THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING FURNITURE FOR SMALL SPACES

•With 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.

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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.

Take Accurate Measurements•I

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.

•Measure 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.

Keep It to Scale•B

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.

•Bringing in items that serve more than one purpose is a great way to get the most use of your smaller space. A functional ottoman might be a great place to rest your feet, somewhere sit and somewhere to store blankets, cushions or DVDs.

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ny of the furniture pieces you choose that have storage areas built in are going to be valuable additions to your small room.

•For a small room, try to bring in only those items that are necessary for that room to function properly. Non-essential pieces like extra tables, lamps, chests, armoires or cabinets will only serve to clutter up the space and make it less enjoyable to be in.

Look for Multi-Functional Only What You Need

Make Use of the Light•T

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.

•Making 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.

Go Vertical•E

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.

Go Take a Look•H

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.

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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.

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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.