30 tips to decorate small rooms with style and perfection 

Small apartments are on the rise. In particular, the reasons that lead to this are the market demands for housing in large cities and the dream of the first property, since a smaller size makes apartments more affordable.

Thus, most construction companies have invested in the launch of houses between 30 and 60 square meters, with compact rooms that require greater planning when decorating and distributing the furniture.

In this scenario, the living room is one of the most convivial environments in a house and, therefore, also requires special attention in its composition.

we prepared a list of tips for decorating small rooms with style and perfection. The tricks range from visually enlarging the space, to better composing the objects in the room and making it as comfortable and welcoming as possible. But, most important of all, is to have the tips as a basis to leave the environment with your face. “After all, the house is the mirror of whoever lives there”, emphasizes the architect. Check out:

1. Before going shopping: write down all measurements

The first tip to start getting the decor of a room right (especially if it is small) is to go shopping with important information, such as the size of the wall on which a bookcase goes or what would be the maximum measure that a sofa would have to have. to fit in the room. Thus, the headache of buying a piece of furniture is avoided and, when it is placed in the environment, discovering that the space is insufficient. In these cases, being cautious never hurts.

2. Keep it simple

Just like in fashion, often in decor “less is more”. In this way, in a small room, looking for an environment that is not too loaded with information ensures that it becomes a more cozy and, at the same time, functional place. “Small spaces require rational use and a design that allows for fluidity and reception”, explains the architect.

3. Avoid scattering too many decorative objects

“Evidently, a very crowded place ‘decreases’ the feeling of space”, highlights Márcia. Therefore, it is essential not to “weigh your hand” in the amount of decoration objects, choosing only a few specific items that give charm to the environment. Another tip is to observe the height of furniture and decorative objects. “It is important to avoid excessive furniture and tall elements in small rooms, favoring those below eye level”, she says.

4. Choose a decoration style

Still following the line of avoiding a heavy environment, it is necessary to define what style of decoration your room will have (and not mix contemporary with minimalist or oriental, for example). In these cases, it is important to look at yourself and find the style that suits you best. “If someone designs an environment for himself, in the same way he must be very attentive to what is good for him, to what serves him. My style is stripped down, clean? Or do I like trinkets because they remind me of things I have lived and loved ones? ”.

5. Use mirrors to your advantage

Visual manipulation is extremely important in a small space. And in these cases, mirrors are strong allies, as they become the easiest way to “fool the eyes” by creating the illusion that a place is bigger and well lit. So, this trick, commonly used in restaurants and hotels, is also a great option for small rooms. In addition, there are different formats and styles (with classic frames, modern frames, frameless, etc.) that can be explored in decoration.

6. Find the perfect sofa

In most rooms, the sofa is the main item. Therefore, it is essential to know how to choose the right piece for your environment. “The important thing is to look for a comfortable sofa, with proportions compatible with the available space, that is, harmonious in relation to the shapes of the room. The ‘ideal size’ is one that allows free movement. The predominance of horizontal lines in the furniture design also ‘widen’ the space”, explains Márcia. Another tip is to opt for an armless sofa bed that still allows you to receive guests.

7. Cherish a sofa in neutral and light tones

As the sofa usually occupies the largest space in the room, when used with lighter colors, it ends up giving a greater “amplitude” to the environment — on the other hand, darker colors delimit the space more.

A light-colored sofa still allows you to abuse colors with other decor elements, such as pillows.

8. Leave the 3 and 2 seater sofa set out

As the issue here is little space, the best option is to use furniture that is not too big and that does not fill practically the entire circulation area. In these cases, just a sofa combined with puffs and armchairs leaves the environment freer without losing comfort.

9. Do not abuse the size of the TV

It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t like a big TV, which is almost like having a “home cinema”. In small rooms, however, it is important to choose the size of the television with conscience: in tight spaces, being too close to the television is bad for your eyes. Also, a big TV in a small place is aesthetically disproportionate.

Thus, there is a “basic rule” to calculate the ideal size of the TV for the room: for screens from 32” to 37” it is necessary that the viewer is at a distance between 2.40 m and 2.80 m; those from 42” to 47” need 3.20 m to 3.60 m; and the 52” ones of at least 4 m.

10. Set the TV at the ideal height

In addition to taking care of the distance between the TV and the sofa, it is important to calculate the height that the TV will be: the most suitable is 1.20 m from the floor to the base of the screen, which allows for a comfortable field of view. to the viewer. Also pay attention to the brightness of the environment and always avoid leaving the TV next to a window so as not to have too much reflection on the screen.

11. Panel for TV is always welcome

The TV panel is a kind of smart use of the room, as it uses the wall in its favor. Thus, the space where a rack would go, for example, could be used by other furniture and objects.

The panels still guarantee a modern or even classic touch to the environment depending on the material by which it is made. In addition, they allow the cables, which are usually loose and do not decorate very well in the decoration, to be hidden. For this, the option most used by professionals is to drill holes in the necessary places to pass them through and, to obtain a better finish, finish them off with a grommet.

12. Choose light colors for the walls

Another tip to work on the visual perception of the room, giving the feeling of greater space, is to bet on light colors on the walls. But the architect explains that this rule can be broken from time to time with one of the partitions in a darker tone. “The light tones leave us with the feeling of a wider space. But it’s all about balance and harmonizing shapes and colors. We can choose a darker tone for a wall, for example, which will bring a sense of depth to the environment”, she says.

