DIYs to Update a Small Room

Decorating a small room can be a challenge, especially because it's hard to know where to place anything. The first step is to identify some viable storage ideas; then you need to make all your stuff look good.

This article includes a bunch of DIYs that will help you decorate small rooms to their fullest potential without sacrificing storage space. The best part about these do-it-yourself projects is that you'll save money—perfect for people on a budget!

01 of 20

Build a Murphy Desk

Shanty 2 Chic

Murphy beds are known for saving space in small bedrooms but think about the possibilities of applying the same concept to a dual-purpose room or small office. Increase the footprint of your small space by building a desk that folds into the wall when you're not using it!

DIY Murphy Desk from Shanty 2 Chic
02 of 20

Hang a Table From the Ceiling

The Merry Thought

Most well-designed bedrooms have nightstands on either side of the bed, even if the bedroom is small. Tackle this DIY bedroom idea by hanging a piece of reclaimed wood from the ceiling. Just be sure it is bolted correctly so it can handle the weight of your objects. Opt for wall sconces and use this table for other less fragile nighttime essentials. The best part of this project is the floor space that is now cleared for a hamper.

DIY Hanging Table from The Merry Thought
03 of 20

Put Shelves in a Window for Plants

Design Sponge

Collecting houseplants for your home can turn into a bit of an obsession. What starts as one pretty planter can quickly turn into dozens of plants waiting for their turn in the sun. To save space, add glass floating shelves to a window and place your plants here.

DIY Floating Window Shelves from Design Sponge
04 of 20

Mount a Drying Rack to the Wall

The House of Wood

If you have tight quarters in the laundry room, save floor space by building a fold-out drying rack. The total cost of this project is around $30, which is significantly less than what it would be to buy this item from a store.

How to Build a Beadboard Laundry Drying Rack from The House of Wood

Continue to 5 of 20 below
05 of 20

Make a Console Table for Behind the Sofa

Jenna Sue Design Co.

Small living rooms can be tricky to decorate. Narrow console tables or sofa tables make it possible to position a table—and decor—behind the couch, even if your furniture has no other place to go except against a wall.

DIY Sofa/Console Table Tutorial from Jenna Sue Design Co.
06 of 20

Save Closet Space by Building a Clothing Rack

Darleen Meier

Small closets are the bane of every fashion lover's existence, but you don't have to pare down your clothing even if you live in a small space. Build a clothing rack that you can position in your bedroom, spare room, or even in the entryway. Hang your most used and attractive items on this rack to make the most of the extra storage space.

DIY Copper Clothing Rack from Darleen Meier
07 of 20

Replace a Coffee Table With a Storage Ottoman

Live Laugh Rowe

When you have a small living room, it makes no sense to have a coffee table that lacks storage space. Replace a basic table with a rolling storage ottoman such as this one. If you want the piece to function as seating as well, pick a project that is upholstered.

DIY Storage Ottoman from Live Laugh Rowe
08 of 20

Hang Your Hamper

The Organized Mom

To make a small space feel larger, try to keep unnecessary items off the floor. In the bedroom, hampers can take up a lot of floor space and make the room feel more cluttered than is necessary. Craft a hanging laundry hamper using an embroidery hoop then hang it on the inside of the closet door.

$3 Laundry Hamper from The Organized Mom

Continue to 9 of 20 below
09 of 20

Hack Existing Ikea Shelves Into a Rustic Spice Rack

The Inspired Hive

Kitchen storage is usually at such a premium that we are always looking for ways to be more efficient with food prep. One way to save counter space and make spices or cooking oils more accessible is to build a wall-mounted spice rack. You don't even need to start from scratch. Pick up some Ikea Bekvam shelves then refinish them to match your existing style.

DIY Rustic Wall Mounted Spice Rack from The Inspired Hive
10 of 20

Divide Spaces in Studio Apartments Using a DIY Wall Divider

Ohoh Deco

This room decorating idea is perfect for studio apartments that have few clearly defined spaces. Contrary to what you might think, dividing a space can make the room feel larger and give you another makeshift wall space to position furniture against. Just make sure there is some light passing through your divider so you don't darken the area.

