1. THINGS TO CONSIDER
WHEN BUYING
FURNITURE FOR SMALL
SPACES

2. ith so many apartments and small homes dotting the landscape of
most towns and cities, it’s no secret that many people have small
spaces to work with when buying furniture. The danger in most
smaller spaces is that it will seem cluttered or cramped when the
furniture is set into position.
uying furniture for small spaces can certainly be a challenge, and it’s
wise to consider several different factors before you go out and start
grabbing up every piece that catches your eye.

3. Take Accurate Measurements
t’s important to measure any room when you’re planning on adding
new furniture, but that’s especially true if you’re buying furniture for
a small room. With limited space, you really want to know how much
space you’re working with.
easure the square footage of the room, the wall space, depth of the
room, and consider any furniture that will be staying behind. Make
lists and a sketch of how you want the room to look. Make sure you
also measure each piece before you buy it, so you know you’ll have
enough room.

4. Keep It to Scale
uying furniture that’s the same scale as the room helps to avoid that closed-in feeling
that’s possible when smaller spaces and bigger furniture get together. You don’t
have to buy miniature versions of everything, just try to opt for sleeker designs and
more compact sizes.
Reduce the Clutter
• Clutter is a definite consideration when it comes to furnishing a small room. You’ll need to try
and free up floor space wherever possible and not leave any unnecessary items around.
• In a larger room, certain knick knacks or accessories may add to the overall visual, but in a small
room the same items might make it look cluttered. Making the room look less cluttered might
be one of those adjust-as-you-go kinds of processes.

5. Look for Multi-Functional Only What You Need
ringing in items that serve more than one or a small room, try to bring in only
purpose is a great way to get the most use of those items that are necessary for that
your smaller space. A functional ottoman
room to function properly. Non-
might be a great place to rest your feet,
somewhere sit and somewhere to store essential pieces like extra tables, lamps,
blankets, cushions or DVDs. chests, armoires or cabinets will only
serve to clutter up the space and make
it less enjoyable to be in.
ny of the furniture pieces you choose that
have storage areas built in are going to be
valuable additions to your small room.

6. Make Use of the Light
he types of finishes you choose for your furniture pieces can help to
make your room appear larger. Things like chrome, steel, glass or
monochromatic color tones help to reflect the light that comes into
the room.
aking use of the natural light is a trick that enables you to make the
room look bigger without having to alter the design or the layout too
much.

7. Go Vertical
mphasizing the vertical aspect of a small room is another way to
make it seem bigger without having to actually remove anything. Try
using taller floor lamps, emphasizing windows or using long curtains.
If you want any artwork on the walls, use paintings that are on long
and slim canvases to continue the vertical look.

8. Go Take a Look
eading out to a furniture store to actually look at the pieces in person is a
smart thing to do when shopping for a small space. You never really get a
true sense of how a piece of furniture looks or how big it is until you see it in
person.
hen you see the furniture in person, you can compare the sizes with your
measurements and drawings to ensure everything is going to fit the way you
want it. If you’re buying a particular piece online, consider going to a store
to view a similar piece with the same dimensions. This way you can at least
get a sense of how it will fit before it gets to the house.
eep as many of these considerations in mind as possible when you are
shopping for furniture for a small room. Every little trick that helps to create
real space or the illusion of space is only going to make the room that much
more enjoyable to spend time in.