13. Furniture with light tones expand the environment

As well as the walls and sofas, the other furniture in light tones also help in the feeling of spaciousness. So, if possible, bet on shelves, corner tables and other furniture components in more neutral tones.

14. If furniture and walls are light, play with colors in objects

If you like colors in decoration, in a small room objects can help you with this: while the main structure (walls and furniture) is light, details such as pillows, picture frames, vases and other decorative items can have stronger tones, bringing the environment to life. But nothing prevents you from following a minimalist line and leaving the room clean, with objects that are also clear — here’s to everyone’s taste.

15. Invest in bar stools with exposed legs

If you can see through a piece of furniture, there is a feeling of “greater field of vision”. That’s why stools with exposed legs are welcome in a small room: in addition to being functional, they help to create a spacious environment with good circulation.

16. Armchairs go well together

As very large sofas do not fit very well in a small room, another option to increase the comfort of the environment are armchairs: in addition to being comfortable, they are sold in different styles and colors. Important tip: those with wheels at their base are great for smaller spaces as they allow easy mobility and optimize the use of the room.

17. Always have bean bags available

“Puffs and furniture with rotation are good choices for small environments due to the flexibility they allow”, says the architect. In addition, beanbags are usually more affordable and can be found in different shapes and colors, which guarantees a personalized decoration.

18. Coffee table only if you have space

As the priority in a small room is to preserve circulation, the coffee table only enters if it is really needed and fits in the environment. If this is not possible, corner tables are more viable options for smaller spaces.

19. Give preference to furniture with little depth

As the space is small, very large furniture is not proportionate — they hinder circulation and even “steal the scene” from the environment, delimiting the field of vision. Therefore, when choosing furniture, look for those that offer little depth, but are still very functional for the room.

20. Custom furniture is always a good option

Just as a kitchen always gains space with planned cabinets, the same thing happens in a small room: investing in furniture that is made especially for the environment, with the exact fitting measurements, helps to make smart use of space.

21. The distribution of furniture is fundamental

In small rooms, a valuable tip is not to lean some furniture against the wall, which gives the feeling of greater flow and expands the field of vision.

When assembling the space, it is important to start with the arrangement of the largest furniture, which are the ones that usually define the basic layout of the room. Then, spread out the smaller items evenly. This method is usually very effective, as it allows you to get a sense of the result even when you are in the process of installing the parts.

22. Avoid closing corridors or circulation spaces

Of all the tips for arranging furniture and objects in a small room, “circulation” is the keyword. “Always look for unimpeded and functional circulations, aiming at the good use of each free space for the correct accommodation of objects and equipment”, explains Márcia.

23. Take advantage of shelves and niches

In small spaces, the architect explains that walls become strong allies: they are no longer just partitions and become places for storing decorative items. “The use of available spaces for storing and displaying objects must be used rationally and, in this aspect, shelves and niches can contribute effectively”.

24. Use decorative frames

The walls once again stand out in a small space by displaying paintings and photos that convey meaning to the environment. “In any decoration, it is always good to bet on pieces and objects that have meaning for me and mine, such as travel souvenirs, photos and works of art”, says Márcia.

25. Keep an eye on the choice of curtains

An important tip for curtains is to hang them above the window limit, almost close to the ceiling. With this trick, they pass lightness to the environment. Some professionals still use the technique of hiding the curtain rail with plaster, the so-called “Cortineiro”: a finish with a plaster recess of approximately 15 cm, where the curtain rail is embedded. Vertical lines in the curtain fabric also help to make the wall feel taller.

Other options are blinds, which do not take up much space and are aimed at people who seek more practicality in the environment.

26. You can use rugs for sure

If the walls are allies in the decoration of a small room, so is the floor: a rug brings a feeling of comfort to the environment. It can still help to visually enlarge the space if it has stripes.

27. Decorative vases are always a good option

For those who like, decorative vases are charming and elegant options in a room. They help to “punctuate” the decoration of a space, as they can give more life to a small table, for example. However, the saying “less is more” still applies to vases: as the environment is small, moderation in objects is always welcome.

28. Have tall plants in the corners of the room

In any type of room, plants are always welcome. “The life they bring to the environment is essential”, says the architect. Therefore, in a small room, a valuable tip is to use the high corners of the walls (which are usually “beaten” in the decoration) to place the plants, achieving an intelligent use of space.

29. Pay attention to the lighting

For the living room, invest in cozy lighting. “Look for lighting that does not bring glare, but comfort, that highlights elements of the decoration, that is effective for carrying out any work or readings and that is energy efficient. Oscar Niemeyer once said that ‘Good lighting raises mediocre architecture, and bad lighting ends the best project’. This sentence simply and clearly illustrates the importance of light in design and architecture”, explains Márcia.

30. Always keep everything organized

“In the small space as in the large space, it is important that an order be established, a ‘code’, under which the house acts. This organization of the place allows the inhabitant to have a pleasant reading of the environment that surrounds them, frees up spaces to be used more efficiently and saves a precious element these days – time”, completes the architect.

By following these tips, you can make a small room more functional and visually pleasing. And there’s nothing like being able to arrive after a busy day and rest in your corner, watching TV or reading a book, feeling welcomed in your own home, right?