A kitchen in a small apartment, a bedroom in a small apartment, or a living room in a mini-studio - we have collected universal rules for arranging a small room layout with examples of successful furniture arrangements.
Real estate is becoming more expensive, so now more and more people are purchasing small-sized housing. In any case, the task is the same: to get the most out of a limited area and find a place for everything you need. In this article, we will tell you in detail how to arrange a small room: what rules to follow and how to arrange the furniture. We will show examples of successful layouts.
Arrangement rules
How to place everything you need in a small room? Follow the basic principles of working with small spaces.
Suitable style
If desired, any direction can be implemented in a limited area, but some are better suited for this than others. And others themselves require space and will greatly complicate the task.
So, when arranging a small-sized apartment, it is better to abandon the loft in its pure form, high-tech (however, now you rarely see it at all), Mediterranean style, art deco, and classics. The latter exists in different variations: English, American, palace, etc. But all of them will not fit into a small square footage, since they require the use of massive furniture of complex shapes, with decoration, sweeping symmetrical compositions, and a large scale.
Here are what styles can you safely choose:
Minimalism and contemporary - they go hand in hand since modern design as a whole is based on the principles of minimalism. The only difference is in the degree of its expression: it can be a completely ascetic interior or simply a functional space where there are no unnecessary things. This approach allows you to avoid cluttering an already small room.
Scandinavian - it has experienced the peak of popularity but still remains in demand. The secret of success is simplicity. Residents of northern countries are close to the climate problems of our region, and we are close to their democratic approach to housing development. Scandi involves neutral light colors, inexpensive materials, and laconic furniture that is easy to find in the mass market.
Neoclassicism - a modern interpretation of the classics is suitable for those who prefer traditional interior techniques to minimalism and Scandi style. At the same time, the direction is more adapted to current realities, it is less demanding and therefore suitable for small-sized vehicles. From the classics in their purest form, some basic principles remain here: symmetry, noble palette, natural materials, textures of precious metals, etc. Otherwise, the decor can be laconic, even minimalistic. Furniture is of simpler forms.
Eclecticism - “style without style” is appropriate in any space, including small ones. The principle of eclectic design is a combination of objects and techniques from different eras and trends, so you can select them to suit the scale of the room. At the same time, due to contrasting combinations, the interior will turn out to be interesting, spectacular, and unique. Most often, modern things and vintage, ethnic, and classic elements are mixed in an eclectic space.
Zoning
Zoning is a key element in arranging a small room.
Functionality, ergonomics, and visual harmony depend on it. With proper division of zones, you can conveniently arrange a small room for two or more people. However, not all methods are suitable for limited footage. For example, blank plasterboard partitions, even of medium height, will make an already small room even more tiny, cramped, and dark. Especially if there is only one window. Such a radical method of dividing space is chosen only in extreme cases.
The most popular zoning tool is transparent and translucent partitions. These can be wooden slats, plastic or metal decorative structures, or glass screens (stationary or sliding). Slatted dividers are cheaper, while glass ones allow you to isolate part of the room and at the same time preserve natural light and do not visually overload the interior. Also, shelving is often used for separation in order to combine the function of zoning with storage.
In some cases, full-fledged partitions are replaced with curtains or screens. This is a compact and budget option, and the screens are also mobile: you can rearrange them at any time or remove them altogether. The disadvantages are the lack of sound insulation and no protection from odors (for example, if the living room is separated from the kitchen).
Finally, you can zone a room decoratively. Finishing helps with this: different textures, materials, and colors. Sometimes they make ceilings of different levels or a podium on the floor - such a difference in height also works great for visually dividing the room.
Multifunctionality
This is the main quality of furniture for a small room. Of course, not all items can combine several functions but try to select as many of them as possible.
For example:
Living room table with storage below.
An ottoman or banquette in the hallway with the same function.
Folding sofas and armchairs. Can be the main or guest bed.
