10 tips for arranging furniture in a small room

We use zoning

A small room should be comfortable, so it makes sense to divide it into two functional zones. Part of the room should be allocated for a sleeping place, and part for a small office or recreation area. You can divide a room visually (with different wall decorations or lighting) or functionally (with a shelving unit, a sofa or a table). You should not use blank walls - they take up space and hide space. Low or transparent partitions are suitable.

We divide the room into zones

The aesthetic side is of great importance in the design of a room. But we should not forget about the functionality of a small room. You need to initially imagine how exactly it will serve you. Maybe you can do without something, but some item is worth adding.

Visually divide the room into functional zones, decide what furniture you will need, and then get rid of everything unnecessary. Perhaps the best solution would be multifunctional modular furniture.

Then you should divide the room into functional zones, and, depending on their location, place furniture, appliances, and lighting elements. For example, the recreation area should be separated from the working area by at least a small space. The design of each functional area may differ from the neighboring one, but the overall color scheme should be uniform.

Related article: Home library: individual solution (+30 photos)

Video gallery

Photo gallery

Selecting the color scheme

When renovating a small room, you can use paint or wallpaper. Light colors (white, cream, gray) add air to the room, making it seem more spacious. If you paint both the walls and the ceiling snow-white, the boundaries between vertical and horizontal lines will become blurred, which means the room will seem larger. There is also an interesting design technique: to visually deepen the room, you can use dark paint on one of the walls.

The photo shows a small bedroom, decorated in warm cream tones.

Features of a small living room

Modern design ideas for a small living room allow the owner of an apartment or house not to be limited when choosing style, decor or color schemes. Even in a small room you can create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere and provide the necessary conditions for proper rest for your household. Of course, the interior of a small living room is distinguished by an abundance of light colors, light sources and compact furniture

The main condition when decorating a small space is that you should not overload the decor of the room, it is important to maintain free zones

As mentioned earlier, the key feature is the abundance of light sources, because artificial lighting fills the room with light, making it more spacious

The absence of contradictions and sharp contrasts is important; the interior lines should be laconic and smooth. If the area of ​​the room is less than 15 square meters, then there is no room for unnecessary decoration

Paintings and photographs, thick curtains and bulky furniture - all this overloads the interior, “killing” the feeling of spaciousness and comfort.

In order for the interior not to seem boring, it is important to use some tricks, for example, prints, abstractions and geometric patterns. When finishing the floor, ceiling and walls, it is important to choose materials that can adjust the shape of the room, making it more spacious

If the room is narrow, then vertical stripes are used on the walls, and to decorate square rooms, finishing with a wide longitudinal stripe is used.

As for furniture, it should be comfortable and functional; it is better to remove unnecessary items. When dividing a small living room into zones, you can use screens and partitions, glass or mirror elements. Mirrors, glossy surfaces, and suspended ceilings can visually enlarge the space.

Looking at space in a new way

When creating the interior of a small room, it is worth using areas that usually remain empty: the space under the ceiling, areas around the door or window sill. Built-in wardrobes, as well as shelves and mezzanines, look stylish and make the most of the usable space.

Distracting attention

Many people think that bright colors and large prints are not for small spaces, but this is not true. If your soul asks for a holiday, you can cover one wall with colorful wallpaper or buy curtains in rich colors and bright pillows. This technique will work if the accents take up very little space (about 10%), and the rest of the background remains neutral.

We also look at which photo wallpapers expand the space.

We take into account the finishing features

Designers recommend using textured wallpaper on the walls - the relief looks interesting and does not require additional decorations. See also other tips for choosing wallpaper for a small room. Glossy stretch ceilings with lighting make the room look higher. Material in the form of linear strips can be used to benefit a narrow room: laminate, boards and linoleum are laid in the direction that needs to be visually expanded or lengthened.

Getting used to minimalism

In the modern world, the desire for irrepressible consumption is gradually decreasing. It is believed that the abundance of things not only clutters space, but also reflects our inner state: the fewer things a person needs in everyday life, the easier it is for him to focus on the main thing. Minimalistic interiors look noticeably more spacious than counterparts decorated in classic or other styles. And cleaning such a room is much easier.

The photo shows a good example of the design of a small room: built-in wardrobes up to the ceiling, a bright interior with one accent wall and striped wallpaper that visually elongates the space.

The main rules for arranging furniture

To make the interior of a miniature room look harmonious, you need to follow the basic rules for arranging furniture. The designers have put together a selection of the most important tips:

1. The furniture should not be wide, but tall. When buying, for example, a wardrobe, choose a narrow option that reaches the ceiling. You can place it in the interior without harming the design.

