Property Stager Sallie King Shares Her Secrets on Styling Spaces

Exclusive Interview with Sallie King

When it comes to making a home feel stylish, spacious and effortlessly put together, few people understand the challenge better than London-based property stager and designer Sallie King. As the founder of Urbansize, Sallie has built a reputation for transforming compact city homes into beautiful, functional spaces that feel far bigger than their square footage suggests. With expertise in small-space living and a keen eye for creating interiors that appeal to both homeowners and buyers, her practical design advice has even earned a place in interior expert Kate Watson-Smyth’s latest book.

In this exclusive interview, Sallie King shares the most common decorating mistakes people make in small homes, her favourite designer tricks for creating the illusion of space, and why true luxury has far less to do with budget than most people think. From smart storage solutions to the textures that instantly elevate a room, her advice proves that great design is all about thoughtful choices rather than square footage.

What are the biggest mistakes people make when trying to decorate or organise a small space, and what should they do instead?

One of the biggest mistakes I see is people scaling down all their furniture in an attempt to fit more into a room. It often creates a cluttered, almost doll’s house effect. Instead, choose a few key intentional pieces that are appropriately sized for the space. A room with one generous sofa, a well-proportioned rug and a couple of carefully chosen accessories will always feel bigger than a room packed with lots of smaller furniture.

You specialise in making compact homes feel bigger and lighter. What are your top three designer tricks that instantly transform a room without major renovation costs?

My first tip is to zone the space carefully. Most homes need to work hard these days, but multifunctional doesn’t have to mean chaotic. Use rugs, furniture placement or paint to create distinct areas for different activities.

Secondly, layer your lighting. Relying solely on overhead lighting can make a room feel flat and uninviting. Introduce table lamps, floor lamps and wall lights to create warmth and depth.

Finally, be intentional with colour. In smaller spaces, a cohesive colour palette creates flow and makes rooms feel larger. You can then add personality through texture and accessories rather than lots of competing colours.

London homes often lack space and storage. What are the smartest ways to create a home that feels calm, stylish and functional for everyday life?

The more storage you have, the more things you will store. So my best advice is, before investing in storage solutions, edit down your belongings and focus on keeping what you genuinely use and love.

Once you’ve done that, choose storage that is both practical and attractive. Then display a small collection of meaningful objects rather than filling every surface. The most beautiful homes aren’t the trend led ones; they’re the ones that feel personal and reflective of the people who live there.

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“Expensive-looking interiors” are everywhere on social media. What actually makes a home feel luxurious, regardless of size or budget?

Texture is what creates luxury. When people think of expensive interiors, they often think about expensive furniture, but it’s really the layering of materials that creates richness and depth.

Think linen, timber, boucle, stone, marble and natural fibres. In smaller rooms especially, I often work within a limited colour palette and build interest through texture instead. That’s what stops a space feeling flat and gives it that considered, high end look.

With more people working from home and living in smaller spaces, how has the way we design our homes changed in recent years?

After Covid, our homes had to become everything at once: office, gym, classroom, sanctuary and social space. People became much more intentional about how they used every square foot.

What’s interesting now is that we’re seeing a shift away from purely functional design. People still want flexibility, but they’re increasingly prioritising comfort, wellbeing and escapism. It’s less about squeezing in a home gym and more about creating spaces that feel restorative, whether that’s a deep, oversized sofa, a spa-like bathroom or a bedroom that feels like a boutique hotel. People want their homes to be a refuge from a busy world.

To learn more about Sallie King, visit www.studioninestaging.co.uk or follow along on social media @salliekinginteriors for the latest updates and inspiring content.