Making Furniture Work in Small Spaces
Remember your first apartment? It was probably just a hair bigger than a shoe box. If you had room for a washing machine it probably doubled as a food preparation area, or additional storage above it.
How about your counter space? It might have been a few feet square if you were lucky, with barely any room to cool Christmas cookies but somehow you made it work.
Let’s talk briefly about making small spaces work with furniture.
1. What’s your focal point?
A lot of people focus their furniture around a television, as if it’s the center of attention in a room. And it most likely is: movie night, election headquarters, holiday shows, baking competitions, watching people find love on reality dating shows. But a large window overlooking a park, or a fireplace are also great focal points in a room to center your furniture around.
2. Don’t be a wall-hugger
(if you can manage it)
Grandma’s couch was always along the longest wall in the living room for so long that there was discoloration on her walls that were last painted a half-century ago. If you have a large enough room, move your furniture out from walls to create new walking paths. In reality it creates a cozy conversation area.
3. Neutral colors create illusions
Rooms painted in lighter colors create the illusion of more space. They just look bigger. Use neutral colors on the walls and in the furniture choices themselves. Colors such as white, cream, tan, and gray matched with subtle touches of color or pattern in throw pillows, blankets, or wall art.
4. Small furniture can be comfortable
A pair of armchairs is an inviting appeal in a room making the visitor want to come, sit, and talk for a while. Other design elements can be smooth lines, thin chair or table legs, to make the area not feel crowded. Get creative with a thin floor lamp, and a narrow coffee table. And if it is a larger couch you’re looking to sink in to, then opt in for a love seat, or a chair with chaise. There are some excellent mid-century pieces that just scream comfortable while preserving the charm of a small-room. Always prioritize function over form.
5. Less is more in open concept living rooms
If the room has multiple functions, or is open concept, then less is more. Use a few pieces of furniture as possible to differentiate one room from another. This could be a small sectional, or a love seat with chaise, a large rug and a smaller coffee table. Don’t cram large pieces of furniture together in a small space. Using few big pieces in a small space makes a room appear cozy and not cramped.
6. Furniture with more than one use
Multi-functional furniture is on the rise. From the COVID days to today, people are still either working from home, or have a hybrid schedule, and find themselves jumping from room to room to find comfort, or a change of atmosphere. Some coffee tables can double as a desk area with a riser, an ottoman can be comfortable footrest, a game table, or a coffee table when provided with a flat surface like a tray to rest drink glasses on. There are even some end tables that triple as a table, built-in light and charging station, and book/magazine storage. Why buy multiple pieces of furniture when you can have an all-in-one!
7. Living with your stuff
We have a lot of stuff, that’s no lie. Instead of hiding it in closets or letting it spill out into your rooms, choose a practical storage space for belongings. A bookcase with a cabinet, tall open cubbies with concealed storage boasts character and function while hiding away things that are more of an eyesore such as movie discs and games. Your stuff is still there, it’s just neatly packed away.
