16 Small Space Rugs Ideas That Make a BIG Statement

May 25, 2017

Just because you’re small-space living doesn’t mean your interior can’t be big on style. The easiest way to make it happen? By throwing down a bold statement rug or two. Even though you aren’t working with a lot of square footage, rugs of all shapes and sizes can be used in even the tiniest of studio apartments to make a huge impact. If you need a little inspo to take the leap, check out these 16 homes.

1. Stylized Spaces: When you live in a studio, it’s important to stay true to your design style. Make your living space and your bedroom area feel like two completely different rooms of your home with the help of textiles. Use an over-dyed antique rug to pair with your sofa and coffee table, and stick to plush sheepskins for around your bed. (via Advice from a 20 Something)

2. Neutral Elements: You may assume that in order to make a statement you have to go with bright and trendy pieces, but that’s not always the case. Use jute rugs in a variety of different sizes to add definition and texture to your tiny interior. These neutral (and budget-friendly) options will make your home feel a bit more homey, without being overwhelming. (via The Everygirl)

3. Bright and Bold: Just because you’re not working with a lot of space doesn’t mean you should skimp on fun colors. Grab a bright area rug that goes along with the bold color scheme of your living area. (via Cupcakes for Breakfast)

4. Fill in Empty Areas: Rugs come in handy when you have an awkward amount of space that you don’t know what to do with. Fill in those missing spots with fun textiles that show off a bit of your style. (via Design Sponge)

5. Keep It Simple: Lay down a traditional, simple rug to make your home feel more tied together. If you have mismatched furniture, a cool neutral one will balance the space. (via Homepolish)

6. Be Unexpected: You generally see rugs styled underneath coffee tables and smaller ones near beds, but that’s not a hard and fast rule. While you may be inclined to place your rug vertically, try horizontal instead. (via My Scandinavian Home)

7. Bring It All Together: Bring everything together and set your space up with a rug that will perfectly fit from the edge of your bed all the way to your sofa. A bold patterned rug, like this striped one, will create added depth and a gorgeous focal point. (via Jurnal De Design Interior)

8. Soft Qualities: Make your home as cozy as possible with the help of extra soft textiles. These rugs don’t just serve the purpose of turning your home into a hygge-inspired oasis — they also warm up your wood floors for your feet. (via Mademoiselle Claudine)

9. Defined Living Room: A big struggle with living in a studio apartment or lofted space is the inability to create a separate area to lounge and watch TV without relying on your bed. Choose a large area rug to clearly define the space for hanging out. (via Apartment Therapy)

10. Pop of Color: Even neutral lovers won’t be able to deny how good a pop of color looks in a studio apartment. (via MyDomaine)

11. Tiny but Powerful: Strategically place small rugs throughout your home in empty foyers, nooks, and hallways to give your space a major face-lift with just a few low-key textiles. (via My Scandinavian Home)

12. Different Textures: Use different textures if you still haven’t found the perfect way to differentiate between your bedroom and living space. Fluffy, ultra-plush textiles will make your exposed bed feel like a separate bedroom space. Stick to more neutral rugs in your living space to really let the ones near your bed pop. (via Planete Deco)

13. Go All Out: If you’re a lover of boho patterns, add them here, there, and everywhere. Mix with different colors, textures, and sizes to make your space feel totally lived in. (via Apartment Therapy)

14. Go Big: A huge rug will make a statement in any sized home and looks stunning when topping a concrete floor. (via Design Sponge)

15. Layered: Placing different styles of rugs on one another will add major depth, so get to layering. Use a standard jute or woven rug as the base and put something with a bit more pizzazz on top. (via The Everygirl)

16. Fun Accents: No matter what your square footage is, tiny cutouts look adorable styled near the bed to bring some dreamy vibes into the area rather than leaving it blank. (via 79ideas)

Need more inspiration on how to style your small space? Follow us on Pinterest!

