Styling and decorating a small room is not for the faint of heart! Sometimes, having a small amount of space is perfect for you and keeps you from overcrowding the space. But for others, myself included, a small room can feel so hard to style because of the design we are seeking to achieve. I have attempted this many times and feel as if I have found a solution! These are my tips on how to style a small room.
Style a small room
First of all, less is more. Yes, I said it. Less if most definitely more. What I mean by this is choose a few items, 3-4 pieces, that are your non-negotiables. For most this will include your furniture, possibly a TV, and maybe a piece of artwork. Mine are my bed, dresser, nightstands and bedding. During my time in the three places that I have lived on my own, I found that I love styling around these pieces. Not because they are unchangeable but because it is always a new challenge to restyle them over time.
Furniture
Your bed is the focal point of your bedroom. It is the spot that you will sit down on, spend each night in and feel most vulnerable. It should feel safe and comfortable and should be one of your favorite, if not your favorite, piece in the room. For me, I always choose to make the bed. Making your bed everyday will style a room more than you believe. Add some decorative pillows and Euro Shams to dress it up and you will have an incredible style that can reflect your personality.
You dresser can also serve as a good focal point. I have styled this many ways. In our first apartment, we had the TV sitting on the dresser. This wasn’t my favorite but it added a sense of balance on that wall. I have used it to display coffee table books and picture frames as well. My favorite way to style it is with a large vase with flowers. I like to style my dresser with something that brings me joy which is usually something floral! This also keeps the top of the dresser more open and less cluttered.
Another piece that I think can truly change a space is a floor length mirror. Add it to a corner that is not high traffic to add dimension to the space. You can place a small basket or plant next to it to dress it up. This will help layer items and add color to the space! The mirror will also reflect light which can help brighten the room as well. This can truly depend on the amount of space that you have but if your dresser doesn’t go up against a corner, you can add it to the other side of the dresser that does not get utilized with much.
Bedding
If you have a smaller room, I recommend choosing bedding that is lighter in color. The darker tones will feel like they take up a lot of space because they are heavy in weight. A lighter tone will help open the space making it feel bigger than it actually is. I use a linen duvet with textured pillows to accent. I use all neutral colors for two reasons. 1. It is easy to style year round and gives a crisp freshness to the space and 2. It helps brighten the room since we live in an apartment and can’t choose the flooring or paint color of the room.
Add a decorative throw to dress up your bedding and pillows. This adds layering, texture and color to your space! If you start with either a solid comforter or neutral bedding, you will have the most room to work with decorative items. You can use euro shams to add more statement colors and smaller decorative pillows to tie the various tones together. Adding a throw blanket to the end of your bed can bring layers to the bed and additional colors to the room for a more completed bed.
Artwork
Once you choose your layout, you will be able to add a sense of style with the space that you have. Some of the best decor items can include table lamps, window treatments, baskets, throws, and pictures/artwork. If you have unused wall space above your dresser, you can add a lamp for additional lighting and decor.
Adding window treatments to your windows will frame your window in a more decorative way which can dress your room up drastically. I would recommend dark treatments if you have a lighter bedding or lighter treatments if you have a darker bedding.
If you have the space, adding a rug can also completely transform your space! Amazon has some of my favorite rugs created by designers that can fit most styles! They are affordable and stylish for all spaces! Rugs can really solidify your design by creating a foundational piece within your room.
Hang artwork and pictures! Your room reflects who you are so add the pictures and artwork that brings you joy and peace! These can be simple pieces or collages of your favorite memories. If you choose pictures, I recommend a more uniform display on the walls. Since your space is small, a more uniform look will help the artwork look less chaotic and it will take up less wall space.
I hope that this helps! Styling small rooms can be a challenge but I do believe if you stick with your base points, you will be able to accomplish the design goals that you have for your space! Let me know what your non-negotiables are in the comments below!