Hi friends! I’m back with the third installment of my “You Asked, I Answered” series! It’s been a hot minute since my first two posts in this series about throw pillow combinations and bedroom rugs. Today, we’re tackling how to design a small space! For me, small space design is really all about storage!
Read on below for my top 4 design tips to create a functional small space!
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1. Buy scale appropriate furniture
This was a living room design I did for a friend who just bought their first condo! A few things to note about this design in relation to a small space:
- I picked a sectional that wouldn’t overpower the space. Sectionals are a great way to get more seating into a tight area, but you don’t want it to take over the room! It has to be proportional to the size of the room and also the other furniture going into that space. Another item to note is depth and height. The wider and higher a sectional is, the clunkier it can look (sometimes this is totally appropriate, like a large bonus space or media room!). The chaise end of the right side of this sectional really helps to keep the room feel “open.” I also like staying with lighter fabrics and colors in smaller spaces to keep everything feeling bright, airy, and open. That’s not to say that a dark accent wall or moody office or bathroom won’t work great though!
- I wanted to add an accent chair as the living room had enough space for some other type of seat and since the sectional isn’t that large, I did want another place for someone to sit! This leather chair turned out to be perfect! It’s on the smaller end for a chair but it really matches the scale of the sectional. (And I’ve been told it’s really comfortable!).
2. Use furniture with built-in storage
In the design above, the end table and coffee table (which my friends already had) both have drawers in them. In a small space, you want to pack storage in wherever you can (tastefully)! Generally, closet space is at a premium in apartments and condos, but you don’t want to have a bunch of cabinets everywhere!
Another great place to add storage is in the entryway or hallway console tables. There are tons of tables out there with drawers or you can go for even more storage with something like the above picture. A great way to do this and not feel like you are just adding more cabinets (like I mentioned you want to avoid) is to pick light colored furniture with some sort of texture or visual element. This cabinet has a woven front which makes it feel lighter than if it was all one solid piece of wood!
3. Multi-functional decor
Make your decor work for you! You can find tons of cute decor that also serves a functional purpose so that you can display it but also use it practically!
In my butler’s pantry (check out my original butler’s pantry decor in my reveal here, I think it’s come quite a ways from where it started!), I added a mint toaster and a bread box. Typically, I do not like to keep ANY appliances out on the counter, but when it’s this cute, why not! Plus we use it almost every day (my husband’s reason for why we should keep all appliances out….) Side note: I do also keep my KitchenAid mixer out for the same reason – it’s pretty and also very large to store. I saw the bread box and just had to have it – and it makes total sense right by the toaster!
A bar cart is another great way to have some fun with decor but also a practical storage solution! They are a great place to display and store your liquor and glasses! Plus, you can make your drinks right on the top of the bar cart if you are lacking in counter space!
4. Decorating a small space: Less is more!
Lastly, keep in mind that when you are decorating a small space, less decor is often more impactful! It tends to look more thoughtful and can really let you make better use of the space. Again, you want to make sure your decor is proportional to your overall room, wall, and furniture size. A clutter free area definitely will make your spaces feel bigger!
I hope this helps if you are designing or decorating an apartment, condo, or other small space! By following these tips, you’ll have a great looking space in no time!
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