By Arabella Peterson Interiors 01.04.2025

Londoners Swear by These Budget-Friendly Hacks for Small Flats

After renovating 2,500 homes and being hailed as "the best online interior design service" by 'The Times', the founder of Topology Interiors shares her foolproof tips for making any space feel bigger.

Scroll to the end for a quick roundup of easy-to-copy tips.

London is known for many things – its grey skies, red buses, and frenetic energy. Also – its tiny flats.

If you’ve ever lived in the Big Smoke, you’ll be all too familiar with compact, pokey spaces – often paired with a hefty rent per square meter. But London is also a city of creativity and character, and that spirit spills into the homes of its residents, proving that living small doesn’t mean compromising on style – it just means designing with intention. If you’re planning a renovation or refresh, it might be time to rethink how to maximize space and make every centimeter count – no matter where in the world you live.

Athina Bluff is an expert in space-savvy, accessible interiors. She founded the London-based interior design studio Topology Interiors, and shows that you don’t need a big budget (or a big flat) to renovate beautifully. According to Athina, when transforming a small space, the best thing you can focus on is how to create the illusion of space. “The more floor space you can see, the larger the area will feel,” she says. “Focus on furniture that has high legs (e.g. a bed on legs rather than an ottoman base or a coffee table on legs rather than a solid base) so you can see light and floorspace around the object. Try using transparent or weightless furniture too like floating bedside tables, or glass coffee tables. The more you can see around the items of furniture, the bigger the room will appear.”

In recent years, color drenching has emerged as a failsafe design hack for homes of all styles and sizes. Simply put, it involves painting your walls, ceilings and even woodwork in the same tone. Athina swears by this technique: “By having everything in one color, your eye isn't competing to focus on lots of different elements, and the room feels less busy – even if only subconsciously. It’s a clever way to blur boundaries and elevate a small room without spending a fortune, especially if you can DIY it. It's truly transformative,” she explains.

When approaching a home renovation budget, one of the most daunting parts can be knowing where it’s worth pinching pennies – and what deserves a little extra investment. As much as we’d all love the freedom to buy the best of everything, the reality is, some corners will have to be cut. “Spend on storage solutions that are bespoke,” says Athina. “This will really help you maximize every nook and cranny of your compact space to make sure every inch is utilised. Save on decorative items like prints or small accessories, which can easily be sourced second-hand and are often swapped out as seasons change.”

Designing for small spaces often calls for counterintuitive thinking – and some of the most commonly held assumptions can actually make a room feel smaller. “People often default to everything being ‘small’ in small rooms – but lots of tiny pieces just make a room feel bitty and cluttered,” notes Athina. “One larger piece, like a bold artwork or oversized mirror, can actually make the space feel bigger. Another mistake is pushing all furniture to the walls. Sometimes floating a piece slightly or zoning an area with a rug works better. Finally, people often forget vertical space – wall hooks, high shelves or tall storage units can make a big difference.”

Often, when we hear the word renovation, we naturally picture homeowners transforming a space that belongs to them – assuming they have free rein to make bold decisions and permanent changes. But in truth, many people will never own their home – whether by choice or circumstance. Countries like Switzerland, Germany and Japan have strong rental cultures, where long-term tenants value flexibility over ownership. And in today’s economy, home ownership is far from guaranteed.

That doesn’t mean renters have to sacrifice comfort or personal style. Athina emphasises that there are plenty of impactful changes you can make without spending too much or making irreversible updates. She recommends focusing on elements that are easy to install – and just as easy to remove when you leave.

“Think about items you can take with you when you move – lighting, rugs, freestanding storage, hardware, switches and sockets. Lighting and hardware are the two key ones for me,” she says. “Swapping knobs on wardrobes or kitchen cupboards makes a space feel more considered, and they’re simple to install and remove. The same goes for lighting – it makes or breaks a space. Even if you can't get an electrician in, try smart bulbs like the Phillips Hue system, which lets you dim lights from an app on your phone. And best of all, you can take them with you when you leave.”

Athina continues, “Lighting is everything. It can make a space feel warm, tall, expansive or cozy depending on the placement. My top tip is to avoid relying on just one overhead fitting – layer in floor lamps, wall lights and even under-cabinet lighting where possible. At Topology, we like to use warm white bulbs. They instantly soften and elevate any space. If you want to go one step further for a truly ambient glow, try 'amber tinted glass' bulbs!”

If there’s one underrated design move that instantly elevates a small room, Athina’s choice is swapping light switches and plug sockets. “It’s such a small change but it instantly adds a more finished, tailored feel,” she points out. “Brass, matte black or even painted options can turn something purely functional into a design detail. It’s often overlooked but makes a world of difference.”

This melding of functional and aesthetic design is also reflected in the resurgence of built-in banquettes and multifunctional furniture. As Athina puts it, “They maximize space and look incredibly bespoke even on a budget.”

If you’re ready to start investing in pieces for your home but don't know where to begin, Athina advises looking towards budget stores and second-hand marketplaces. “I really love The Discerning Palette for vintage art finds, Etsy and Vinterior for one-off vintage pieces and small independent sellers. Then for the high street, M&S is really having a moment! And Dunelm is amazing for smaller furniture items at a great price point,” she says.

It is possible to balance practicality with aesthetics when designing for compact homes – in fact, doing so is often the key to making the space feel both beautiful and liveable. “Function always leads the way, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of personality,” Athina shares. “For example, choose closed storage to keep clutter out of sight, but pick a color or finish that feels fun or unexpected. Opt for a statement headboard that doubles as shelf space. It’s about asking: how can this look good and work hard? That balance is the sweet spot.”

Athina's top tips for maximizing small spaces

Choose furniture on legs to maximize visible floor space and make rooms feel bigger.
Try color drenching by painting walls, ceilings, and trim in the same tone.
Invest in bespoke storage to utilise every nook, and save on décor like prints or accessories that can be easily sourced second-hand.
Avoid going too small with furniture – larger statement pieces can make a space feel more cohesive and less cluttered.
Don’t forget vertical space – wall hooks, tall shelving, and high closets are your best friends.
If you’re renting, update plug sockets, door and closet knobs, and lighting. You can change these back to how they were when you move out and take these pieces with you to your next home.
Layer lighting – don’t rely on one overhead light.
Mix function with personality – practical pieces like closed storage or banquettes can still feel considered and stylish.