Decorating a room with limited space can be tricky. You might want to play with bold colours and striking designs, but you run the risk of tricking the eye into thinking the room is much smaller than it really is. The good news is that decorating a small room doesn’t need to involve knocking down any walls – with a few clever decorating tricks, you can help create the illusion of space and light.
Read on for the easiest ways to create more room in your little living room.
Basic rules for decorating a smaller room
1. The best way to make a small room look a little bigger is to decorate with light, pastel shades. It could be a wall, or it could be your home accessories. The choices are unlimited, just avoid dark, foreboding colours in your design.
2. Clutter is NOT allowed! You need to make the most of your space when it’s limited, so you need to be on your best behaviour where clutter is concerned! A small living room will need to be kept meticulously tidy in order to make the most of the space you have. Everything must be in its proper place! Make the most of floating shelves or alcoves if you have them in order to store those pesky items.
3. Natural light is a great way to make a room feel bigger. In order to do this, keep your window dressings plain and simple. No heavy patterned curtains with net curtains and blinds underneath, keep your windows fresh and open (figuratively speaking!) If you do have curtains, ensure that they can be swept away from the window space. But go for blinds if possible.
4, Introduce a few mirrors and reflective items to make the room look bigger. It’ll also add a touch of glamour too.
Don’t neglect your accessories
Just because you’re working with a smaller living space, doesn’t mean you can’t display your most beloved possessions. You simply have to find a way to display them without restricting your floor space even more. Shelving is a simple way to achieve this – we’re thinking a large, floating shelf above your sofa. This way, your floor space doesn’t have to take a hit. Artwork and memorable family photographs from hellocanvas are ideal to hang on the wall and won’t take up any space on the floor.
Your seating options
If your home is a rather popular place with visitors and family members, you might be tempted to provide them with a secondary sofa to sit on. However, as cosy as you might think it looks, consider investing in some comfortable stools instead. Stools take up less room and can be manoeuvred around easily. They’re less bulky and can be stored anywhere when they’re not in use.
Think function
If you’re working with a small living space, then it’s time to invest in some hard working, functional furniture! We’re thinking a coffee table with storage options, a side table that doubles as a storage bin or magazine holder. Lidded stools are also a popular option and of course, a sofa that folds out into a bed for when guests come to stay.
Post by Mary Lewis
Image: Courtesy of Designecologist on Pexels
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Light colours certainly make a small living room look bigger and brighter. Trying to keep the room clutter free however can be tricky, as you will have the same amount of clutter regardless of the size of your room
I can’t stand a cluttered living room so this is so my style!! Drove me crazy when the girls were younger and we had to have the swing and bouncer and so many things in the room!
Great tips. I implement little things here and there, thank you. I love your blogs.
Thanks, Kim, glad you find the tips helpful.
I also like to use small prints on toss pillows and furniture fabrics. Great post!
Some great tips here, it so difficult decorating small spaces sometimes isn’t it. Love those three cactus on the coffee table!
These are wonderful tips! We will be relocating to New York City in a few months and I am definitely used by your advice. My favorite is the use of mirrors and reflective items as well as the stools to maximize a small space Thank You ❤️
Great tips, particularly like the floating shelves and stools instead of a second setee. Makes so much sense.