Whether you have a studio apartment, small home or a tiny room in your home that you would like to enhance, there are some basic rules for small room design that can help you make the most of your small space.

These tips for decorating a small room – or enhancing a small living space – will help you maximize space and make your room (and your home!) appear larger.

Furniture for Small Room Design

• One of the biggest mistakes when decorating a small room is to fill the room with overstuffed or large furnishings. Smaller rooms and homes require smaller or more lightly scaled furniture. If you have a large, heavy piece of furniture that is absolutely fabulous, consider using it as a focal piece and then scaling down your other pieces.

• In any small space, it’s important to not to feel boxed in. Keep your furnishings low to give the eye a place to roam, and choose pieces with clean lines. Balance the room with a few verticals, like a calming piece of artwork or a narrow floor vase with tall reeds.
• Chairs and sofas without arms are perfect for small spaces because they appear more open and lightweight. Furnishings with exposed legs also help to visually add space to a small room.
• Consider smaller versions of necessary furnishings, like a loveseat instead of a sofa or a full-sized bed instead of a queen. Or choose furniture that can be tucked away when not needed, like an extendable dining table, folding chairs or nest of tables.

• Multipurpose pieces work well in small spaces. Furniture that serves many functions is a great way to streamline a room. For example, an ottoman with built-in storage provides a place to stash blankets and books, yet also makes a compact footrest.

Decor for Small Room Design

• Hang curtains from the ceiling and not the top of the window frame. This will create the illusion of height and depth. If you prefer blinds, install them within the window frame instead of on top of the frame.

• Choose decor items made from glass, mirrors or other reflective or transparent surfaces to reflect light and appear weightless in your space.
• Good lighting is very important in any space, but becomes essential in small room design. Natural light and windows automatically add a feeling of lightness and space to a room, so let it in. Layer your interior lighting for the best effect.

Color & Pattern in Small Room Design

• Dark colors can make even large rooms appear smaller. The lighter the shade is, the more open your space will appear. In small room design, use darker or bolder colors as accent colors only.
• Stripes can work well in a small space because they can be used to create the illusion of height or length.
• Consider going monochromatic. Paint your walls and trim the same color. Choose the same color or one shade lighter for your ceiling. Use texture or varying shades of the same color to add contrast and depth to your space.
• When decorating a small room, use the darker or bolder colors in your pallet to ground your space, keeping them at eye level or below. This will allow your eye – and your ceiling – to soar, making the room appear larger.

• One idea for decorating a small room is to color your feature wall then stick with neutrals elsewhere. Choosing one element that really stands out will help your space feel alive without feeling cramped.