These 20 Small Sectional Sofas Are Actually Apartment-Friendly

Lounging on a sectional sofa makes reading a book and Netflix binges all the more cozy. But sometimes a small space doesn't have the square footage to accommodate a sofa and chaise, and fears of Ross's pivot scene in Friends (still cracks me up) start to creep up. Not to worry, though. We've rounded up sleek sectional sofas that don't take up too much space, provide tons of comfort, and look stylish to boot. Sit back, relax, and scroll for the comfiest couch made for you.

Anthropologie Kori Modular Armless Sofa

Great way to save space? Lose the arms! With this comfortable modular sofa you can do just that. We are digging this clay color too. It's 100% linen, has a tropical hardwood frame, and there's no assembly required on your part!

Castlery Hamilton Sofa (Performance Brilliance White)

This sectional is a minimalist lover’s dream while the removable cushion covers makes it easy to keep it clean. You'll receive the maximum amount of coziness without sacrificing the contemporary aesthetic you're going for.

LEISLAND Modern Sectional

Pet-friendly chenille fabric in a gorgeous blue will cheer up any small space. Two arm cushions make it extra cozy.

Albany Park Kova Sofa + Ottoman

Get sucked in for all your movie nights with this deep and cozy, cloud-soft sofa. The ottoman provides extra storage too!

Living Spaces Emery Chiffon Sofa With Reversible Chaise

This affordable sectional seats three comfortably and gives you the option to move your chaise from left to right and vice versa (the extension below the chair cushion is detached). Available with an optional storage ottoman too.

Novogratz Magnolia Sectional

This small space sectional sofa with reversible chaise has what's called a slender mailbox arm that maximizes seating space. Extra throw pillows included!

Modway Revive Modern Upholstered Right or Left Sectional

Clean lines with mid-century vibes make this sleek sofa in a rich jewel tone an easy fit for your snug space.

UO Modular Velvet Sofa

Small sectional sofas should be super cozy and chic like this modular design.

Available in a bunch of candy-colored hues, this velvet sofa is super versatile, featuring three separate pieces that you can arrange to suit your space.

Ami Sun Sofa With Reversible Chaise

Soft, suede-like fabric make this reversible chaise sofa an elegant addition to any small space, from living room to office.

Geo 2-Piece Vegan Leather Sectional

This sleek silhouette, reversible sofa and chaise is made in vegan leather upholstery that's super easy to clean.

All Modern 2-Piece Reversible Chaise Sectional (Burnt Orange Performance Velvet)

This space-conscious sofa doesn’t overwhelm a room and it's upholstery stands up to sun and spills, win-win!

Etta Avenue Chella Upholstered Sectional (Gray)

This black velvet chaise lounge has a bit of Old Hollywood vibes. It's reversible and has a unique tufted feature on the back rest. Two round pillows included — score!

Eafurn Convertible Modular Sectional Sofa

This modular sofar is easy to assemble, super affordable, and comes in a soft corduroy upholstery.

West Elm Oliver 2-Piece Chaise Sectional

West Elm has great sofas and this one is totally affordable and small-space-friendly at just under 80 inches wide.

APT2B Harper Reversible Chaise Sleeper Sofa (Blush Velvet)

You’ll get to have one of the cutest sectional sofas out there while creating a sleepover situation with the sleeper option! It’ll be ready 30 days after you make your purchase because it’s made to order!

IKEA FRIHETEN Sectional (Skiftebo Blue)

This convertible sleeper sofa is great for studio dwellers and comes with built-in storage to boot.

Burrow Field 3-Piece Sectional Lounger

This compact, two-seater with chaise has deep seats, plush cushions, and comes with an ottoman (you can also add seating as you grow into a larger space).

Mario Capasa Feathers Sectional (Grey)

This washable sectional is water-resistant and stain-resistant and the feather-and-fiber blend batting make it so cozy.

Best Choice Linen Sectional Sofa w/ Chaise Lounge (Black)

For less than $800, you’ll be able to say that you have one of the best sectional sofas that doesn't require you to spend a ton of cash. I’m all about finding ways to save money so I made sure this linen beauty is at the top of my list.

