6 Ways to Lay Out 100 Square Feet

Through savvy editing and smart floor planning, living large in a small space is within reach. Learn how to pull design details from popular styles to lay out and enhance a 10x10 space.

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November 25, 2014

By: Virginia Moon

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Photo By: HOWARD TUCKER 216-696-4616

Photo By: Stacey Brandford

Photo By: Photo Credit: Jeffrey Aron Photography © Denver Parade of Homes

Photo By: Eric Perry

Think Big: Bold and Traditional

Design elements in a traditional-style space are prominent and sophisticated. This living room showcases bold details and dramatic architecture on a grand scale. For a similar effect in a small space, add white crown molding around the perimeter of a room and paint it to match the ceiling. This creates an illusion that the ceiling is larger. To increase the height of a room, use wainscot to draw the eye up.

Get the Look

For an updated approach, start with a bold color palette of cream, khaki, blush and royal blue. Our shopping list: custom upholstered SOFA, 40"H x 88"W x 37"D, HGTV HOME; Spring Blossom Oushak RUG, 6'x9', Williams-Sonoma Home; traditional cherry CONSOLE TABLE, 32"H x 50"W x 18"D, Bassett; cast bronze CANDLE HOLDERS, Pottery Barn; red Gate ACCENT PILLOW, Harper Bergere ARMCHAIR, and blue Lotus Garden STOOL, One Kings Lane.

Make It Work

The popular loveseat and large sofa combination takes up valuable space and interrupts traffic flow. Instead, mix one large furniture piece with two smaller chairs to create openness without sacrificing seating.

Think Big: Casual Chic

An abundance of natural light and cool hues makes this sizable morning room an elegant retreat. In the tiniest spaces, lighting makes a big impact. Exposed bare windows visually enlarge a space by bringing the outdoors, along with natural light, into the room. Design by Marika Meyer

From: Marika Meyer

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Start with a unified color scheme of cream, gray and blues. Our shopping list: gray Clara apartment SOFA, 75"W x 33"H x 38"D, Pottery Barn; citrine velvet throw PILLOW, Etsy, Nelson Design (shop owner); navy Quadrille Volpi PILLOW, Etsy, Spark Modern (shop owner); gray tile RUG, 5' x8', Pottery Barn; Oliver Lagoon CHAIR, 24"W x 27.5"H x 28"D , West Elm; gray and silver Damask PILLOW, Pillow Décor; framed BUTTERFLY COLLECTION, One Kings Lane; Forest Hill hallway LIGHT, DVI Lighting Inc.; Curtain end Venetial sterling silver TABLE, 27"H x 26" D, Nancy Corzine; Ceramic Shell BOWL, One Kings Lane.

Make It Work

"Create movement and good traffic flow around the room by floating furniture away from the walls," says HGTV producer and designer Brian Patrick Flynn. "The floating floor plan will take the focus off a room's modest dimensions and redirect it to the ensemble of decor."

Think Big: Eclectic Cottage

HGTV designer Sarah Richardson used layers of textures and artsy elements to make this home's large living room addition feel warm and welcoming. Similarly, in a small space personal touches go a long way. Avoid clutter with too many accessories. Instead choose a thoughtful collection of items that add a layer of sophistication on the walls. Attract the eye with shapes and textures in complementary colors for a subtle statement.

Get the Look

Start with a plush color palette of cream, blush and maroon. Our shopping list: gray Kingston club CHAIR, 30"W x 37"H x 37"D, One Kings Lane; coral handmade PILLOW, Anthropologie; Safavieh Old World RUG, 5' x 7.5', Hayneedle.com; white Joselin CHAIR, 31"W x 35"H x 30"D , Ballard Designs; Smith one-drawer TABLE, 28.5"W x 25"H x 28.5"D, and galloping horse SCULPTURE, One Kings Lane; iron CHANDELIER, Hacienda Lights; vintage grandfather wall CLOCK, 12.5"W x 31.5"H x 5.5"D, Etsy, Clarbehr (shop owner).

Make It Work

Encourage conversation by positioning chairs in a circular arrangement around a central focal point, such as a coffee table or intricate light fixture. Using chairs, instead of a large sofa, creates openness and allows you to rearrange with ease.

