How to Arrange Small Family Rooms

Multi-purpose furniture, like a storage ottoman, is best in a small room.

Maximizing space in small rooms can be difficult, especially in an activity-filled room like a family room. Choosing the proper furniture for the space and arranging it using space-saving methods will make your family room feel larger and make it more functional for family use.

Things You'll Need

• Furniture
• Wall-mount shelves

Instructions

Choosing the Right Furniture

1. Look for furniture pieces that serve multiple functions. For instance, a grouping of four square storage ottomans functions as a coffee table, four extra seats if needed and plenty of places to tuck away extra magazines or blankets.

2. Choose furnishings that are an appropriate scale for the room, both in type and design. A love seat will fit a small room better than a full-size couch, and sleek, slim designs take up less space visually than chunky furniture.

3. Avoid dark colors. Instead, opt for lighter, brighter shades that will give the room a larger appearance.

Maximizing Floor Space

1. Mount shelves on walls rather than using free-standing book cases. Leaving the floor space open creates the illusion of a larger space.

2. Arrange chairs and couches so that end tables are shared between them. Eliminate any excess tables.

3. Place seating and any other large furniture objects around the perimeter of the room. Leaving the center of the room open will make more space for family activities.

Tips & Warnings

• Sketch furniture placement ideas on paper before you try them. If you have a hard time visualizing the room from the sketch, don't be afraid to try the arrangement to see if you like it.

References

• Love to Know: Designing for Small Spaces