When arranging furniture in small spaces it’s important to leave space around pieces. This allows the eye to move easily and makes the room feel less crowded.
Another tip is to choose multifunctional furniture when possible. This could be a trunk that doubles as a coffee table or a storage ottoman with hidden seating.
Keep it Simple
One of the most important aspects of furniture arrangement in small spaces is keeping it simple. Clutter closes off visual lines and can make a room feel smaller. Limit the number of items on a table or shelf and use odd numbers for groupings of books, decorative boxes or other objects. For example, three items look more aesthetically pleasing than five.
Don’t hang things that are too small for the space, or they will become lost and compete with the furniture. Similarly, avoid placing too many large pieces of artwork or other sculptural items in the same area. This can also overwhelm the space. Whenever possible, choose clear acrylic or mirror-topped tables and other surfaces to bounce light around the room.
When it comes to furniture, it is always better to go with simplicity and functionality. Avoid oversized pieces that will take up the entire room and instead opt for a sofa with clean lines and a simple silhouette. A good sofa can be the focal point of the room, and it should be positioned against a wall with a fireplace or TV to create an area for entertaining.
Before moving any furniture, make a scaled floor plan of the room and mark the placement of your existing furniture and any new pieces you may be considering. This will give you a sense of the overall layout and help you visualize how the pieces will fit together, which is essential when working with a small space. You can use graph paper or a digital tool to experiment with different layouts until you find the right combination.
Once you have determined the layout of your room, think about the pathways you will need to navigate. Blocking doorways or creating arrangements that require constant stepping around obstacles can make the room feel cramped and claustrophobic. When it comes to walkways, leave at least two feet of space between furniture pieces and maintain clear pathways throughout the room.
Think About the Light
When it comes to furniture arranging in small spaces, symmetry is one of your best friends. By creating symmetrical groups of furniture, you can make the space feel bigger and more comfortable for guests. To achieve a balanced look, make sure to keep your color palette neutral and stick with calming materials.
You should also use lighting strategically. A well-placed lamp, hanging light fixture or recessed lights can help brighten up dark corners and create a sense of depth in your living room. In fact, you can even add a floor mirror to the mix to double the amount of light in the room.
Another tip is to think outside of the box when it comes to seating arrangements. Rather than positioning sofas and chairs against the wall, try placing them on top of a low area like a loveseat or bench. This helps open up the space and can also be a more relaxing way to sit.
As you start assembling your furniture, be sure to measure the dimensions of the room and its furniture. This will help you plan your layout in advance and avoid any surprises down the road. You can even use digital room planners to experiment with different layouts before committing to them.
Once you’ve settled on a layout, don’t forget to consider the flow of traffic in your living room. People should be able to move freely through the space without bumping into each other or tripping over pieces of furniture. For this reason, as outlined by Liliana, it’s a good idea to leave 30 inches of clearance between furniture pieces that need to be able to move easily and 14 to 18 inches between the coffee table and sofa to ensure drinks are within reach.
Finally, you should always take advantage of vertical space in your living room. Adding shelves above your TV can give you more storage for media items without encroaching on the room’s footprint. Additionally, if you’re looking for a more permanent solution, opt for modular storage systems like this ones from The Dormy House that can be built into the walls of your living room for a custom fit.
Think About Pathways
When it comes to furniture arranging in small spaces, you need to think about more than just the placement of the pieces. It’s also important to consider paths through the room and how they work. If a piece of furniture blocks the flow of traffic to a door or walkway, it’s time to move the piece elsewhere.
A narrow room poses challenges for a living space, but you can work around these constraints with clever planning and multipurpose furnishings. Start with the largest piece—usually a sofa—and orient it towards one of the room’s focal points, like a fireplace or window. Then place a smaller secondary seating area, such as a chair and side table, in the nook behind the couch. You can even add a desk to make the zone into an office or reading nook.
Don’t let awkward alcoves or nooks go to waste in your furniture arrangement—those are prime spots for storage and hidden extras. Look up instead of out for extra shelving, a hidden bookcase, or a wall hung hanging organizer.
A pass-through space such as a dining room or foyer is another tricky area to navigate, but it’s possible to create a clear visual path and a feeling of openness with a well-thought-out plan. Begin by determining where the bulk of your furniture will be, which is often indicated with an area rug. Next, figure out how you’ll use the space and where you’ll place other items, such as a coat rack or table lamps. Lastly, decide how you’ll hang items like art or mirrors, and ensure they are proportional to the furniture. If you’re hanging a piece of artwork above your sofa, for example, it should be about two-thirds the width of the sofa. Otherwise, the piece might feel out of balance and overpower the sofa.
Think About Storage
When living in a small space, having the right storage solutions is crucial. If your space is lacking in storage, it can be difficult to keep things looking neat and tidy. The good news is, there are plenty of creative ways to make the most of your space. Whether it’s a bookcase or a storage ottoman, there is sure to be the perfect solution for your small living room.
If you want to make the most of your space, it is important to think about how you will be using the room before arranging the furniture. It is also a great idea to create clear pathways. This will prevent people from tripping over furniture and will make the space feel more open. Make sure that there are a couple of feet between each piece of furniture and that there is no furniture blocking doors, windows or electrical outlets.
Another way to increase the sense of space in your small space is to use mirrors. Not only will they reflect light around the room, but they can also make the room look bigger and brighter. Choosing mirrors in the same tone as your walls will help to create the illusion of a larger room, and they can be used to highlight key design features, such as a fireplace or interesting architectural details.
Rather than having furniture that sits flush against the wall, try to add some pieces that will float. This will allow you to get more storage space and will also make the space feel bigger. If you are unsure about how to achieve this, consider working with a professional interior designer to create a floor plan. They will be able to help you to find the perfect solution for your small living room and will be able to recommend the best options for your home.
It is also a good idea to avoid heavy fabrics when deciding on your furniture for your small space. It is better to choose lighter-weight fabrics, such as cottons and linens, which will be more breathable. This will also allow for more air circulation, which can help to reduce the odor of cigarette smoke and other unpleasant smells.
