SMALL LIVING Room / BIG IMPACT Decorating Tips

Hello lovelies! I have received many questions from you all about how to decorate a small living room or small apartment. Therefore this week I wanted to share with you my personal tips (based on much experience), as well as my easy and simple decorating ideas to style and furnish your small living room.

I’m certain we’ve all heard that we should use smaller furniture, being a nearly 6-foot woman (5’11” to be exact, 6’2” in heels 😉) who has lived in SEVERAL NYC studio apartments—I say noooo we can do better.

We can be more thoughtful in creating our small space so that we have plenty of breathing room yet ample seating. All of this while still displaying our interests, our personality and history in our homes.

Eclectic, contemporary, modern, cottage, country vibes ETC, doesn’t matter your style, these tips will still work for you in a way that your personality shines through.

While these trips are geared toward a small space, in my world, the principals remain the same; therefore you can take these little designer tip nuggets and apply them to any space.

As mentioned in the video, check out the Foundations of Creativity playlist for further inspo, tips & education.

If you have a design dilemma, then DM me on Instagram with your question and a photo for a chance to be on next week’s YT LIVE.

Instagram @christinadistefanostudio

Have a great week lovelies!
XOCD 😘❤️🥰

*If you’re inspired by these images, you can find all of them on my Pinterest account.*

Hope you’ve had a great week!! Sending you so much love from NYC.
XOCD

FOUNDATIONS OF CREATIVITY PLAYLIST:



ABOUT ME:
Hey I'm Christina DiStefano! I am sort of a jack-of-all-trades: artist, sales director for a top NYC real estate development company, certified life coach, yoga instructor, Reiki practitioner, artist (I'm a painter), businesswoman--and now I'm taking on Interior Design via a certification (I'm starting an Interior Design firm in 2024 lovingly called Casa Serenità Interiors). Oh and did I mention I'm leading the renovation of our country home (inside and out)?!

I believe that home is a sacred place that we nurture, and in return, it nurtures us. That being said, my design process is focused on creating a sanctuary, a place of serenity that truly feels like home.

Questions? DM me on Instagram
@christinadistefanostudio

* If you want to share your home, design projects, inspiration, ideas to be used on an episode, or would like to collaborate, then feel free to contact me at the email below. I’d love to share your ideas with the community 🤍

Email me at:
Please note that due to email volume, there may be a delay in getting back to you.

[ChristinaDiStefanoStudio]

**If you’re inspired by these images, you can find all of them on my Pinterest account.

[Shiryone]

Small spacer here. This was bravo. I also like "leggy" furniture from a maintenance standpoint. It's easier to clean under and it discourages spiders and other creepy crawlies. Someone that studied abroad in Paris commented on their channel how differently homes were laid out there. There are exceptions to everything, of course, but she said that the homes generally had a kitchen, dining area, living room, and bedrooms. The living area was primarily for reading, entertaining, or hanging out, (with perhaps a small TV in the corner) but it was arranged with seating that encouraged conversation. She said that the thought of using the living room to lay down to take a nap or watch something on TV was unthinkable to them. That is what the bedrooms were for. So, not dissing on my fellow Americans, but we've certainly migrated to being able to lay down in multiple rooms whether living rooms, dens, man caves, etc. We removed our couch years ago. As you say, Christina, it's not conducive to conversing. Sorry, I didn't mean for this to turn into a dissertation. 😬 XoX

[MyGoldendoodleDiary]

So thoughtful and beautifully articulated. You're nailing it - thank you Christina 🌠🙏💛🌞

[gradyvandenbosch]

This is such a relevant topic, thank you! For many people a small living space is not something temporary. Like for myself, I live in my small rental apartment (473 sq ft) for over 27 years now. It has become my "forever home". The things you point out are so true. I know by experience that dealing with a small space has to become a way of living. In that way, I can add some tips to your relevant video.
1. Minimise clutter. To help doing that everything should have its own designated space. Because our household develops, new things are coming in. So preferably sort out your storage every 6 months or so.
2. Group small, personal items. You might not have them because they are beautiful, but just because they mean something to you. In a small space there is little wall space, surface space and floorspace. Things can add up and can block any clean lines that you need to have some breathing space. So when you group them, they become a curated moment, like a sculpture, together.
3. Every item counts. In a small room especially, anything you bring in your home influences the space quite strongly. So try to let them be beautiful. That is possible on a budget (see your video about thrifting). Compose them carefully: a balance of items with a loud voice and with a soft voice and medium voice (also your video about charm in charmless homes is helpful).
For further inspiration you can also watch the make-overs by Alexandra Gater. Perhaps you have to look past her personal taste and all the squiggles, but she shows how to make every corner in a small living space count and how that can transform a small space into a home.

[angelagschwind]

All of your inspiration/example rooms are always so beautiful. I think I screenshot 80% of them😅. And, I love all the notes you write in over your videos. The bookshelves are so enticing to me. A whole wall of lower ones with art above would act as a craft table area for my daughter.

[izziegirl]

I LOVE small spaces, they just feel safe and cozy to me. I so appreciate listening to all your videos, always learn something.❤

[reginabrowning]

Love your video style. Easy to follow, nice images and soothing tone! Practical tips

[CheyenneShining]

Christina! Thank you for yet another wonderful offering! Thank you also for creating such an amazing channel, your videos are always top tier and packed with useful information! Your presence is so appreciated here and I have come to look forward to carving out time on Sundays ! You are a whole vibe and I am so happy you’re here!🤍🙏🤍

[jsofollower]

Great food for thought. We have a good amount of square footage in our house. But, on the other hand, each room is quite small, which I love because it’s cozy. I am proud to say I have implemented some of the ideas you described😊. And others, I will be implementing ASAP.

[sophiamolina]

Awesome tips, thank you! I agree that storage is key! ❤😅😊

[thenowherevan]

I am moving into an efficiency apartment in May. This was extremely helpful. Thank you!

[elizabethwinters]

I've always lived in small living rooms, and I'm actually pretty comfortable with them. I have always arranged the seating so that no one gets a stiff neck or twisted back during conversations. Also, no one appears to be left out because they are in an awkward space because of blocked visibility. I don't have an L-shaped couch in this open-plan living area, but two very comfy 2-seaters perpendicular to each other, and a wing-back chair angled opposite. The two smaller sofas give me a second point of entry to the room, which makes it seem more spacious.
This is another great lesson! I'm already eyeing the possibilities of little

[KLuxe_]

I’m a Libra too❤️✨Know wonder I was feeling your vibe and insights, especially leggy furniture and cultivating energy of our home

[emilysha]

omg thank you so much for mentioning more upright chairs! i hate it when the only seats are leaned like that. it kills my neck.

[bree]

I never considered putting mirrors across from each other. Such a great idea to try!

[willowvee]

All great tips and suggestions!
This subject perfect refresher for me. Moving from a large beach house to a city apartment. Using the open kitchen-living to accomodate a six seater table, and some comfy chairs/small sofa. One good size bedroom will become a cosy TV/ chill area ( re-jigging the built -in wardrobe to become a TV niche and cupboards under). Definitely don't want a cluttered feel!

[sandrataylor]

What helpful tips and ideas! You've given lots to consider for a smaller space.

[hudsonboycandleco]

Another helpful video! Thank you Christina! While I admire the dark/cave spaces, I'm with you, I love the light bright airy spaces.

[g.e.]

I just found your channel and subscribed. I love all of your suggestions for a small living room. I regret not buying an L shaped sofa. ❤😊❤

[carolcollins]

Great Advice, Thank you very much dear Christina.