If you’ve ever had to buy furniture for a small living space, you are probably aware of how confusing the whole process can be. Given the space restrictions, you might be wondering if it’s best to choose several smaller pieces or go for a few larger pieces. In our opinion, choosing small furniture can make a small room look cluttered, but a few larger pieces of furniture can reduce the clutter and actually make the room feel bigger.

While small apartment spaces aren’t the easiest to decorate, there are a few tricks you can adopt to make the room work for your purposes. In this article, we’ll go over 7 of the most reliable tips to turn your cramped little studio apartment into a cozy haven.

1. Free up space with a convertible sofa

If you’re living in a studio apartment, more often than not, your bedroom, living and dining areas will all be contained within the same space. Rather than buying a full-sized futon, consider a convertible sofa bed –  a dual-purpose piece for sitting during the day and sleeping at night. This frees up valuable space usually monopolized by a separate bed and sofa, especially if you’re looking to maximize space in your studio apartment. We highly recommend this Coburg pull-out 3-seater sofa bed, with a memory foam queen-sized mattress that is guaranteed to give you a good night’s sleep.

2. Ottomans add flexibility

A coffee table serves a functional purpose to hold drinks, books or knick-knacks but is a static piece. An ottoman is more flexible as it can be moved around and can also add functionality, interest, and comfort to a small living space. They can be used for storage, hold a serving tray for drinks, or putting your feet up to watch TV. When not in use they can be stored away in a corner or under a side table. Ottomans can even be storage containers themselves.

3. Consider space saver tables

You don’t want to clutter a small living space with lots of unnecessary pieces. But it’s also good to have extra table space, either for guests or when you need to work remotely. A set of stacked or nesting tables can save on floor space when tidied away but can be brought out and placed where needed to hold drinks or snacks. Alternatively, check out this MacLeod C-shaped side table, that will instantly turn your sofa arm into a comfy workspace.

4. Make your furniture floating

To create more floor space it’s tempting to push all the furniture up against the wall. But floating furniture away from the wall, in the middle of the room, gives the illusion of more space and makes a small room look more inviting. Anchor furniture with a large rug or mat to help create visual boundaries.

5. Add height with suspended shelves

Suspended shelves are a great way to add storage and height to small living spaces and make small spaces feel bigger. Rather than a bulky bookcase or clunky dresser, they draw the eye up and introduce a much-needed place to display collectibles, books or artworks. That’s not to say that there aren’t any great space saving cabinets out there however. For instance, if you’re looking to save space in the kitchen, you will love this Gables freestanding cabinet/pantry combo, with two wide shelves to house your appliances like an oven, microwave or toaster.

6. Use mirrors and opaque furniture

If a small living room is short on windows, the addition of wall mirrors or mirrored end tables can boost light and add depth. Opaque furniture is also a good choice for small living spaces as it doesn’t obstruct the eye and increases the illusion of space.

7. Make the most of corners 

Furniture comes in a wide arrange of shapes and sizes these days. If you have an unconventionally shaped living space or weird angles, the good news is there’s probably a piece of furniture to fit! By getting creative with corners you can maximize the space in your living room. There are lots of things you can do to utilize an awkward space, such as adding a reading nook, corner shelves, a floor lamp, a cafe table, or a tall skinny pot plant.

So what’s the best furniture for small living spaces overall?

The best furniture for small living spaces is that which lets a room breathe but serves a functional purpose. For example, a stacked nest of opaque side tables don’t add bulk and are handy if you need extra surface space. An ottoman with the capacity to store blankets and magazines can be moved as needed in front of the sofa or to a corner to free up more floor space. Want to learn more? Be sure to check out TFP Australia’s website today! We have thousands of products in store and our friendly staff have years of experience in finding the perfect furniture to suit your needs.