Call Us: 1-800-504-7615

Small Space, Big Impact: Maximizing Design in Intimate Venues

Jan 16 / The IWED Blog

Elevate Small Spaces with Style

Did you find the perfect venue for your wedding or party, but it’s a bit smaller than you expected? Are you worried that you’ll have to make too many compromises on aesthetics and logistics to make it habitable and functional? These are valid concerns, of course, but limited space doesn’t mean you have to limit your style! It doesn’t even mean that you’re going to have to put in any back-breaking work. In fact, limited space presents an opportunity to do so much more.

Probably the biggest factor to tackle when it comes to maximizing the potential of a small space is furniture. Obviously, it’s of the utmost importance that your guests feel comfortable, but you don’t need cumbersome tables and chairs to achieve this. If there are certain statement pieces you’re sentimental about or set on, though, go ahead and include them. If they’re round, even better! Just make sure there’s ample space around each to accommodate movement. The last thing you want is for your floor space to feel cluttered. Another great way to address this is by incorporating foldable fittings. This will make your space multi-functional in the truest definition of the term. In other words, dining hall to dance floor in minutes.

Another crucial factor to consider is lighting. Opting for a venue with lots of windows is ideal, but if that’s not possible, there are many tried-and-true ways to enlarge a space by illuminating it. Uplighting is one such way. This not only adds a sense of verticality by directing light upward but creates a softer glow, which can make a space feel more expansive, yet comfortable. Sconces and table lamps can also be used alongside uplighting to add depth and texture. Just be careful with ceiling fixtures. If you don’t have much height, pendants can call attention to that, not divert from it.

Walls also present a great opportunity to maximize potential. Leaving them mostly bare is best, but definitely not necessary. Mirrors, for instance, can give the illusion of more square footage, while limited artwork can draw attention to the empty space around it. Open floor plans are also preferable to partitions. Do anything to avoid having your guests feel boxed in. And as far as color is concerned, opt for a pared-down palette, whether dark or neutral. Bear in mind, though, that dark walls in a small space may leave your guests feeling cramped. Let the materiality of the space shine through rather than forcing a punchy color profile.

All of this to say, less is more. It may seem counterintuitive, but the only thing that will call more attention to smallness is the determination to fill it.

You have to approach it the way you would a puzzle. One in which airiness takes precedence over the compulsion to crowd every corner. So if you want to be accommodating as well as make an impression, keep it simple and intentional. Done well, the space and the decor will speak volumes.