Large furniture in a small room
How to Fit Large Furniture in Small Spaces
Whether you live in a studio apartment, have a house that just happens to fall on the smaller side, or have fully embraced tiny house living, it can be a challenge trying to fit in all of your furniture. Whether you have large pieces that you just can’t part with—like your grandmother’s china cabinet—or you have an affinity for sectional sofas, there really is a way to fit everything in. It just takes a bit of thought and planning. Here are six ways to use large furniture in a small space.
If you aren’t sure that coffee table will fit in the room, it’s important to measure it. Use a measuring tape and be realistic. Remember, you still need space to move around.
If you need a better visual, the Wayfair app has a View in Room 3D feature which will allow you to place a virtual piece of furniture in the room. You can even take a photo of the finished room and save it to reference later. Oh, and did we mention it’s free?
If you need additional help, you can consider using Modsy which is a virtual room design service starting at just $79. They have professionals who can help you choose new pieces and work with what you already have to make sure everything fits.
An L-shaped or sectional sofa can be incredibly useful in a large family home. But it can leave a smaller living room or apartment looking rather cramped. So, look for slightly scaled down versions of large pieces.
For example, Restoration Hardware’s Italia Chesterfield Sofa is available in lengths from six to ten feet. While the RH Teen Kensington Upholstered Sofa is just 5.83 feet long. When square footage is low, those few inches can make a big difference. And don’t be fooled by the RH Teen Line, it’s just as sophisticated (and a whole lot less expensive) than the regular line.
You can easily use larger pieces in a small space if they serve a particular purpose. For example, if your home lacks closet space, go ahead and buy that large armoire. If it has lots of shelves or a hanging rod, it will serve you well.
CB2’s Astoria Armoire is a striking piece that can make up for a lack of closet space and drawers in a bedroom or even store an off-season wardrobe in your living room.
Storage ottomans are also a great option and can hide everything from books to linens and even shoes. The Movie Storage Ottoman by CB2 is 44 inches wide with plenty of room to comfortably put your feet up and keep a tray for snacking or to hold remotes.
If you’re short on space, skip the entertainment center. Unless it has a lot of drawers, it will just take up too much space. Mount your television on the wall instead. Then install a floating shelf underneath to hold your cable boxes and smart devices.
Large side tables are another space waster. Choose a larger coffee table with a bottom shelf or drawers instead. Ditto for a large desk without drawers.
Do you prefer to sleep on a king sized bed but think you will only have room for a queen? King and queen sized beds are surprisingly the same length (80 inches long) with a 16 inch difference in the width (60 vs 76 inches). So, depending on the size of the room, you just may be in luck.
But, if choosing a king-sized bed means losing room for a nightstand, consider mounting sconces on the walls instead. The room will look complete without feeling cramped.
A fixture like the Adirondack Sconce from Hudson Valley Lighting Group will appear proportional next to a large bed or headboard.
Another option is to use a floating nightstand such as the Delanee Floating Nightstand from Lulu and Georgia.
If a large bed frame eliminates space for a dresser, a storage bed such as the Kelly Upholstered Storage Bed from The Novogratz, can make up the difference.
The One Thing a Designer Would Never Do in a Small Space
7 Outdated Rules You Can Break
White walls. Downsized furniture. Unadorned surfaces. Style tips like these make decorating small spaces a bore.
The following seven homes break every guideline in the less-is-more rulebook. Each micro space proves when done right, you don't need a lot of square footage to create a home that's brimming with style.
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01 of 08
Stylish Tips for Decorating Small Spaces
kimlewisdesigns. com
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02 of 08
Scale Down Your Furniture
House of HoneySometimes a single piece of bulky furniture will add a lot of appeal to a small space.
Stuffing the tiny nook shown here with several pieces of small-scale furnishings would make it feel cramped and crowded.
However, filling most of this space with a large sectional sofa makes this compact living room very inviting.
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03 of 08
More Is More
Ikea FamilyFrench blogger Éléonore Bridge transformed her 377-square-foot crash pad into a stylish home by embracing a more-is-more décor theme.
How did she pull this look together? Walls and furniture in soft shades set the stage for her colorful wall art, curios, and home accessories.
