Not every dream home has to be large to feel luxurious. In fact, many homeowners in Brevard County are intentionally choosing smaller footprints—whether it’s for energy efficiency, cost savings, or simply easier maintenance. But going smaller doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or style.
As a professional home designer in Brevard, I work with clients every day who want their homes to feel open, bright, and functional—no matter the square footage. Here are expert design strategies to help you make a small home feel much larger than it is.
1. Prioritize an Open Floor Plan
Walls break up space—and not always in a good way. In smaller homes, keeping main living areas open creates flow, improves light distribution, and eliminates cramped hallways or dead corners.
Tips we implement at Armistead Design:
- Combine the kitchen, dining, and living rooms into one cohesive space
- Use strategic furniture placement to define zones instead of walls
- Create visual separation with ceiling treatments, area rugs, or lighting—not partitions
Open layouts instantly make a space feel bigger and more inviting.
2. Use Natural Light to Expand the Space
Bright spaces feel larger—especially when you use natural light to your advantage. Proper window placement is one of the most powerful tools in small-home design.
As a home designer in Brevard, I always take advantage of our region’s abundant sunlight by:
- Incorporating larger, hurricane-rated windows
- Adding transoms or clerestory windows in tight spaces
- Positioning windows across from each other for cross-lighting
- Including sliding glass doors that open to outdoor living areas
This not only expands the feel of your home—it connects it with the outdoors.
3. Extend Living Space Outdoors
Outdoor living is a year-round luxury in Brevard, and a key way to add usable square footage without increasing your indoor footprint. A well-designed patio, lanai, or courtyard can function as an extra room.
Design ideas include:
- Covered lanais with ceiling fans and lighting
- Built-in outdoor kitchens for entertaining
- Screened porches that serve as all-season retreats
- Privacy fencing and landscaping that make outdoor areas feel like extensions of the home
We often recommend outdoor living spaces in every custom design, especially for smaller lots.
4. Maximize Vertical Space and Storage
In smaller homes, you have to get creative with storage. The good news? Hidden storage solutions can actually enhance your home’s design while keeping surfaces clean and clutter-free.
Smart solutions we design into homes include:
- Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms
- Built-in shelving around windows, TVs, and entryways
- Under-stair storage or built-in benches with hidden compartments
- Walk-in pantries with narrow, vertical shelving
Good storage makes a small home feel bigger by keeping it organized and functional.
5. Choose a Light, Cohesive Color Palette
Light colors reflect more light and open up a space. While you don’t need everything to be white, using a cohesive palette of soft, natural tones helps create visual flow and a sense of continuity.
Some design tricks we use:
- Neutral base colors with subtle accent tones
- Matching floor materials throughout the home
- Consistent trim and cabinetry tones for cohesion
- Natural textures like wood, stone, and linen to add interest without clutter
When the design feels intentional and harmonious, your home feels spacious—even if it’s not large.
Work With a Local Expert in Small-Home Design
Designing a small home that feels spacious, functional, and beautiful requires more than just shrinking down a floor plan. It requires smart layout planning, thoughtful finishes, and creative storage solutions.
At Armistead Design, we specialize in creating custom homes that reflect your lifestyle—whether you’re building a 4,000-square-foot coastal retreat or a compact, low-maintenance gem. As a trusted home designer in Brevard, I help clients make the most of every square foot.
Ready to design your perfectly sized dream home?
Contact Armistead Design today, and let’s get started on a custom design that lives large, no matter its size.