Small rooms, they’re cozy and comfortable if furnished properly. The trick is to get the proportion, scale, colour and arrangement that will give the illusion of grandeur.

Proportion

How does the furniture look beside each other? Same heights and shapes make the room feel static and uniform, which can be boring unless accented with the right pieces. Mixed sizes and shapes add a sense of movement to a room.

Scale

How does the furniture look in the room? Sitting low to the floor creates the illusion of height. Surprisingly, you don’t necessarily want that. Instead, use items with tall legs, such as a vintage sofa with carved wooden legs. Seeing more of the floor gives the illusion of space below and above.

Colour

Use only solid colours for your furniture. Patterns will be too busy in a small space. If you really want patterns, put them in your accent pieces like throw pillows, art work or fancy vases. White or light neutral colours feel light, airy and spacious. Use bright, vivid accent colours to add character. Dark neutral colours feel cozy, snug and warm; use whites, yellows and other light colours as accents.

Arrangement

In any room, furniture arrangement has a significant impact – it can make the room feel cluttered and cramped, or cozy and comfortable. Put your largest piece against the longest wall and place the rest of your pieces around it, leaving a clear path where the highest traffic will occur.

When done right, a small room can feel like any other room in your house.