Small Apartment Furniture Layout Secrets

Contrary to popular belief, small apartment furniture is not always the best solution for a small space. In fact, a few scattered pieces of tiny furniture in a small apartment can actually have the opposite effect, making the space look even smaller. Instead, opt for a few well-selected, heavier (but not overwhelming) pieces, coupled with other more compact pieces to give your space a more balanced look. There are many good options for small space furniture, and they don’t have to be small.

The Living Room

A good place to start your design strategy for studio apartment furniture is in the living room, which is where many of us spend the most time. You want this space to work well, have “motion” and an easy flow. Furniture with rounded corners works best in smaller living rooms because they allow for easier movement throughout the space, eliminating your chances of getting “poked” as you walk around the table. Square corners also give the effect of space that stops and starts as opposed to space that flows easily.

The best piece of furniture to start with is the couch, which is a good centerpiece for the living area. You don’t need to purchase a full-sized couch. A solid love-seat that seats two or a compact couch that accommodates up to three people is a great choice for a smaller space. Some couches have built in cupholders, which can eliminate the need for side tables. One simple coffee table with built-in storage also offers a great option not only for accommodating guests, but also for storing remote controls and magazines neatly in one place.

Ottomans are terrific in confined spaces. An ottoman or two at the foot of your couch can be moved around to suit your needs as guests come and go.

The All-in-One Space

If you have a studio apartment and your main living area and kitchen is all combined into one space, small room furniture placement is key. You want to create an intimate feel by separating the space into defined “areas.” For example, define your kitchen by placing a compact dinette set adjacent to your kitchen. You definitely want to use area rugs to help you define spaces within your studio apartment. Use a larger rug under your dinette set and place a small bookshelf with your cookbooks handy between the eat-in kitchen area and the living area.

You want to leave an open walkway between your eat-in kitchen and the living area. Leaving a clear, uncluttered path also helps to delineate the space. Create an intimate living space by keeping larger pieces of furniture closer together, centered around a nice, compact coffee table; again using a good-sized area rug to bring all the pieces together. Placing a few, nice-sized container plants around each space also helps to give it a finished and defined look.

Creating a smaller space that works does not have to be difficult. With a few, easy design tricks, you can make your space feel much larger. Remember, smaller pieces are not always the best choice for smaller spaces. A few, key larger pieces that are well-placed, combined with other compact pieces makes for a space that is balanced and feels grand.