Small rooms may seem challenging to decorate for various reasons, such as limited space, poor lighting, or layout restrictions. The real challenge of limited space is to make it look clutter-free and spacious. Hence, it requires proper planning to make the most of every inch of space. With a few simple tips, you can decorate the room stylishly and easily.
There are umpteen ways to design small spaces to maximize the available floor space. For example, wall shelves, certain moody paints, etc, all create an enveloping atmosphere that can make your space beautiful and enjoyable.
This blog discusses a few amazing ideas to help you decorate a small room.
17 Tips That’ll Help You Decorate Your Small Room
Here are some tips you can incorporate to make your small room beautiful -
Consider the Size, Scale, and Proportions
The first and most important step is to get the size, scale, and proportion right. These three factors can pull everything together to make the room look balanced, because in a small room, there is no scope for error.
Before you bring anything inside the room, assess how it will fit - not just physically, but visually, too. Also, ask yourself -
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How will the piece look with other furniture?
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Will it look bulky, small, or out of place?
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Is it too low or too tall as compared to other elements in the room?
When you pick the right size, the proportions and scale will work together. Thus, creating a sense of harmony, even in a tiny space. Give every item in the room a good thought, considering how each piece will perform visually and aesthetically.
Consider the Negative Space
Some homeowners may think you need more furniture in a small room, since every home needs seating, storage, and surfaces to hold things. But most people don’t know this - one of the best features in the room can be the negative space. It is just an open, empty space, and is as important as furnishings. It allows your eyes to rest and lets you move around easily without cluttering the room.
If you incorporate too much furniture, let’s say a sofa, table, cabinets, etc., all in one place, your room will look cramped and chaotic. Instead, add furniture that you actually need, leaving ample floor space. For example, you can opt for a multipurpose couch that works as a sofa, storage, and bed without making the room look bulky.
Choose the Bigger Piece of Furniture - Always!
Always start with one larger piece of furniture as a central anchor to help you choose other pieces to place in the space. For example, in a bedroom, the largest piece is the bed, whereas in the living room, the biggest one is typically the couch.
Once you decide where this goes, the rest will fall into place. In a small space, the largest furniture goes on the longest wall, which helps anchor the space while providing a natural layout. You can consider placing the sofa along the longest wall with a window.
| Tip | When buying a sofa for a small room, consider a slim design for better fitment. |
Go Bold!
The best way to spruce up your small room is to opt for bold decorations, such as warm chocolate or brown tones paired with rich and patterned textiles. Thus, creating a cocooning space that feels enveloped and considered.
Choose One Thing Really Well
Design experts suggest doing one thing well rather than doing several things badly. This is considered the best advice for a small room. So, whenever you set out to decorate a small room, think about the purpose of that one particular space, and then consider how to decorate it. For example, if you are decorating a small bedroom, make your bed the priority.
When choosing the bed, go for a big one and let go of the side tables, as too many things make everything look bulky. On the other hand, if you are setting up your living room, consider buying a comfortable sofa rather than a small, narrow one. Additionally, if you are considering squeezing in an armchair and a table, it is advised not to do so.
Add Patterns
Using patterns in a small space is actually a great idea. If you choose patterned wallpaper, cover all the walls. Though feature walls are trending nowadays, they also make the space look tighter. The pattern along the wall will blur the edges, making the space feel and look bigger.
Use of Narrow Legs
Furniture with narrow legs makes your space look bigger. Tapered legs are considered the best because they look elegant and allow you to have more visible floor. Short, chunky legs are not suitable for a small room, as they make the space feel congested.
Always keep the furniture color light. For example, avoid a dark mahogany table in the middle because it sucks up all the light. Instead, use a glass table, which allows light to reflect throughout the room.
Add Objects to Reflect Light
It is a good idea to let light bounce around the room, as this creates the illusion of a larger space. For this, you can use metal, mirrors, glass, and other reflecting objects. You can use these materials either as an accessory or as an accent. The best part about using them as accessories is that they can be placed throughout the room, so the light keeps bouncing around.
Using these materials makes the space look aesthetically beautiful and pulls everything together, making it feel bigger. You can add a glass frame on the wall, which will reflect more light than a canvas, which absorbs more light, and make the room appear smaller.
