Furniture for Small Spaces

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When it comes to choosing furniture for small spaces it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and to fall into the same old routine of purchasing items that look good in the show room instead of what you actually need and what is appropriate for your small space. Here are a few do’s to keep in mind before you start turning your cramped spaces into cozy rooms. One more thing…. Remember to take the tape measure when you go shopping!

1. Keep furniture low to the ground and choose furniture with legs as this allows for extra storage underneath. Be sure to keep the pieces in proportion to one another and keep the lines straight and simple. Armless parson chairs are a perfect example of furniture with sleek lines.

2. Choose two or three large low profile pieces rather than a bunch of small pieces. Small pieces tend to make the room look cluttered. The space is broken up too much and the eye gets confused when bouncing around from piece to piece. Large pieces allow the eye to move slowing across the room which gives a more spacious feeling.

3. It is best to keep a monochromatic color scheme when choosing upholstery fabric for furniture for small spaces. If you’re not in a financial position to purchase new furniture use slipcovers.

An example of a monochromatic color scheme

4. You may even want to consider painting the furniture a shade of the wall color to make the furniture look as if it has disappeared against the walls.

5. Choose furniture for small spaces that will serve double duty. For example a futon works as a bed by night and a couch by day. A Murphy Bed folds out at night and disappears into the wall during the day. Select a coffee table that doubles as an ottoman. The cushions can easily be removed from the top to reveal a table top with storage for coasters and magazines. A trunkalso makes a great coffee table that allows for beaucoup storage!

6. Wall mounted furniture for small spaces is a great option. It takes up less space and can be a terrific solution for storage. A wall mounted console, wall mounted dining room table, and wall mounted desk are good options for furniture for small spaces. If wall mounting is not a solution for you, consider tables with large leaves that fold out for extra space and fold down when not in use.

7. If you desire a more modern look, choose shiny metal furniture for small spaces. The metal reflects the light and causes it to bounce around the room.

8. If the furniture piece has wheels, all the more functional! By the way, you can add wheels to just about any piece of furniture all by yourself. The castors can be purchased inexpensively at your local home improvement store.

9. When possible, choose furniture for small spaces that allows light to travel through such as a glass table top. You can make one for less than you might think. Choose something interesting and heavy duty with a flat top for the base. Ask a glass company to cut a sheet of tempered glass to your specified dimensions to place on top of the base. This idea works well for a computer desk that must share a room with a bed. Use two shelving units to support each end of a rectangular piece of tempered glass. Voila! There you have it, a stylish desk that lends to the appearance of space and is functional too!

With a little planning, choosing furniture for small spaces can help an otherwise cramped stale room become a comfy retreat.