With city living on the rise, many of us face a modern design dilemma: a lack of square footage for our style needs. The good news? You don't need to cut back on your style just because you're living in a smaller space. We've discovered some nifty decor ideas for stylish small space living. Take a look:

1. CLEAN LINES

Choose furniture with clean lines to create a streamlined look, this prevents a room from looking chaotic and cluttered while giving the illusion of more space.

2. SKIP TRADITION

Forget a traditional lounge layout and create a space that reflects your lifestyle needs. The standard couch and two armchairs are not your only option. Create a multi-functional space using beautiful fabrics to add style and character.

3. VERTICAL STORAGE

Storage space is a premium in a small apartment. Vertical storage is your answer to this dilemma, so stack it high and get it out of your way.

4. AN OPTICAL ILLUSION

Clear furniture is an amazing tool to cheating the eye and creating the feeling of more space. The Louis ghost chair is the perfect example of a piece of furniture that seems to disappear into a space, opening up the room.

5. NARROW DOWN

Save on precious walkway space by using furniture that sits up against the walls. Narrow wall consoles, tables and desks can save you space and provide function.

6. WHITE IS LIGHT, BRIGHT AND BREEZY

It's no secret that white and light colours can instantly open a space. Use white as a base on the walls and keep the colours light on the larger pieces of furniture. You can add pops of colour and character with bright accessories to express your personal design taste. This will also prevent a room from looking too clinical.

7. MIRROR IMAGES

Using mirrors in a small space helps create the illusion of space by reflecting the room in front of it. Using mirrors to cover a relatively large piece of wall to maximize on this design trick.

8. WORK YOUR WINDOWS

A window is a source of natural light in a small space, so avoid covering it up with heavy curtaining or harsh blinds. Using sheer curtains in a light colour to frame the window and provide privacy when necessary or opt for a light blind that can be rolled up to take up minimal window space.