It’s a modular sofa that comes with a reversible ottoman and is designed to fit three people comfortably. This works perfectly if you’re in the mood to catch up on Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 with your besties.

Latitude Run 2-Piece Corduroy Sectional (Dark Green)

With its 4.8 rating on Wayfair, this is one of the best sectional sofas you’ll find under $1000. You’ll get free white glove delivery (such an advantage) so you can spend more time worrying about how many naps you can take on it.

It’s incredibly comfortable with its deep seating and has a moderate height that comfortably fits short and taller people. If it’s just you and your roommate or S.O., you should definitely consider this two-seater!

Find more home decor inspo on our Home page and follow us on Pinterest!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Header image via Albany Park

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Jasmine Williams.

sofas small space living apartment home decor ideas small spaces home decor

24 Cozy 'Gilmore Girls' Gifts For Anyone Who'd Rather Be In Stars Hollow

If there's one thing about Gilmore Girls fans you can count on, it's their passion. They love the quirky one liners, memorable moments, and are usually either Team Jess or Team Logan (sorry Dean...). Give any Gilmore Girls lover in your life the chance to transport themselves to Stars Hollow this holiday season — without having to make the trek to Washington, Connecticut or the Warner Bros. stage in Hollywood. These Gilmore Girls gift ideas are fun, thoughtful, and very cozy, which are also three hallmarks of the series itself! From a coffee mug that Luke Danes would approve of to the perfect gifts for Taylor Swift fans, this Gilmore Girlsgift guide will make you say "Oy with the poodles already!"

Now that we're in knee-high boot season (which I FINALLY bought), I like to wear super fun, colorful, and chaotic socks. Grab a pack of Gilmore Girls socks to take some Stars Hollow magic with you no matter where you go.

Etsy

Gilmore Girls Themed Blind Date with a Book

For this bookish blind date, you'll receive a Rory-themed read, a tea bag, a bookmark, and stickers. You really can't go wrong.

Favorite Child

Stars Hollow Books Tote Bag

Carrying your favorite books in a tote bag with the Stars Hollow Books logo feels like it's meant to be.

Amazon

Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don't Want to Forget to Remember

Lauren Graham's collection of essays will give you a glimpse behind the curtain as she offers thoughtful stories about life, aging, and the industry.

Which gifts from this Gilmore Girls gift guide will you be buying for your friends (or yourself)? Let us know in the comments!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

gilmore girls shopping fashion home pop culture entertainment gift guide

Small Bedroom Ideas That Will Actually Maximize Your Space

I just moved into my first apartment in New York City and even though I knew that rooms in the city were small, I don't think anything could have prepared me for the actual logistics of moving into a room this tiny. Not only do you have to figure out how to arrange your furniture, but if you're like me, you have to work around heating pipes, fire escapes, and doorways that are at an angle.

Because of how much time we spend eating cozy food, watching movies, and all-around hibernating during the winter, now is the perfect time to tackle a home improvement refresh. Whether you're also tackling life in the big city or you're moving into a studio or tiny house, here are some tips and tricks for living in a small space, as well as some products that I can really and truly recommend since I have them in my room ;).

Small Bedroom Ideas

Measure Your Room + Make A Spreadsheet

Look at your room like you would a scale model — measure the distance between the walls, the doors, and the windows (you'll also want to get the measurements of your furniture) so that you can create a spreadsheet. The easiest way to do this is to turn one inch into one square on your sheet so that it's an even ratio.

Whether or not your room has an unconventional design, it's essential to know how much space you're working with. This is the spreadsheet that I use (shoutout to my mom for helping me with this), and it was super helpful to get a bird's eye view of the room and how the furniture fits together.

Start From The Ground Up

Choosing a light-colored rug with a low-key pattern (or no pattern at all) can make the room feel brighter and larger. You can also come up with a color strategy for furniture and bedspreads since lighter colors reflect light and make the space feel more open. But just because you choose neutral and bright bases doesn't mean the rest of your room has to be neutrals. Check out our 2022 color trends for some ideas!

