Choosing Small Furniture for Small Rooms

One of the trickiest things about decorating a small house is choosing functional yet stylish furniture that won’t make the room too cramped. There is a need, but you can’t always consider what you prefer because they can be too big for the room or they are not fit for your existing interior style. But the great thing is, you may be short on space, but it doesn’t mean you have to cramp your style. Here are some helpful tips for choosing the right furniture for small rooms:

1. Opt for skinnier items

1. Opt for skinnier items

Since you are dealing with a small room, it’s just common sense to avoid filling it up with large items. A furniture piece that carries too much bulk can be overwhelming to space. When choosing sofas, for example, a chair with fat arms and multi-cushion back is cozy but it will look too inflated. Instead, look for those with tight upholstery, skinny arms and sits off the ground on tapered legs – that small space between the floor and the sofa adds a feeling of openness. When choosing a bed, make sure it has enough room around the perimeter for access on its three sides (or at least just one side and the foot for single beds). Stick to beds with simplistic headboards. Use pedestal stools as a side table for bedrooms tight on space. For dining tables, it’s best to pick a pedestal table with slender legs.

But remember, don’t make everything too small. Picking a lot of small pieces might free up space, but it can give the room a cluttered appearance. Your best choice is to go simple with a few important pieces to keep it organized.

2. Choose pieces that don’t block your view

Choosing clear acrylic or glass furniture items are perfect for creating the illusion of a larger room. Since it looks unobtrusive and the eyes can see through them, it will seem as if the room is more open and less cluttered than it really is. Using bar stools with no backrests and open-back bookshelves do the same thing. The less obstruction, the larger the room seems to be.

3. Make use of the space in the walls and in the corners

As much as possible, tuck your furniture against the walls to avoid occupying precious floor space. Wall-mounted items such as flat screen TVs, mirrors, shelves, and even tables, desks, beds and benches, are your perfect options here. These items clear up floor space, creating an illusion of a bigger area. Use your walls to hang additional storage, hooks or shelving. Make use of the corners by placing a coat hanger or a corner shelf unit or table.

  4. Choose multifunctional furniture

Small living spaces need furniture that has more than one purpose. It comes in many different options and styles, so you can find a look that is perfect for your house. A sofa that doubles as a bed can transform your living room into a guest bed if you have visitors planning to stay the night. There are convertible sofas that have cushions that can be lifted up, so you can store the extra bedding, pillows, and blankets for your guests. Hack secondary storage as much as possible, with your choices of furniture, especially in desks and coffee tables. An ottoman is an easy sitting spot and footrest, but there are some that can double as storage and a coffee table, provided that you put a tray above. Storage benches or trunks can also serve as additional seating or as a coffee table. A small double-decker cart acts as an extra surface for food preparation in the kitchen, which can be moved to the living room to serve drinks or food to guests.

5. Add big mirrors

Mirrors can open up space and reflect more light into the room, making it seem more spacious. Hanging a large mirror instantly makes a small room look bigger. When hung opposite a window, you can maximize its light-boosting power. Try a decorative mirror and hang it over a fireplace (if you have one) instead of hanging artwork. Or, hang it into a large empty wall. If you don’t want to spend too much on mirrors, simply pick two to three full-length mirrors and hang them side by side.