Sarah Paulson's converted surf shack is a masterclass in keeping a small space cosy without sacrificing on style

Sometimes having a small space to decorate can feel challenging, especially when you love adding personality to your home. But actress Sarah Paulson has just proved it's possible, and the result is incredibly charming.

Whether you're looking for ways to make a small room look bigger or just want to add personality to your home without making it feel cramped and overwhelming, there are ways to achieve it. No matter how small your space is, there are so many ways to transform it on a budget whilst staying true to your personal style and preferences.

Looking at American Horror Story star Sarah Paulson's Malibu home, previously a surf shack, there's small space inspiration galore. In fact, we're finding it hard to choose our favourite room in the house.

Making small or awkward spaces work in your home can be frustrating, especially when you want to add your personal touch and make it your own. Actress Sarah Paulson has shown us how it's done with a surprisingly unusual space.

"I brought my dog to my friend's house; she has a house in the same area, and I took my dog for a walk on the beach. I've never seen my dog so happy. So I actually really got the house for my dog," explains Sarah whilst showing Architectural Digest around her Malibu home.

We definitely couldn't think of a better reason to buy a house, and whilst this is a coastal, quaint property, it's got some seriously smart design choices to make it feel and look bigger. All of which are surrounded by jewel-toned pops of colour and eye-catching patterns.

"Hey, I don't know about you, but I really like using a curtain for a door. That was our solution, so we did not have what traditionally happens in small spaces, which is the dreaded barn door," she says.

Installing a door curtain in your home isn't just great for saving space; if you struggle to keep your home warm in winter, adding one on top of your regular doors is a great way to keep out draughts.

Another way Sarah and her Interior Designer, Amy Kehoe, use design to magnify space is with the floor-to-ceiling tiling in the bathroom. "My bathroom is floor-to-ceiling tiled with beautiful zellige tile from Clay Tile, which, once I saw one of them, I just went nuts," admires Sarah.

The same way that colour drenching makes a room feel bigger, using tiles in this way can have the same effect, as it draws the eyes up and doesn't leave you with any awkward cut-offs making the walls seem shorter.

Sarah's even taken some small garden tips and put them to good use in her compact yet charming outdoor area.

"We are in my lovely, charming and exceedingly tiny back yard. Where I like to also do really annoying white-girl-on-Instagram things like drink my tea out here," jokes Sarah.

The gravelled area includes a wrap-around, simplistic seating area finished with similarly jewel coloured cushions as we can see inside. Along with the outdoor sofa, there's a charming wash of ivy that dips down to the seating area, making the space that much cosier and welcoming.

Whilst there's certainly been a focus on making the most of the smaller-sized home, it's clear that Sarah's personality has remained a priority. From using her favourite colour in the tiled bathroom to keeping the space open and, to her delight, free from barn doors.

If you have a similarly compact outdoor area like Sarah's then you can use exterior lighting to make a small patio feel bigger. It's a low-cost, low-effort solution that can make all the difference.