7 Small-Space Makeovers - Southern Living

Photo: Julia Lynn

Expose History

Designer: Angie Hranowsky

Size: 50 square feet

Before: The kitchen was unorganized, outdated, and badly lit! All of the charm in this 1910 room was covered up with drywall, laminate cabinets, and vinyl flooring.

The Transformation: Moving the fridge allowed the sink wall to be opened up and the original brick wall and window to be exposed. "I combined timeless materials such as marble and stainless steel, installed new cabinetry, and refinished the old herringbone floors," Angie says.

Small-Space Advice: "Don't think small! Aim for originality."

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Amp Up Your Storage Space

Designer: Ty Larkins

Size: 65 square feet

Before: It was a plain drywall box with hardwood flooring. Let's be honest—don't all of our closets look like that?

The Transformation: "Aesthetically, I wanted to create an old-school gentleman's haberdashery that also felt fashion forward," Ty says. "To do so, I painted the entire space a dark chocolate brown and added classic detailing, such as vintage hardware on the built-in drawers to give them the look of a freestanding antique English chest."

Small-Space Advice: "Switch outdated knobs or pulls. It does wonders on old furniture."

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Be Bold with Wallpaper

Designer: Heather Garrett

Size: 96 square feet

Before: The builders' beige hallway had traditional plantation shutters, a chair rail, and an iron chandelier.

The Transformation: "I decided to make the chair rail an important part of a more modern scheme by painting it glossy black and pairing it with a graphic patterned wallpaper," Heather says. Paring down the accessories keeps all eyes on the pattern.

Small-Space Advice: "Remove your ceiling fan's light kit. They're so dated. Use lamps instead."

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Reclaim Attic Space

Designer: Paige Sumblin Schnell

Size: 28 square feet

Before: An unfinished attic area with a big window.

The Transformation: "I embraced the natural light and framed a view by floating a vintage table-turned-vanity in front and hanging a small round mirror over the window," says Paige. "Dark walls painted Gauntlet Gray by Sherwin-Williams are high contrast and lend interest."

Small-Space Advice: "Simple color schemes work best when space is limited. They feel more focused and organized."

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Play with Pattern

Designer: Melissa Rufty

Size: 40 square feet

Before: A tired, all-white, utilitarian bath.

The Transformation: Magenta-and-orange toile wallpaper now envelops the room. "We enlivened it by painting the cabinetry, trim, and shutters a pinkish red [Mardi Gras by Benjamin Moore]," says Melissa.

Small-Space Advice: "Take the opportunity to splurge here; the quantity needed will be less."

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Layer on the Color

Designer: Barrie Benson

Size: 40 square feet

Before: A very traditional powder bath with black-and-white tile, a built-in vanity, and white walls.

The Transformation: "We married a traditional marble pedestal sink and old, drippy, crystal sconces with a glossy peacock color. It's just south of modern—tasteful, fun, and a bit unexpected," says Barrie.

Small-Space Advice: "The color [Peacock Feathers by Benjamin Moore] got more intense with every layer. It took a million to get right."

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Try a Painted Floor

Designer: Hooper Patterson

Size: 160 square feet

Before: A drab and dysfunctional laundry room.

The Transformation: "Because of built-ins, there wasn't a lot of wallspace, so I took a risk and brought pattern to the floor," Hooper says. "From there, I started layering in color on the door, window treatment, and corkboard. White hex tiles updated the backsplash."

Small-Space Advice: "Take risks. They'll pay off—I promise."