Table-rack, table-chest of drawers, table-ironing board and other 2-in-1 combinations.
A wardrobe bed is a complex type of transformer that allows you to completely change the functionality of the room depending on the time of day.
Folding dining table.
Bed with storage drawers underneath.
Dressing table with folding mirror that turns into a bedside table.
It is also useful in micro-rooms to combine two functions in one item. For example, use a shelving unit as a partition or a headboard as a replacement for bedside tables. And continue the window sill to the countertop. This allows you to avoid cluttering the space with unnecessary furniture and provides functionality to every element of the interior.
Proportionality
The rule of scale matching is relevant for all interior elements: be it decor or furniture.
The latter, just like paintings, vases, or sculptures, should be combined with the size of the room. Before selecting items, take accurate measurements of the room and be sure to immediately reserve space for passages, opening doors, etc.
Manufacturers now offer dozens of compact models designed specifically for small-space housing. These include small dining or work tables, shallow consoles, kitchen cabinets, and shoe racks. You can find mini-bedside tables for the bedroom, and neat double sofas. If a standard double bed does not fit into the bedroom, replace it with a single bed.
Also, pay attention to folding and reclining models. They will help save space because they can be folded when not needed.
Vertical usable area
Most furniture is on the floor, but in small rooms, it is unforgivable to forget about the vertical usable area and not use the walls.
First of all, you can and should hang shelves on them. Moreover, these can be either classic open ones for storing books and decor, or closed structures with doors. There are also hanging models of shelving, small cabinets, and display cases. All this allows you to increase storage capacity without taking up floor space.
In the hallway and bathroom, pay attention to consoles, shoe racks, and sink cabinets that are attached to the walls. Firstly, such furniture looks visually lighter. Secondly, it simplifies cleaning. Thirdly, it frees up some space below: for example, under such a cabinet you can put baskets or other organizers for storing household supplies.
How to place furniture in a small room
Let's consider options for planning solutions for different rooms.
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most difficult rooms in terms of furniture placement. In typical one-room and two-room apartments, as well as in studios, only a few square meters are allocated for this area, and they need to be filled with furniture, appliances, and, most often, also a dining area. We show two examples of layouts where we managed to find a place for all of the above.
Example No. 1
Area: 5.8 sq. m
Thanks to the correct square shape of the room, it was possible to place a full-fledged linear set and a dining group in the corner. We chose a square table to fit into the corner and overall shape. To fit all the necessary equipment, compact models were chosen: a mini dishwasher, a two-burner hob, and a built-in microwave oven.
Example No. 2
Where: apartment in a new building. Area: 4 sq. m
Here’s a cool example of how you can play up the cooking area in a small studio and even separate it out. Here the kitchen remained within the boundaries of the room, but was separated by two walls. As a result, the furniture was placed on 4 square meters. On one side, the set was installed in one row (as in the previous version, it was equipped with compact appliances), on the other, there was enough space for a small dining table for two people.
Small Living room layout
As a rule, the largest room in the apartment is allocated for the living room. Family members, friends, and relatives gather here, so there should be enough space. Comfortable area starts from 20 sq. m, but not everyone has such luxury at their disposal. Moreover, even on 12-17 square meters, you can comfortably place the necessary zones.
Example No. 1
Area: 12 sq. m
Here, a room of 12 square meters was allocated as a living room. Since the dining table is located in the kitchen, there was no need to combine several functions. As a result, we see the classic layout of an elongated room: a TV area against the wall, opposite there is a sofa group with tables and armchairs. Nothing extra.
Example No. 2
Area: 16.8 sq. m
In some buildings, one of the rooms is a walk-through room, which is not very convenient, since useful space is lost due to the passages. In this two-room apartment, the disadvantage was overcome with the help of a competent arrangement of furniture. A small dining group was placed near the window along the path of movement - it just does not interfere with the passage. In the center, along both walls, furniture was placed for the recreation area: a TV with a chest of drawers, and a sofa with a table. And at the end, they put shallow twin shelves for books and organized a banquette between them. It turned out to be a convenient reading corner.