2. It is better to refuse a standard bed. Give preference to a folding sofa. By the way, the sofa is different from the sofa. When choosing between a folding sofa and a book sofa, choose the second option.

3. Add the most functional computer desk to your interior - narrow, but with many shelves tending upward and with a retractable keyboard stand.
4. Be sure to place several hanging shelves in the room. They will not overload the interior, but will serve as an excellent storage place.
5. If you can't do without a TV, choose an option that can be placed on the wall. By getting rid of the TV stand, you will save a lot of space.
6. Use the windowsill to your advantage, because it is not just a stand for flowers. This is especially true if you have a wide window sill. You can create a full-fledged workplace on it.

7. And finally, ditch the standard entry door to your room. Install a compact sliding door instead.

Related article: Do-it-yourself potato box on the balcony (photo)

Furnishing the room ergonomically

When arranging a small room, you should choose small-sized furniture: huge corner sofas and massive armchairs may look out of place and too bulky. But floor-to-ceiling cabinets are the right solution. Having merged with the wall, they do not put pressure on the space, especially if the doors are glossy or made to match the walls.

The photo shows a small square room in white with built-in wardrobes.

What to consider in interior design?

First of all, let's understand the terminology: a long narrow room is a room in which the short wall is 1.5 or more times smaller than the long wall.
For example, bedroom 5*3, living room 6*3.5, etc. will be considered elongated rooms. Important! The width of a long, narrow room is more important than its length: if it is less than 3 meters, it will be difficult to organize ergonomic furniture placement.

In the photo there is a bright chair at the far end of the hall

The first thing that needs to be taken into account in the interior of a narrow room is the incorrect aspect ratio. The designer’s task is to bring the space closer to the correct shape - a square. We will tell you exactly how to achieve this in the following sections.

Choosing curtains

Large windows with natural light are a salvation from the cramped conditions of a small room. If the view from the apartment is pleasing, and you don’t need to hide from your neighbors, you can leave the windows without curtains. In modern interiors, tulle has long lost its relevance: blinds and roller blinds are used for comfort and protection from prying eyes.

The photo shows a small bedroom with light curtains that blend into the walls. The headboard is decorated with frames with plexiglass that reflects light.

Common mistakes

Before you make a change, you need to find out what typical mistakes owners of small apartments make. There are five main mistakes:

1. Some people place all the furniture around the perimeter of the room, that is, under the wall. This method of rearrangement was popular in the USSR. When bulky sideboards and wardrobes were used everywhere. Nowadays, we need to get away from stereotypes.
2. Leaving the center of the room empty is another common mistake. An empty center does not add free space to the room, it simply makes the entire composition disjointed.
3. With a large amount of furniture, it would seem that everything is clear, but many still make this mistake.
4. Light curtains on the windows are, of course, a wonderful technique, but if the room is too bright, such curtains will play a cruel joke on it. In this case, you need to use a denser window decor.
5. Well, the main mistake is the abundance of trinkets. Many people gradually, without even noticing it, fill the room with soft toys, figurines, and useless souvenirs. All this greatly spoils the design of a small room.

Installing a bunk bed

If the ceilings are high, owners should consider a loft bed as a sleeping place. This original option is appropriate in both a child’s and an adult’s bedroom, as it allows you to create a cozy corner for everyone. The space under the bed can be used at your discretion: place a sofa there for guests or arrange a workplace.

We transform without repair

We recommend looking at the interior of a cramped room with new eyes. Is bulky furniture really necessary? It might be worth replacing it or repainting the large brown cabinet to match the color of the walls, thereby making the small room lighter. If there are too many things laid out in plain sight, it’s worth sorting them out and putting them away in beautiful boxes, thereby relieving the environment of unnecessary “noise.”

Even the smallest room will seem more spacious if you approach its design wisely: take advantage of light colors, arrange furniture well and regularly maintain order in the room.

How to place depending on the room

Every time after renovation or moving into a new apartment, you have to think about how to compactly arrange furniture in a small room. Many turn to professionals for help, and some rely on their design abilities. The main thing is not to buy furniture on the spur of the moment, but to thoughtfully approach the design of rooms, even small ones.

Living room

When arranging a living room, you need to take into account the following criteria: how many people will be in it and the type of their leisure time.