One super easy tip for making your setup as seamless as possible is to set up your rug first, then add your bed frame, and do your remaining furniture last. That way you can adjust the rug and bed frame without having to move heavy furniture every single time.

18 Inch Bed Frame

$99

$67

Buy Now

Use Every Inch Of Space

When you live in a large room with multiple storage options, you might not use every available space... because you don't need to. But when you're working with a small room, you want to be as intentional as possible. The space under the bed is one place that you simply cannot waste when you don't have a ton of room. Get a tall bed frame or risers so you can put tubs of next season's clothes, seasonal decor, and things from your childhood that don't need to be on display. Or opt for a lofted bedinstead!

There is also a ton of potential in your vertical space. Add accessory organizers and extra shelves to your walls, and choose tall and skinny pieces instead of short and wide ones. They'll give you similar storage, without taking up the same amount of floorspace. You can also utilize the top of a dresser, doorknobs, and the back of your door.

Get Unconventional + Multifunctional Pieces

If your room is unconventional, then your furniture should be too! Squeeze a sofa table in between your bed and the wall if you don't have room for a regular bedside table, and get a desk with a shelf above and below the actual workspace. If you don't have a closet, you can grab a double clothing rack to fit twice the amount of clothes, or try this hanger hack to fit more clothesinto your regular rack.

Even if you're working with less decor than you'd like, there are still plenty of luxury decor hacks you can include to make your room look expensive, without the price tag. Make sure every piece pulls double duty so that it looks good and you can put it to use, like a hamper that doubles as decor or beautiful jars from your latest trip that double as jewelry holders. Here are some more tips for making a small space feel bigger!

Sofa Table with Outlet

$160

$140

Buy Now

Tag us with your small space creations on Instagram and check out our Pinterest and email newsletter for more home inspiration.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

small space decor small space living home

Angelina Jolie Finally Opened Up About Her "Extremely Private" Kids & Motherhood

Angelina Jolie has always been mother — but she's also a literal mother to six kids whom she clearly cares about fiercely. Since she first adopted Zahara, Maddox, and Pax to giving birth to Vivienne and Knox, it's always been evident that her children are her entire world. While she rarely talks about her children (especially given her highly contested divorce at the moment), Angelina shared a little slice of her feelings on motherhood, insights on her children, and more with Good Morning America.

Here's what Angelina Jolie had to say about her kids — including which one of them is the most private!

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Angelina opened up about her feelings for her family while chatting about her new movie Maria with Good Morning Americaon November 21, 2024. Host Michael Strahan asked Angie about if there's anything she loves as much as her character loves singing, and she replied that it's her "motherhood."

"It’s my happiness. You can take everything else away from me," she said. "I could — nothing else matters."

When asked about her sons' involvement in Maria, Angelina explained that despite their involvement behind the scenes, they're very uninterested in a life in the spotlight. She said, "None of my children want to be in front of the camera. They're quite private."

Angelina elaborated, "Shiloh's extremely private. They weren't born with privacy, so I hope they can have that."

This interview comes after Angelina and Knox attended the Governor's Awards with her on November 18, 2024. His rare appearance shocked so many — including Brad. Daily Mail reported that Pitt found the timing "suspicious."

The source said, "'She is trying to get under his skin after his recent win and using Knox to do so is odd. Knox wants nothing to do with Hollywood and has no communication with Brad."

Despite the weirdness, the source also said, "He [Brad] believes that, in time, his children will come back into his life."

How many kids does Angelina Jolie have?

Angelina Jolie has six children. She adopted Zahara, Maddox, and Pax, and later gave birth to Vivienne and Shiloh. She shares her children with Brad Pitt, most of whom aren't on good terms with him at the moment.

