Antiques for small rooms - making the most out of your space

15 January 2021

When people think of antique furniture, they often think of the large and the elaborate - of thrones and ornate chandeliers.

But what if you love antique furniture but don’t have this amount of space to spare?

There’s no need to worry if you’re wanting for room! We’ve written this guide to antiques for small rooms so that you can make the most out of where you’re living.

While you might imagine that living in a small space may limit your options for antique furniture, that can’t be further from the truth.

Top tip: take measurements!

This may seem obvious, but there’s not a more deflating feeling than bringing home a beautiful antique and realising it won’t fit into your living room - or worse, your front door. This is especially true if you have a small room and every inch counts.

Always make sure you have precise measurements of the area in your home you want your new piece of antique furniture to take pride of place in. Try and be as accurate as possible, a few centimeters can make all the difference!

Don't be afraid to break out the tape measure!

Likewise, be sure to measure your new antique so you can minimise the risk of something not fitting into the allotted space. Don’t be afraid to break out the tape measure at the antique dealership!

If you’re planning on buying your antiques online, ensure you have an accurate estimate of the measurements - ask the retailer to confirm if you’re unsure.

Planning and decor

You’ve taken your measurements and realised that you do indeed have some space to spare in your small room. You know you want that space filled with a beautiful piece of antique furniture, but nothing’s taken your fancy yet. What next?

As with any kind of interior design, make sure you consider the decor of your room before you choose any kind of furniture - it would be a shame to introduce something into your living space that sticks out like a sore thumb! Look for pleasing colour combinations and if the piece suits the overall style of the rest of the room (don’t be worried about introducing antiques to a modern living space - if you think that might suit you then make sure you read our guide on the subject).

What kind of antiques should you be looking for?

Now that you’ve gotten the planning and measuring out of the way, what kind of antiques would suit a small space?

The most obvious answer here would be ‘small antiques’, for example lamps, lanterns and other kinds of antique lighting (the previously mentioned chandeliers notwithstanding!). For example, this pair of painted table lamps bring an ornate charm to a room while being easily displayed on any kind of countertop.

What if you love antique furniture but don’t have this amount of space to spare?

However, for small spaces it can also benefit to have furniture that has multiple functions - a blanket box that can double up as a seating area for example, or a desk with storage space to tidy away all your clutter. While this Gothic Revival buffet may seem bulky at first glance, the amount of items that can be stored in it means that installing it could actually free up a lot of space in your home.

Some antique furniture even comes with concealed compartments, which can be a helpful surprise! Be sure to read our blog on hidden storage space in antiques if those designs appeal to you.

Conclusion

While you might imagine that living in a small space may limit your options for antique furniture, that can’t be further from the truth.

With planning, measuring and a healthy dose of ingenuity you may be able to integrate multiple pieces of antiques into your small rooms, bringing a vintage flair to your home even if it’s on the smaller side.

If you’re considering introducing antique furniture into your home, at Westland we have a large variety of pieces, from fireplaces to tapestries. Visit us at our Willesden Green showroom or get in contact with us if you have any questions and we’ll be happy to help.