Small Space Decorating and Organizing Tips

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Do you live in a small space? Whether you live in an apartment or a small house, you know that having enough storage space for all your “stuff” can be a challenge. You may not be a minimalist, and your style may be an eclectic mix of different styles. What do you really need to create an inviting, comfortable, organized space that suits you and your lifestyle?

Small space furniture...

Furniture size...

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen is the use of wrong-size furniture for the space or function. Be careful buying a sofa or dining table from a big showroom because they look a LOT smaller there. Before buying any furniture measure both your space and the furniture.

You don’t have to have all apartment-size or petite furniture though. Sometimes a regular-sized piece of furniture can actually make a space appear larger. (If the space isn’t cluttered up with a lot of other things.)The important thing to remember is that it fits you and your lifestyle. If you and your family are large or tall people, your beds and seating especially need to fit you. The same holds true if you are shorter in stature.

Be careful of proportion...

In my guest suite #1 the new TV was too large for the little white chest of drawers I had. The “new” vintage dresser was the right proportion to the TV and also coordinated with the sofa and chair that was from the same time period.

Quantity of Furniture...

Furniture stores still like to sell whole sets of furniture – the sofa, a loveseat and a chair, or a bed with nightstands, a dresser and a chest of drawers. AVOID those. Choose only the pieces you need. Remember the mantra “less is more.” It’s okay if not everything matches and it can be more interesting. Second-hand furniture can be more affordable and you can slowly develop your own style while saving money and the environment.

Small space layouts & design tips...

If you want a space to look larger:

Use furniture that shows more of the floor. Avoid bulky pieces that sit low to the floor or skirts on anything. Show off those legs!
Round tables are best for saving space.
Pedestal tables also take up less visual space.
Use dining chairs without arms.
If you don’t have children, or mind more high maintenance items, use glass-top tables.
Strategically placed larger mirrors can also expand spaces and reflect more light.
Furniture with a reflective surface can also help make spaces appear larger.
Hang your drapes as close to the ceiling as possible to draw the eye up.
Monochromatic colour schemes make a room appear larger.
Add symmetry with furniture where appropriate.

Furniture placement guidelines...

There are some general guidelines for how much space you need to have for some furniture.

Kitchen/dining chairs need at least 3 1/2 feet around a table to pull out. 1-2 feet more if people need to walk around it while people are sitting there.
There needs to be at least 18″ in front of a sofa or chair and a coffee table or ottoman.
Side tables need to be the same height as the chair or sofa arms.
For a bed that two people are sleeping in, both sides need to be accessible. (Don’t have one side pushed against a wall – unless that person is prone to falling out of bed!) Most rooms will fit a queen -size bed to do this, but you might be out of luck if you prefer king-size.

Choose multi-function items...

There are so many multi-function furniture and accessories these days. By thinking “outside the box” you can also find uses for things that they weren’t originally intended for. Furniture, etc. for a bedroom, living room, dining room, office, etc. can be interchanged in other rooms. Here are a few examples, some of which I’m sure you are already aware of.

A Murphy bed with side cabinets or shelves for storage also folds up when not in use.
Sofa beds, chair beds and futons.
Beds with drawers underneath. Ikea offers several options which you can see here.
Secretary desk in dining area used as a bar or buffet cabinet.
A trunk as a coffee table.
A chest or dresser as a TV stand.
A storage ottoman in place of a coffee table if you like to put your feet up.
A coffee table that lifts up so you can eat or do work there.
Three drawer chest of drawers as night stands.
Floor lamps with built-in shelves or small table top can eliminate the need for an extra side table.
Shelf units can be used as a room divider, store books and baskets of miscellaneous items. I used to use some to hold all my kids footwear by the front door. I’ve also seen some used as the base for a bed.

Decorative accessories & collections...

If you have a collection of things you like to look at, group them together in one artful display.
Pretty boxes and baskets are great for storing little things.
Trays are also good to help keep things organized.
Utilize vertical space with wall shelves or stack pictures.

If you are renovating...

Pocket doors take the least amount of space.
Take advantage of nooks and crannies.
Create recessed shelving between studs in wall.
Use consistent flooring throughout.
Vertical moldings and tile treatment draw the eye up.

Minimize Your clutter...

Maybe I should have mentioned this first. Clutter in small spaces is not only chaotic, but make a space look even smaller. Let go of unwanted items and store as much of your stuff in closed storage solutions. Edit your decor and collections so there is some negative space around your items. This allows the eye to appreciate your treasures. Keep out the items you use every day, if you like, and only display the things you love to look at all the time.

Small Space Decorating and Organizing Tips