Decorating a small space presents both a challenge and an opportunity. It is the opportunity to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics within a limited space, ensuring that every inch of the room counts.
Thoughtful use of color, strategic arrangement of furniture, and careful use of decor are some ideas you can use to enhance your small spaces to make them feel more spacious but also cozy and inviting. Whatever your exact approach, the main idea is to embrace creativity in the design of the room and use the limitations of a small space to create something truly unique.
No matter if you have a studio apartment or just want to revamp your extra small bedroom, these ideas for decorating small rooms can help you make the most of the space you have.
Understand How Color Impacts the Feel of the Room
Most decorating articles will advise you to paint your small room white or other light colors to maximize the airy feel of the space. This method works well if that is the look you want to achieve because light colors reflect more light and increase the sense of openness and spaciousness in your small room.
Dark colors, such as deep blues, greens, and grays, can, however, work well in small rooms to add depth and coziness. While dark colors can make a room feel smaller, they also provide a dramatic, enveloping effect that adds warmth and personality. The key is to understand the atmosphere you want to create before you choose a color palette for your small room.
Maximize the Use of Vertical Space
Maximizing vertical wall space is an essential design element for making the most of small spaces. You can use this vertical space for storage by installing tall shelving units, cabinets, or wall-mounted storage to free up valuable floor space.
Store books, plants, and decor that will add texture, color, and depth to your space, or install functional coat and bag hooks to keep them accessible and organized. Even if you do not need the storage, options like this, as well as oversized wall art or gallery walls, can draw the eye upward and make the space feel larger.
Choose Multi-Functional Furniture
Selecting multi-functional furniture will allow you to use fewer pieces overall. Options like a sofa that converts into a bed or a dining table that becomes your desk can help you make even the tiniest living quarters more functional. This does not mean that you have to compromise on style.
There are many great options for double-duty furniture, such as sofa beds, storage ottomans, extendable dining tables, Murphy beds, storage coffee tables, desk/bookshelf combos, and stool/side tables. When purchasing multi-functional furniture, it is best to choose high-quality pieces that will last for many years in their dual capacities.
Utilize Floating Furniture When Possible
Floating furniture options, like desks, dining tables, nightstands, and consoles, have no legs and are mounted directly on the wall. Like vertical storage, floating furniture frees up floor space, giving you more room to move around the room. Because there is more visible floor space, furniture mounted above the floor tricks the eye, giving the impression that the room is larger. These pieces have the added benefits of helping the room to look less cluttered and being easier to clean around.
Even if you don’t want to use furniture that is mounted to the walls, utilizing pieces that have visible space below can make the room feel less heavy and more spacious.
Install Mirrors
Mirrors are lovely in any setting, but they are especially useful in small rooms because they make cramped spaces appear larger. Mirrors reflect the surrounding area and light, brightening a room and reflecting views that add depth to a small space.
Mirrors, in particular, placed next to or across from a window will significantly increase the amount of light and create a sense of open space. Choosing a mirror that resembles a work of art will not only enhance the style of a small room but will also draw attention away from its size. Even though it may seem counterintuitive, large mirrors can be stunning and dramatic in small rooms.
Create Distinct Zones
It might feel more natural to design a small room as one complete open area, but it is often more effective to create distinct zones, particularly in areas that are multi-functional. By defining zones for various activities, like working, resting, and eating, you can make the entire room feel more purposeful. In addition, it can help to organize the layout of the room and guarantee that every task has a designated area for optimal performance.
You can create distinct room zones through strategic furniture placement, rugs, and thoughtful lighting design. For example, placing a small rug under a desk can define it from the larger living room space, while a lamp over a chair will create the look of a cozy reading nook.
Optimize Underutilized Nooks
Small nooks and corners are often overlooked in room designs because they do not appear large enough to be useful, but in small rooms, this space is especially valuable. With a little imagination, you can turn these underutilized nooks and crannies into functional spaces. Challenge yourself to think creatively and see each small space in a new light so that you can adapt it to better meet your needs.
For example, a small alcove can be converted into a small office space, or a corner can be turned into a reading nook. Even a window sill can be used to store books, plants, or other small decorative items.
Keep the Layout Flexible
Flexibility is essential in small rooms because the space often has to serve multiple people and purposes. With this in mind, arrange your furniture in a way that allows it to be easily moved for other activities or functions.
Aside from your large, staple pieces, select some lightweight and modular options that you can move around if guests arrive or you need to reconfigure the room for another event. Foldable desks and collapsible chairs can be stored when not in use. Stools or poufs that can be stored below a coffee table can be pulled out to provide additional seating in the room.
Prioritize Wall and Ceiling Mounted Lighting
In small spaces, floor space is limited, so using wall- and ceiling-mounted lights to free up space is an effective strategy. In contrast to floor lamps, wall sconces, pendant lights, chandeliers, and recessed lighting provide ample illumination while taking up little floor space.
This idea not only maximizes floor space, but it also contributes to a cleaner, less cluttered appearance. The use of wall- or ceiling-mounted lights also results in fewer table lamps, freeing up table space for other room essentials.
Keep Surfaces Clear
Maintaining clear surfaces is a good practice in all rooms, but it is especially vital in small room spaces. Crowded surfaces like countertops, coffee tables, desks, nightstands, and dressers can make a small room feel chaotic and visually overwhelming.
Make minimalism a priority by displaying only essential or meaningful items on your surfaces. Use convenient storage solutions such as baskets, bins, trays, and drawers to keep your other items organized and out of the way while still being easily accessible. Decluttering on a regular basis is essential for maintaining your clear surfaces.
Use Large Rugs
Contrary to popular belief, large rugs will make a small room appear larger and more cohesive than an undersized rug. A large rug can anchor a given area and create a sense of unity. Choose a rug that extends beneath the legs of the furniture in a specific area rather than one that exposes the floor. This does not preclude the use of smaller rugs to define specific areas; rather, it simply means that each area should be assigned an appropriate rug size.
Vary the Size of Your Furniture
Some design advice for small rooms may include using small-scale furniture to ensure that there is enough open space in the room. While it is critical to leave open spaces for the eye to rest, that does not mean you should never use large pieces in a small room. Using large, statement pieces can help the space feel more grounded, dynamic, and thoughtfully designed.
For example, pairing a slim coffee table with a substantial sofa will keep the room from feeling boring or underdecorated. Choose your pieces carefully while keeping your space in mind. Make sure to measure the room to ensure that all of your desired furniture will fit. Drawing a physical model of your room and laying out different furniture options can help you plan the best arrangements of large and small pieces before purchasing them.