Paint the Trims
Trims include architraves, window frames, skirting, picture rails, and more. Rather than painting them beige or white, consider using the same color as your walls. This allows the color to blend beautifully, making the trims disappear. The blend of colors creates blurred edges and lines, making the space feel bigger, calming, soothing, and perfect.
Choose a Low Bed
You’ll often hear that an ensemble bed is the best choice for a smaller bedroom. This is mostly because people think an ensemble bed looks smaller because it lacks a frame, which takes up less visual space. This works sometimes, but the bed would just look like a huge box that runs straight to the floor.
Instead of making the room feel airy and comfortable, a box bed makes it feel heavy and closed. When choosing a bed for your small bedroom, consider the height of the bed and the mattress. This makes the space look comfortable and calm, not chaotic.
Choose One Focal Point
Be it a bedroom, living room, kitchen, or dining room, every room needs one focal point that captures your eye when you walk in. It can be any piece of furniture or decor that grabs attention, as it is that one loud piece in the room. But ensure to keep a single “loud piece”, as multiple loud pieces can make the room overcrowded.
You should be more careful with focal points in a small space, as it is cramped and the room has limited breathing room. If you put too many bold elements, they will be overamplified, and it is very important to include negative space to make it easier on the eyes. So, when you go shopping, think about which focal point is needed: a headboard, a picture frame, or the rug?
Keep the Bedside Lighter
The bedside should look lighter. You don’t have to place a bulky cabinet with 3-4 drawers. Instead, you need something that complements your bed well, without dominating it. The best option is a round bedside table, as furniture with corners can make the room look smaller.
When buying a table, consider the height as well. Avoid getting a taller bedside table and make sure it is the same height as the top of the bed, or slightly lower. It should also not be too thin and flimsy. Also, you can consider a mounted shelf instead of a floor table to maximize available space.
Keep Only One Art Per Room
When decorating your small bedroom, avoid using a headboard if you opt for wall art above the bed. You can consider placing it on the adjacent wall, and don't stress about it. All you need to do is keep the focus on one wall and use a slim frame. This usually feels lighter and less imposing.
Thick canvas and heavy frames, on the other hand, can make the space look compact and tighter. Also, it is advised to avoid cluttering the wall with too many frames. Try placing a maximum of 2 frames adjacent to each other, as they provide breathing room.
Use a Bookcase as Decor and Storage
A simple bookshelf can also be used as storage and decor. It can be used for multiple purposes; for example, you can keep your bags and even your shoes in it. You can get these shelves with or without glass doors, but experts recommend glass doors, as they look absolutely chic.
You can switch out the knobs and replace them with something like a brass one, if it complements the existing decor in the room. If you do not like the glass, you can cover it with wallpaper to hide the stuff kept inside.
Use a Narrow Bench or Ottoman as a Coffee Table
Coffee tables are mostly big and are made for large spaces. So, be sure to measure the space so that you don't get an oversized table for your room. The best option for you is to get a narrow bench that can also serve as a coffee table and ottoman, and decorate it with books and trinkets to warm it up.
You can also add two small, matching stools with a printed pattern to add drama and a fun vibe to the space. If the room cannot accommodate a traditional coffee table, use Moroccan poufs or a stack of small vintage suitcases or trunks.
Add Vintage Pieces Into Your Space
Vintage pieces are much smaller than new-age, modern furniture. A vintage element in a small room can add personality to the space, making it feel layered and homey. Sticking to a matching furniture set or having the same wood tone and finish throughout your room can make it look bland and crowded.
Instead, you can mix and match modern elements with vintage pieces, which add a pop of character to the room. Add a gold bar cart, books on the shelves, a quirky ceramic umbrella stand in the entryway, or hang woven baskets or hats on the wall for texture. You can also consider gold and wood frames of different shapes and sizes.
Mirrors on the Wall
Mirrors act as windows, and if your space feels cramped and does not receive ample sunlight throughout the day. Consider adding an oversized mirror leaning against the wall to open up the room. You can also place the mirror on the wall behind the sofa or the dining table. Additionally, you can place the mirror in the entryway, which creates an open feel in the room.
Paint It White
Most designers may not agree with it, while others say that it can work wonders, especially in white space. An all-white room can feel open and airy, breaking the visual barriers that make the room feel small. Also, white is easy to use and budget-friendly, which visually makes the room feel larger.
