Decorating
Decorating: Use Full-sized Furniture to Make a Small Space Feel Larger
With a less-is-more approach, going for a few larger pieces rather than many smaller ones can make a room feel bigger
In today’s furniture market, ‘compact’ furniture is a common solution for modern small-space living. But I believe you can often achieve the biggest impact, and the most satisfying results, with a less-is-more approach. Rather than choosing smaller furnishings, indulging in a few full-scale (or even over-sized) pieces can create the look of a full-size space without compromising.
Wall treatments
Notice how all the rooms in this article have simple wall treatments. That means the background is not the emphasis. Simple wall treatments help dramatic furnishings look like big items in an open space by reducing the emphasis on how tight they are to the walls.
Notice how all the rooms in this article have simple wall treatments. That means the background is not the emphasis. Simple wall treatments help dramatic furnishings look like big items in an open space by reducing the emphasis on how tight they are to the walls.
Low ceilings
The natural tendency in a space with a low ceiling can be to try to shrink everything to avoid drawing attention, but this can make the overall effect even more tight and claustrophobic. Instead, try balancing some low-level pieces (like globe lights on the floor and a low-backed sofa) with some very tall items, like an over-sized floor lamp, using every inch of the height that is available.
This is especially effective under a slanted ceiling, because putting a light a few feet from the wall can take advantage of the extra headroom and draw attention away from the point where the ceiling is at its lowest.
The natural tendency in a space with a low ceiling can be to try to shrink everything to avoid drawing attention, but this can make the overall effect even more tight and claustrophobic. Instead, try balancing some low-level pieces (like globe lights on the floor and a low-backed sofa) with some very tall items, like an over-sized floor lamp, using every inch of the height that is available.
This is especially effective under a slanted ceiling, because putting a light a few feet from the wall can take advantage of the extra headroom and draw attention away from the point where the ceiling is at its lowest.
Narrow rooms
In a very tight tunnel-shaped room, rather than breaking the space into multiple micro-zones, embrace the length and fit in one full-size sofa. When you’re watching TV or reading a book, you won’t mind that the sofa faces a wall (while you stretch out and appreciate the extra lounging space), and when simply passing through, you will notice that the space looks extra long.
In a very tight tunnel-shaped room, rather than breaking the space into multiple micro-zones, embrace the length and fit in one full-size sofa. When you’re watching TV or reading a book, you won’t mind that the sofa faces a wall (while you stretch out and appreciate the extra lounging space), and when simply passing through, you will notice that the space looks extra long.
Cosy nooks
In a tight nook, rather than using a single chair, fit in a chaise, sofa or built-in bench that takes up as much width as possible and dress it with a few large pieces instead of busy clutter. This way the area will read as a large nook instead of a small room.
Browse 9 beautiful reading nooks
In a tight nook, rather than using a single chair, fit in a chaise, sofa or built-in bench that takes up as much width as possible and dress it with a few large pieces instead of busy clutter. This way the area will read as a large nook instead of a small room.
Browse 9 beautiful reading nooks
Another way to maximise a dining nook is to use a wide sofa to make the big statement, and pair it with visually open chairs or stools that won’t draw the focus. This will give you enough seats for guests as well as a plush spot in which to curl up for your daily meals.
Seating areas
The same logic of dining seating applies to the living room as well: one large, continuous seat will give you a comfortable place to stretch out on every day. Several compact chairs (which can be pulled from the dining area when needed) or a plush ottoman can maximise seating when you have company.
Notice how in this room, space for end tables was traded for more seating space – worth it when you need that afternoon nap.
The same logic of dining seating applies to the living room as well: one large, continuous seat will give you a comfortable place to stretch out on every day. Several compact chairs (which can be pulled from the dining area when needed) or a plush ottoman can maximise seating when you have company.
Notice how in this room, space for end tables was traded for more seating space – worth it when you need that afternoon nap.
Large art
In general, using fewer, large pieces creates a look that says you had lots of room to work with, rather than less than you wanted, and this is especially important on vertical surfaces (as the eye notices these first).
In general, using fewer, large pieces creates a look that says you had lots of room to work with, rather than less than you wanted, and this is especially important on vertical surfaces (as the eye notices these first).
Using large art (and simple window treatments) will make the walls seem more spacious than a clutter of many small pieces or busy patterns.
So go ahead, shop at the full-sized furniture store and find a home for those pieces you fall in love with. By sticking to your big ambitions, you’ll get the most from your small space – no compromises necessary.
TELL US…
Do you have a small space? How do you make it feel larger? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
So go ahead, shop at the full-sized furniture store and find a home for those pieces you fall in love with. By sticking to your big ambitions, you’ll get the most from your small space – no compromises necessary.
TELL US…
Do you have a small space? How do you make it feel larger? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Filling unused vertical space is a great way to get major impact in a room without shrinking the usable floor area. One large, leafy plant like this fiddle-leaf fig in a corner of the room doesn’t interfere with traffic flow but makes the room feel sophisticated and lively (while helping the background visually float away).
Check out 8 health benefits of house plants