Think Big: Rustic and Refined

Wood finishes, timber ceiling beams and leather sofas portray a sense of comfort in this spacious great room. When re-creating a similar vibe in close quarters, focus on layering textures and avoid overcrowding the area with bulky furniture. Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Aron Photography

Get the Look

Start with a rich color palette of burnt orange, green and brown. Our shopping list: hand rubbed LOVESEAT, 62.5"W x 38"H x 37"D, Bassett Furniture; Brackendale striped brown rectangular throw PILLOW, Pillow Décor; Jaipur Poeme Corsica RUG, 5' x8', Wayfair; Rollins corner CHAIR, 29"W x 34.5"H x 29"D, Arcadian Home; Mongolian lamb PILLOW, West Elm; dark brown Minka Ambience table LAMP, Wayfair; pedestal TABLE, 26"H x 22"W x 22"D, Bassett.

Make It Work

Rather than squeezing a coffee table into a 10x10 area, go with a side table instead. This frees up floor space for better traffic flow. Round pieces and soft edges add a touch of coziness in a living room.

Think Big: Contemporary

Contemporary style showcases clean lines, eclectic elements and embraces nature. When designing with limited room keep furniture simple and functional. "Armless furniture is used in small spaces to keep the eye flowing throughout the space, uninterrupted," says Flynn.

From: Tineke Triggs

Get the Look

Start with a neutral color palette of gray, blue and brown. Our shopping list: Baxter Chaise LOUNGE, 39”W x 69”D x 26.5”H, West Elm; cowhide PILLOWS, TheCowhideStore.com and Room & Board; Koldby cowhide RUG, 48.44 square feet, IKEA; Contact STOOL, 12.5" diameter x 19.25"H, CB2; contemporary chocolate two-tone OTTOMAN, 38"W x 19"H x 26"D, MBW Furniture; musician POSTER, Poster Lounge, Tamara Art Heritage; mid arc floor LAMP, Trend Lighting .

Make It Work

A sectional adds definition to this 10x10 area without overpowering it. "L-shaped sofas maximize seating along one concentrated area, making the room feel much more spread out and providing additional floor space to be used," explains Flynn.

Think Big: Vibrant and Earthy

HGTV 2012 Green Home uses refined, neutral furnishings, pops of color and industrial elements in this quirky, down-to-earth great room. Take the same approach from an ancient small-space design rule by sticking with cool colors to give the illusion of spaciousness. Add interest with funky art and shapes.

Get the Look

Start with a playful color scheme of gray, lime green and navy. Our shopping list: Fairmont David Francis CHAIR, 28.5"W x 38"H x 32"D, David Francis Furniture; light neutral ivory area RUG, 6.7' x9.6', AddARug.com by NetChannel Inc.; Ayodhya round COFFEE TABLE, 19"H x 36"D, Overstock.com; Sputnik SCULPTURE, Jonathan Adler; Buchanan apartment SOFA, 79"W x 38.5"H x 36.5"D, Pottery Barn; Aubree Boucle yellow and Linden green PILLOWS, Crate and Barrel; gray and white circle pattern oblong throw PILLOW, Etsy, Blooming Home Décor (shop owner); expressionistic green and neutral acrylic PAINTING by Elizabeth Chapman, Etsy.

Make It Work

Furniture proportions are key in small-space floor plans. "When spatial constraints are extra tight, it's important to use specialty-sized pieces known as apartment-scale," says Flynn. "These don't sacrifice style for substance, but will allow great-looking seating sized closer to 4.5' or 5' rather than the standard sofa length of 6' or 7'."

6 Ways to Lay Out 100 Square Feet

Related To:

Shop This Look

Think Big: Bold and Traditional

Get the Look

Make It Work

Think Big: Casual Chic

Get the Look

Make It Work

Think Big: Eclectic Cottage

Get the Look

Make It Work

Think Big: Rustic and Refined

Get the Look

Make It Work

Think Big: Contemporary

Get the Look

Make It Work

Think Big: Vibrant and Earthy

Get the Look

Make It Work

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