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04 of 08
Paint Ceilings a Light Color
kimlewisdesigns.comDark ceilings can add depth to a small bright space with white walls. The trick to making this work is using a satin or semi-gloss paint that reflects light. Unlike a flat dark color, one with a sheen will keep your space feeling bright.
How to Paint a Ceiling
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05 of 08
Use a Single Area Rug to Anchor a Room
West Elm / Old Brand NewWhen done right, rugs can create different zones in a small room. This 100-square-foot space uses a large rug to establish the living room, and a smaller one to carve out the home office.
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06 of 08
Paint Walls White
Apartment TherapyDark walls can add architectural interest to a small space when paired with features in a contrasting light shade.
This stylish kitchen offsets dramatic black walls with a white ceiling and cabinetry. White paint creates the illusion of molding around the door's edges and the top of the walls.
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07 of 08
Dining Furniture Should Match
stadshem.seA matching dining set does look pulled together. But if you want to make a bold, stylish statement, a mismatched set like the one shown here has a big wow factor.
To pull off this look, you'll need to make sure that the chairs you pick are the correct seating height for the table you're using.
To create a bohemian vibe, use an eclectic mix of seats as shown here. For a clean, and contemporary look, keep all the chairs the same style, with each one being a different color.
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08 of 08
Recessed Lighting Make Small Spaces Appear Bigger
IkeaRecessed ceiling light fixtures enhance small spaces without taking up precious floor or vertical space. However, layering your lighting will let you add brightness and style to where you want it.
As shown here, an oversized pendant shade gives this tiny living room a beautiful focal point while illuminating the coffee table. The floor lamp on the right is for reading. The two small table lamps in the middle provide this tiny room with a diffused decorative light.
The Best Colors for Small Space Decorating
Large furniture in a small room
Every owner of an apartment of modest size knows the old principle, proven by the experience of many people: you cannot furnish a small room according to the scheme that works with large ones. We are used to giving preference to compact pieces of furniture, we are looking for transforming samples. You will be surprised, but even in very small spaces, full-size sofas, cabinets and armchairs can work great. Often, this approach provides an even greater visual increase in space.
By opting for full-sized pieces of furniture, but keeping the principle of simplicity of form and conciseness of decor, you can create a very relaxed, comfortable and cozy interior in any small room. A great example is this wide, simple sofa in neutral gray.
If you are limited in horizontal space, be sure to pay attention to the verticals! Working with vertical lines is a great way to add missing decor details, such as a tall flower in a pot, it gives the interior a fresh touch and perfectly continues the theme of the traditional style set in this room.
Please note that the walls in all the interiors presented in this article look very concise, they are light and have a simple texture. This is an important point, because this approach allows you to visually slightly erase the boundaries of the room and switch attention to the available stylish and bright accessories.
When working with low ceilings, most people make the same mistake: they pick only very compact low furniture. This is wrong, because in a room designed in this way, even a person who does not suffer from claustrophobia will feel uncomfortable. Instead, use small floor-standing items (such as ball-shaped lamps) in the lower tier of the room, and then dilute them as high as possible, such as this elegant floor lamp.
If the room has an elongated shape, it is narrow and long, do not try to divide it into several square zones, it is better to focus on the pluses, namely, on a wide space at least in one direction. Install a full-fledged sofa, because when you watch TV or read a book, the distance from wall to wall is not so important to you.
In small cozy corners, it is also good to use the maximum capacity of furniture, for example, a full-size sofa instead of a small chair. This technique will create the effect of a full-fledged place to relax.
In confined dining areas, a wall-length bench with cushions is ideal, while a group of chairs only adds to the feeling of cramped space.
If you need more seats in the dining area, add a couple of chairs to the sofa, but only choose the most elegant and "light" visually. Elegant forging is very well suited, such chairs will decorate the interior, but will not overload the space.
The described approach in the selection of furniture works great in the living room area. Let it be one sofa, but it should be full-sized, very comfortable and quite strict in design. Do not overload an already small room with extra armchairs and chairs, as a last resort, if you need to accommodate a large number of guests, you can always bring chairs from the kitchen.
Try to focus on the strengths of the room layout, if the ceilings are quite high, emphasize them with a bright art object in the entire height of the wall.