How to Make a Geometric Room Divider from Ohoh Deco
11 of 20

Switch Out a Regular Bed With a Platform Bed

Lowe's

If you have a small bedroom, perhaps you can save money and space by building a platform bed with storage. Commonly used items can be stored in attractive baskets or stacked neatly in the built-in cubbies. An added benefit of platform beds in small spaces is that they generally sit lower to the ground, helping to expose all the extra vertical space.

How to Make a DIY Platform Bed from Lowe's
12 of 20

Make a Hanging Jewelry Organizer

Cherished Bliss

The more wall space you can utilize in a small room, the better you'll be able to function in the space. There are so many jewelry organizers that sit on top of a vanity, but if you're limited on space, opt to build one that hangs instead. To make this organizer, remove a frame's backing and glass, then insert some type of metal mesh. Add hooks or knobs to the bottom of the frame for necklaces.

DIY Jewelry Organizer from Home Depot

Continue to 13 of 20 below
13 of 20

Hang Produce on the Wall

A Turtle's Life for Me

Some kitchens have tiny pantries or no pantry at all. If this is the case in your kitchen, your fruits and vegetables might be taking up valuable space on your countertop. Build a produce rack that can adhere to the end of your cabinets or wall to save space where you need it most.

DIY Produce Stand from A Turtle's Life for Me
14 of 20

Keep Toys Stored Off the Floor

Ana White

Nothing like a ton of toys scattered all over the floor to make a room feel cramped. Of course, if your children are young, a certain amount of toys on the floor is to be expected—but it's important to have a place for the toys to go once they are done playing with them. These wood bins work well for toys because they are stacked and don't come out far from the wall.

Wood Bulk Toy Bins from Ana White
15 of 20

Repurpose an Old Window Into a Bathroom Cabinet

Liz Marie Blog

Storage space in a small bathroom is so important, especially if the room lacks a proper linen closet. This DIY takes an antique window and reimagines it as a storage cabinet above the toilet. Since the cabinet is open, make sure the items you keep inside are contained attractively.

DIY Bathroom Cabinet from Liz Marie Blog
16 of 20

Store Baby Books on DIY Shelves

The Picket Fence Projects

These book nooks are a great way to eliminate the need for a bookshelf in a nursery or children's room. Don't worry, you can adjust the size to grow with your child's book collection.

DIY Baby's Book Nook from The Picket Fence Projects

Continue to 17 of 20 below
17 of 20

Add Some Light With a DIY Mirror

The Wood Grain Cottage

One way to make a small room feel larger is by adding some mirrors. However, you don't have to install a floor-to-ceiling mirror across the entire wall. Instead, give an inexpensive full-length mirror an attractive makeover with this clever DIY project.

DIY Wood Framed Mirror from The Wood Grain Cottage
18 of 20

Carve Out a Space for a Small Vanity

Rock My Style

Even if you have only a small space, you don't have to sacrifice vanity for the sake of efficiency. Create a makeup table by hanging a shelf on the wall, then add a small chair in front. Complete the space by hanging a mirror.

A Small Space Beauty Station from Rock My Style
19 of 20

Craft a Wooden Couch Sleeve for Small Living Rooms

Ugly Duckling House

When there's no chance of an end table fitting next to a couch, consider making a wooden couch sleeve instead. This DIY creates a solid surface for drinks, remotes, your phone, and anything else you want to set down while binging a series on Netflix.

DIY Wooden Couch Sleeve from Ugly Duckling House
20 of 20

Store Office Supplies Vertically With a Desk Organizer

Poppytalk

A small desk looks even smaller when there are tons of papers, pens, and supplies scattered everywhere. Take the time to design a desk organizer that will be functional for your space and hold all your regularly needed items.

DIY Desk Organizer from Poppytalk