Bedroom
The main function of the bedroom is relaxation, so the size of this room can be small. In European plans, the most modest space in the apartment is deliberately reserved for a private zone. In studios or micro-one-room apartments, a niche is often allocated for a sleeping area, almost the size of a bed. But we will look at examples of the layout of a full-fledged bedroom, where all the necessary areas have been equipped in a limited area.
Example No. 1
Where: apartment in a new building. Area: 10 sq. m
This euro-room apartment belongs to a woman who lives alone. Therefore, the bedroom required basic functionality: a comfortable sleeping area and a spacious storage system. A wardrobe was built into a niche in the corner, and almost the entire remaining area was occupied by a large double bed with bedside tables on the sides. A square-shaped room is convenient because you can easily place large furniture in it, and there will still be full passages.
Example No. 2
Area: 10.6 sq. m
Another example of a small bedroom - this time a bedroom for two. Moreover, both the designer (who is also the author of the project ) and her husband needed workspaces at home. One of them was organized just in the bedroom, by the window: they turned the window sill into a large table, and there they also placed a storage system for papers, documents, and office supplies. The rest of the space was occupied by a double bed with bedside tables.
Kids Room
When decorating a nursery, special attention is paid to zoning: here you need to allocate a place for sleeping, games, hobbies, and study/educational games. And sometimes you have to do it on a very modest footage.
Example No. 1
Where: apartment in a new building. Area: 13.9 sq. m
Despite the fact that a couple and a child purchased this one-room apartment for temporary residence, they decided to equip the nursery with full functionality. Look how you can play with the elongated shape: here all the furniture is a solid structure with functional parts flowing into each other, which runs along the perimeter of the room. The storage systems have a built-in sleeping area, a reading corner, a work area for study and hobbies. In the center, there is enough space for games. One of the four walls was left practically empty, only a TV was hung.
Example No. 2
Area: 8.1 sq. m
In a typical two-room apartment, it is possible to allocate a separate room for the child, if in another one you combine the living room and the parent’s bedroom. That's exactly what they did here. A room of a little more than 8 square meters. m was given over to a children's office. The bed was placed at the entrance with the head of the room facing the wall - it’s more psychologically comfortable to sleep this way. Directly behind it is a closet (the main storage system), opposite there is a rack for toys, books, and other necessary things. There is a workplace in the corner by the window. For now, parents can use it for work, and in the future the child will take over the table to do homework.
Studio room
Developers offer studios of different sizes, and sometimes these are real micro-housing, where everything needs to be placed on 12-15 square meters: a kitchen set, a dining group, a relaxation area, and a storage system. Sometimes - a workplace or other specific area. Here are some examples of good planning.
Example No. 1
Where: apartment in a new building. Room area: 14.3 sq. m
A bed or sofa in a studio is a subject of endless discussion among studio owners. Some people choose multifunctionality, while others prefer a full-fledged sleeping place with a good mattress. The owner of this studio, a girl, chose the first option. Thanks to this, it was possible to allocate a little more space for the cooking area: it was equipped with a parallel set, part of which consists of an island (it replaces the dining table ) and a column cabinet for the refrigerator. Opposite the sofa we managed to place a workplace with a storage system: it was assembled from ready-made furniture modules from the mass market.
Example No. 2
Where: apartment in a new building. Room area: 13.7 sq. m
The living area of this studio is very tiny, only 13-odd square meters. The apartment is intended for rent, so we decided to focus on a comfortable sleeping place - we placed a double bed closer to the window with a bedside table on one side and a TV opposite. This part of the room was separated from the kitchen area by a light slatted partition . A square table for two persons was placed next to it. And the window sill by the window was turned into a tabletop, gaining additional usable space.
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