These large paintings that take up half the wall are perfect for small spaces. Thus, you will deceive the visual perception of the room, it will seem much wider and more spacious.
20 simple tricks - INMYROOM
Interior decor
Tiny kitchen, low ceilings, limited options - you can discuss the disadvantages of small spaces for a long time. We have chosen 20 tricks with which to transform a small space, as easy as shelling
Tiny kitchen, low ceilings, cramped space and limited design options - you can discuss the disadvantages of small spaces for a long time. But talking about ways to solve these problems seems endless. Today we have chosen 20 main techniques for visually modeling a room, with the help of which it is easy to transform a space constrained by a small footage!
Tip #1: Choosing the Right Curtains
When choosing curtains, make sure they match the color of the walls. A similar color scheme will help to make the space more voluminous. In addition, the curtains should not be too thick and heavy. It is best to combine roller blinds and light cotton tulle or curtains.
Technique #2: More natural light
Don't use your window sill as a bookshelf and don't plant flowers on it. Glasses should always be clean: even the smallest room filled with light looks cozy and airy.
Reception No. 3: furniture with legs is a must-have
A sofa or a bed, a coffee table, a chest of drawers, a wardrobe - all furniture should “hover” above the floor, and not grow into it.
Technique #4: Organize the House
Consider storage systems, always put your shoes and clothes away. Refuse the abundance of sofa cushions and accessories so that they, in turn, do not create a sense of chaos.
Technique #5: Neutral colors are the main ones
Pastel light walls are your choice. Choose warm, light colors to decorate the background - walls, ceiling, floor and overall furniture.
Technique #6: Use bespoke tailoring
Do not neglect textiles to order or sew pillow covers, curtains and tablecloths yourself. A single style and color in the textile design of the house helps to visually expand the space.
Technique #7: Multifunctional Furniture
Opt for multifunctional furniture: an armchair-bed, a folding kitchen table, a closet in which the bed is stored, chairs on wheels - the space of small rooms should not be static.
Technique #8: Using mirrors
Mirrors placed in front of a window visually make the space more spacious. Make wardrobe doors or doors mirrored and the room will look much larger.
Technique #9: balance in the choice of furniture
A few dimensional interior items will help visually increase the space. For example, a wide corner sofa can take up half of the room, but if the rest of the furniture is smaller, then the room will look larger in contrast.
Trick #10: Use Ceiling Height
A very simple and functional trick is floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or cabinets. They seem huge, but along with them, the room itself seems larger and higher.
Technique No. 11: Enlarge the window opening with curtains
Hang a wide cornice as close to the ceiling as possible: curtains to the floor will look elegant and visually make the window wider and taller.
Technique #12: Tidy Shelves
Leave some space on the shelves so you can create a sense of harmony and give the room a spacious look. It is better to put heavy books on the lower shelves, and place photographs, trinkets dear to the heart or candles at eye level.
Technique #13: Don't place furniture along the walls
This looks outdated and, contrary to popular belief, does not contribute to the visual expansion of the room. Don't be afraid to place a table or sofa across or even in the middle of the room. Create a cozy functional space, not a dance floor. Then you will stop paying attention to crowding and will just enjoy being at home.
Technique #14: Emphasizing the Walls
Highlighting one or more walls with a more saturated color will create the volume that small rooms lack. You can also use floral print wallpaper or decorative plaster.
Technique #15: Bright Ceiling
One of the biggest myths about small rooms is that the ceiling should always be white. This is not true. Paint the ceiling a darker and brighter color and you will be surprised how much more spacious the room will appear.
Technique #16: Striped Floor
This is a bold but very effective solution. The striped floor will create the feeling of an infinitely long or, conversely, wide room.
Technique #17: Place transparent furniture
Glass table and chairs made of high-quality resins in a transparent color are the perfect solution for small rooms. Even dimensional pieces of furniture look weightless and visually do not clutter up an already small space.
Technique #18: More Lights
Lighting should be varied. Spot lighting of paintings, a lamp above the table, sconces on the walls - this is a great solution for small rooms. It is better if the light is directed upwards - so the ceilings will visually appear higher.