If you’re struggling to set funds aside for a built-in carpentry or a mahogany dining table, consider upcycling existing furniture. Like thrifting, upcycling reduces waste while saving your cash. Doing this will empower your efforts to create an eco-friendly home that reflects your style. If you’re looking for a new project, consider:

• Murphy Beds: A Murphy bed is the ideal solution for a small space. They free up floor space, reduce visual clutter, and help you create a multi-functional space. They don’t have to be a mess of exposed springs and switches, either. You can make a frame for the bed using wood paneling that suits your overall aesthetic.

• Cabinets and Storage: When looking for an upcycling candidate, search for high-quality wood that will serve as a strong foundation for your design choices and will look great once properly varnished and restored.

• Decoupage and Fabric: Cloth, patterns, and re-upholstery is the perfect way to bring an old chair, cabinet, or ottoman back to life. You’ll learn plenty of crafting skills while stitching, sewing, and texturing, too.

Upholstering old items can help you protect a part of history, too.

Vintage items that have seen their hay-day come and go are worth preserving and can add to your design style without breaking the bank.

Conclusion

Creating an eco-friendly, comfortable home in a small space is easier than you may think. Start with simple steps — like installing energy-conserving design elements — and using reclaimed or recycled elements as much as possible. And choosing upcycled decor can aid your efforts to find a few “statement” pieces that make your home feel unique, intentionally designed, and comfortable.

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

I’d love to connect with you!

Indiana Lee is a passionate writer and avid puzzle enthusiast hailing from the serene landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. With a deep appreciation for aesthetics and a strong preference for designs that seamlessly blend comfort and functionality, she brings a unique perspective to the world of interior decor. Connect with her on LinkedIn.