• There should be more free space for young and childless families. In the living room there will be a bar counter with appropriate lighting, which creates the right atmosphere during gatherings with friends;
• For a married couple with children, it is better to install a small coffee table in the center of the room, around which to place a sofa, armchairs and chairs;
• For a large family, you can’t do without built-in and transformable furniture. It should not be bulky, as this will clutter the room;
• In a narrow living room, you should not place furniture along long parallel walls. It is enough to install the necessary furniture along one wall - a transforming sofa and a cabinet structure. And on a short wall you can mount open shelves for books, souvenirs, office supplies and documents;
• The room must have a window. But in a small room it is better to leave this area free;
• If the living room cannot do without a large wardrobe, then it is better that it has mirrored facades. This will greatly save space and increase the visual perception of the room.

Bedroom

A third of a person's life is spent in the bedroom. Therefore, when creating a design project, you need to pay special attention to comfort, coziness and a favorable atmosphere in this room. For the bedroom it is better to choose light furniture and wallpaper in warm colors:

• The central place in the room is given to the bed. The furniture industry offers a large selection of beds with low headboards for small apartments. When the room is long and narrow, we place the bed along the short wall;
• If the bedroom has a square geometry, then it is better to place the bed with the headboard against the wall. Place bedside tables on both sides of the bed. An armchair with a dressing table will take place by the window;
• For a narrow and long bedroom, it is better to order a wardrobe up to the ceiling according to an individual design, and install it on the short side of the wall. This will give the room a visually square appearance.
• In a rectangular bedroom, it is advisable to place the bed with the long side along the wall;
• An ottoman with a lifting mechanism is the best option for small apartments. The design lacks backrests, armrests and a frame for the mattress. The folding sofa-ottoman has a deep niche for bedding;
• A wardrobe and chest of drawers are mandatory attributes of a bedroom. The cabinet can be a built-in or modular product. It depends on the area of ​​the room. If there is no room for a chest of drawers, then you can get by with pull-out cabinets in the closet or open shelves for bedding.

If there is an office in the bedroom, then the work area with a small computer desk is located by the window. You can install a screen between the sleeping area and the work area.

Children's

Everything that surrounds a child helps shape his worldview, aesthetic taste and personal characteristics. Children's furniture should be:

• Functional;
• Eco-friendly;
• Safe.

The room should be cozy and appropriate for age categories. To achieve this, you need to look at the room with “childish” eyes:

• The main item for a small child is a bed with high sides. The retail chain sells transformable beds that “grow up” with the baby;
• A bunk bed will be appropriate if two children live in a small room. It is better to install beds away from the window and along the wall. This way the child will feel protected;
• For a small child, a low table with drawers is suitable in which he will store stationery and small items;
• In the student’s room, you need to install a small student’s desk with many drawers for notebooks, textbooks and other necessary items;
• If you need a computer desk, then it should also be small, with a pull-out shelf for the keyboard and drawers. It is better to place tables near the window.

Practical, functional and visually attractive modular furniture will allow you to create a unique children's interior. A furniture designer will arrange the room, create a comfortable relaxation area and add brightness to the interior.

Kitchen

In every home, the kitchen is one of the most popular areas. I want it to be cozy, functional and as spacious as possible. The designers have collected all the recommendations for arranging furniture in a small room into a single list. Furniture arrangement can be done in several ways :

• Linear ─ first, a place for the desktop is determined, and then the kitchen structure is placed on one side of the wall. This option is suitable for narrow kitchens;
• L-shaped or L-shaped ─ for these options use a corner set;
• Double-row ─ the furniture structure is installed on one side of the room, and on the other side a bar counter or folding table completes the entire composition.

Linear

L-shaped

Double-row
What kind of furniture should you choose so that it is 100% ergonomic and multifunctional in the kitchen:

• A corner cabinet is an indispensable element for a small room. It accommodates the maximum amount of kitchen utensils, and with the installed “carousel” system it will be easier to get the necessary utensils;
• Drawers ─ the more compact drawers, the more kitchen items you can fit;
• Tabletop-window sill ─ it is good to use a wide window sill in a small kitchen, which can replace a work table and countertop. It can also store small household appliances;
• Bar counter ─ can replace any kitchen surface for breakfasts and snacks;
• Wall cabinets. A standard set includes 4-5 cabinets, but for a small kitchen 2-3 are enough.

The distance from the work surface to the eating area should be from 90 to 120 cm. You should not install a dining table in the center of a small kitchen.

For a small kitchen, it is better to choose a folding table. Choose a countertop depending on the height of the owner of the kitchen. The standard height is from 85 to 100 cm.