The Tiny Furniture Trend That Adds A Thoughtful Element To Your Home's Design

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From poufs to sofas and planters to shelving, petite proportions are having a sizable moment. Getting the scale of your furniture right can make or break a room. Whether you're crammed into a studio apartment or have big ideas about transforming a breakfast nook, entryway, or awkward corner, small-scale furniture can add style and function without sacrificing square footage. According to Erika Dale, House Digest's interior design expert and founder of Erika Dale Interior Design, balancing tiny furniture with larger elements can elevate your home's design if you prioritize thoughtful curation.

"The tiny furniture trend is the idea of incorporating small, mobile pieces of furniture that can be adapted as needed to fit the needs of the space," Dale told House Digest during an exclusive interview. "While this idea is most definitely cherished (and was likely developed) for small spaces where every inch really matters, the same principle can be applied to a room or home of any size." The interior design expert explained that although small pieces of furniture may not create a strong design impact individually, incorporating them is imperative if you want to create a beautiful space that looks layered and curated. Along with light walls, neutral colors, and avoiding too many knick-knacks, opting for tiny furniture is one of the best ways to make your space seem bigger. According to Dale, "In a room where every detail, even the tiniest ones, are considered carefully, the result is a clearly intentional and thoughtful design."

During her exclusive interview with House Digest, we asked Erika Dale if the tiny furniture trend was purely aesthetic or if function is a factor, too. She said when it's done right, tiny furniture really delivers the best of both worlds. "This adaptable, tiny furniture trend is definitely all about maximizing function, but with so many beautiful options and combinations out there, it is easy to also achieve an elevated aesthetic in the process."

Shrinking the size of your furniture doesn't mean sacrificing style. Your choices of color, material, finish, and pattern are all ways you can still make a major statement. "Small-scale footstools, poufs, or ottomans are a great example of this premise," Dale explained. "Tiny enough to be tucked under a coffee table when not in use, these individual stools can be pulled out for extra seating or reconfigured to be used to kick your feet up where space may not allow for a typical recliner or ottoman setup." Nailing the trend requires more than just incorporating space-saving furniture or pieces primarily designed for storage. Finding that sweet spot between size and style is crucial.

The interior design expert also said nesting tables and cubes are economical when it comes to space because they stack so easily, yet are easily relocated and moved around when you need a little extra seating or surface space. If you're on a budget, you can create trendy nesting side tables with a clever TikTok DIY. There's a huge variety of super stylish and space-saving cubes out there, from IKEA's KALLAX shelving units to Dmevkic's Stackable Storage Crates from Amazon.

Erika Dale has plenty of suggestions for how to use tiny furniture in your home. In particular, she's a huge fan of the pouf. "In a family or living room, I love to tuck a pair of poufs under the far side of the coffee table or in front of a fireplace for easy access," she said during her exclusive interview with House Digest. Tucking poufs under a nightstand or bed is another trick the interior designer recommended. For added function, Dale said to keep nesting tables nearby if you'll pull out your poufs for extra seating during a party. 

If poufs aren't your thing, Dale said you could pair small stools or ottomans under console tables instead. This doesn't just add a stylish and symmetrical look to your home's design. It also adds supplemental seating for guests. "And everyone knows the classic traditional example of a small dining chair or two hovering on the outskirts of the dining room for adding friends to the dinner table," she added.

There are a few tiny furniture mistakes that can make a small room feel even smaller. "While the pieces may be small, it is important to avoid packing a space with a ton of undersized items and making it feel cluttered," Dale cautioned. She recommended making sure each piece of furniture you incorporate has both a purpose and a place. According to Dale, you'll know you've got each item in the right spot when they can be neatly tucked away.