HGTV's Nate Berkus Has A Surprising Furniture Tip For Small Living Rooms

When working with a small space, many people automatically assume that the furniture for it should also be smaller. So, they'll go and seek out tinier sofas and narrow chairs. But Nate Berkus says this approach actually has the total opposite effect. And, it's an interior design mistake the HGTV star wants you to avoid. So, he has a tip for picking out furniture for small living rooms, and it may surprise you: a small space doesn't mean you have to opt for small furniture. 

In an Instagram post, the interior designer said, "Going with small pieces of furniture might feel like the right move but then you end up with tiny uncomfortable pieces that you'll leave behind." Instead, take into consideration Berkus' furniture tip for small living rooms: "Commit and buy a full-size sofa — and stretch all the way out on it." The bottom line is smaller furniture for a smaller living room isn't always the answer. Not only will it not make the room feel more spacious, but you may also end up with random pieces of furniture to make up for the limited seating on the small sofa. 

Nate Berkus actually challenges the idea of downsized furniture for smaller spaces in its entirety. He hasn't held back about his thoughts on small-scaled furniture, and has said that he'd never been a fan of them as they just didn't make sense to him. This helps explain why the interior designer is so adamant on using proper-sized furniture pieces for small living rooms.

So, listen to the expert and throw out the idea of buying a tiny sofa when you're working with limited space. Instead, opt for a stylishly comfy full-size sofa and simply add less to the space. A sprawling sofa in a small space can make relaxing at the end of the day an even cozier experience, whereas cramped seating can make you uncomfortable. Untimely, as the designer believes, you'll get far more out of a larger piece. So, keep that in mind when you're furniture shopping for a living room that's tight on space. Berkus promises it'll be a much more graceful and intentional way of living.

The HGTV star is all about intentional living. In his upcoming book, "Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal," he dives further into this philosophy by encouraging people to consider everything from how they live and even move within their spaces when trying to choose the right sofa. And remember, instead of smaller furniture, focus on choosing furniture pieces that are smarter and more purposeful, easily suiting your lifestyle.