How to Furnish a Small Living Space
If the “tiny home” craze across TV screens and Instagram feeds has taught us anything, it’s that big design can happen in the smallest of living quarters. Whether you live in an actual tiny home or just a small apartment, here are some tips on decorating small spaces to help you create the home of your dreams. No matter how small your home (or how big your dreams).
Bring on the Light
So that you won’t feel like you’re living in a hovel, make use of natural lighting and add plenty of light sources in every room. Don’t be afraid to combine decorative ceiling fixtures with floor lamps and table lamps to brighten the atmosphere and make the room appear larger than it is.
Clear the Floors
While you want to add style and character to your living space, it’s important not to overdo it, or your home will quickly become cluttered. Try to keep furniture away from walls to avoid a cramped feeling. Floating shelves and nightstands are preferable to pieces that take up floor space. They are also ideal places for stowing away objects and keeping them out of view. And if you like the idea of floating, consider getting a hanging chair so even your feet don’t clutter the floor space.
Hang Mirrors
Another way to make a space appear bigger is with mirrors. Pick a focal point, and angle mirrors toward it to add more depth. If you don’t have much natural light, mirrors will reflect the light you do have to brighten the room.
Add Bold Colors
Just because you have a small space doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it. Painting your walls in a bold color or adding colorful accents throughout the space can be a daring touch to reflect your own artistic vision or personality. Just make sure the color palette is limited, so your small space doesn’t become a busy one. Stick with a distinct color scheme for each room.
Experiment with Scale
Just like color, choosing a bold design piece such as a larger-than-life lamp can add an interesting touch to a room. Low seating gives the impression of taller ceilings. And an ornate chandelier or plush velvet sofa in a relaxed sitting area adds an air of extravagance. But make sure you don’t sacrifice comfort when making bold furniture choices. Small spaces are made all the more inviting when they’re cozy.
Get Arty
Expand or accentuate the height of the room with strategically placed artwork. Empty walls offer endless possibility to add style to a small space, whether you choose to create a gallery wall of mismatched picture frames or opt for large-scale art for a dash of vibrancy. You might even choose more natural showpieces such as wall-mounted planters to bring nature to your living space. Another useful trick for a small space is to place multi-functional items throughout the home, like this petal clock, which doubles as an eye-catching art piece.
To make your small space Instagram-worthy, browse Kardiel’s collections of mid-century modern furniture.
Erica Garza is an author and essayist. Her work has appeared in TIME, Health, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, The Telegraph and VICE. She lives in Los Angeles.
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