Small Space, Big Impact in Home Design
We all have that one room in our homes that can feel a little “snug.” But improving this vibe is just a matter of making good design choices. Every corner of your home can feel intentional and practical when you know how to work with your layout. With these four design tips, you’ll help each of your rooms achieve that comfortable, spacious look you’re after!
1. Use Appropriately-Sized Furniture
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: Using the right-sized furniture in every room is so important to your overall aesthetic. For example, you need to find a table that complements your breakfast nook or dining room’s total area. This will prevent everyone from bumping elbows at dinner. (And stop chairs from getting backed into the wall.) Conversely, you don’t want to place a table that’s too small. That just ends up wasting space. You might love your grandma’s old dining table, but if it doesn’t fit in your current layout, you can always use it as a desk in another room.
There’s no sense forcing objects into your design when you can find better options. Instead of being stubborn, get practical. Choosing furniture that works with your space keeps the area from feeling too cramped or too sparse. This goldilocks approach takes a critical eye, but it’s well worth the effort. When you can welcome furniture that’s the right size, you’ll suddenly see your entire room in a new light. These choices help you focus on what’s working in the space in terms of comfort, not square footage.
2. Incorporate Great Accent Pieces
Great home décor takes more than just furniture. All of your accent pieces need to be matched to your home’s furnishings, too. Again, size plays a key role. Choose pieces that are too big, and you’ll end up overwhelming your small space. Work with items that are too small, and the entire room will feel off-balance. From your couch cushions to the floor lamps and items on your fireplace mantel, using your artistic eye will help you find the right flow for your space.
Your area rugs can be especially hard to place. Often, they serve as an anchor to your room. Getting their size right helps set the tone for the space as a whole. You also want to pay close attention to the size of artwork on the walls, as well as your curtains. Hanging the curtain rod slightly higher than the window itself can create a helpful illusion that the space is larger than it seems—even for small and cozy family room settings.
3. Get Creative with Form and Function
That tiny spare bedroom may not look like much at first glance, but if you know how to stage it, you could see it become your new favorite get-away in the house. Getting creative with the pieces in the room lets you increase its functionality. Arranging the room with a daybed or hide-a-bed sofa and a desk might make more sense than having a queen-size bed. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to fit a small desk to become a great multi-purpose area for guests, or for yourself!
Small spaces don’t just show up in formal rooms with a door. Your entryway or mudroom probably has some untapped potential of its own. Instead of ignoring these areas, consider upgrading them into small seating areas. You can easily redefine a typical ottoman as a great piece for putting on your shoes before heading out the door. You could also add a couple pillows to change it into a new, cozy reading nook.
4. When in Doubt, Work with the Pros
Sometimes getting these measurements right can take a few attempts. Without enough practice, you may end up repeating the same mistakes from room to room. Fortunately, working with an experienced home designer can help you avoid these missteps so you get stunning results the first time. Whether you’re staging your home to sell or just looking for a fresh update to your home, a designer can help you take stock of your rooms’ best features. After assessing each area as a sort of “blank canvas,” then you find the appropriate furnishings, accent pieces, and creative solutions to every corner of your home.
At Home Matters, our designers love working with all types of home projects! When you have design questions, we have answers. As professional home stagers, we’re great at figuring out what to do with tricky spaces. We’re happy to work with your existing furniture. Or, if you prefer, we can advise you on new pieces to help your home really shine. Check out our Services page to learn more about our design packages, or send us a message to schedule your consultation. We’d love to hear from you!