Looking for more celebrity news? Be sure to follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

celebrities entertainment celebrity news

New Mom Shares Exactly How Much It Cost To Have A Baby In 2024 – Spoiler Alert, It’s A LOT

Just how expensive is it to have a baby in 2024? One woman sharing her experience on social media has sparked a much-needed conversation about financial transparency when it comes to starting (or growing) a family.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Josephine Anderson (@fosterthevalley)

Josephine Anderson, who posted a video on her Instagram @fosterthevalley, outlined the costs of her uncomplicated vaginal birth, and TBH, it was shocking.

The financial breakdown of her experience (with Cigna for insurance):

Routine office visits (including 2 ultrasounds): $1,266
Labs: $3,440.81
NIPT genetic testing: $15,319.36
Anatomy scan: $1,270
RhoGam: $360
Hospital for mom: $23,722.10
Hospital for baby: $7,402.80
OBGYN for delivery: $5,000
Epidural: $5,720
Breastfeeding support: $2,589.78
Pediatrician: $209

That all racks up to a whopping total of $66,299.85. After insurance was factored in (her deductible was $3,000 while her max out-of-pocket for in-network expenses was $11,000), the total cost for her uncomplicated vaginal birth was $4,788.98. Forbes Advisor reports the average cost of having a baby in 2024 is $2,854.

Instagram

Josephine’s video warranted thousands of comments, most of which were appalled by the costs of her experience:

“This needs to be shared in SexEd classes,” one commenter wrote.

“The US medical system is BROKEN,” another said.

“And people are still confused why more women are choosing to remain child free… we literally can’t afford it,” another user commented.

Mart Production / PEXELS

Brit + Co spoke with Wendy Colson RN, IBCLC and CEO/Founder of BOOBIE Superfoods to gauge if Josephine’s costs were typical for the care she received. Colson has significant insight into how insurance works not only from an employer’s perspective, but from personal experience as a patient with breast cancer.

“The $4,788.98 net amount she mentions is realistic given that her deductible was $3,000. If she had chosen a plan with a $1,000 deductible – which is a common ceiling for good coverage – the same scenario would have cost her around $2,789,” Colson said. “The video highlights the importance of understanding what you're getting with an insurance plan, especially when you anticipate major life events like childbirth.”

Sarah Chai / PEXELS

Colson primarily attributes unanticipated costs for medical care (like in Josephine’s case) to patients that choose their insurance plans with, well, no real plan.

“Many [people] opt for the [plan] with the lowest paycheck deductions without fully evaluating the benefits,” Colson said.

There’s often a tradeoff between paying less per paycheck and receiving your desired benefits: for example, if you elect to contribute less money towards your insurance per paycheck, you may end up paying more out of pocket for things like doctor’s office visits and prescriptions.

“Making an informed choice is key to saving money in the long run,” Colson continued. “In short, it's crucial to consider both the immediate costs (like paycheck deductions) and the potential future costs (like deductibles and copays) when choosing an insurance plan.”

Anna Shvets / PEXELS

Another major cost Josephine mentions in her video was 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, which cost her a total of $18,000 (in lost income).

Per the passing of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in 1993, moms have a legal right to up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. The U.S. Department of Labor notes that the act was designed to help employees balance their work and family responsibilities, accommodate the legitimate interests of employers, and promote equal employment opportunity for men and women.

Matilda Wormwood / PEXELS

It all sounds great until you realize the time off is indeed unpaid, which doesn't really aid in the amount of money parents end up owing after all is said and done in the pregnancy and childbirth processes.

Only 13 states plus the District of Columbia offer paid maternity leave. When you compare the United States’ laws to that of other industrialized nations, they don’t exactly measure up.

Colson says Sweden’s maternity leave policy is “one of the most generous,” offering 390 days of paid parental leave (shared between parents) and 80% of wages covered for a significant portion of the leave. In Germany, mothers are entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave plus a tax-free, income-based allowance straight from their insurance provider.

Jonathan Borba / PEXELS

Though it’s likely that US laws will never be that generous in terms of paid maternity leave, there are a few things you can do to make the blow of medical costs hurt a little less, says Colson.

“My advice is to be your own advocate,” she says. “If you’re planning to have a baby, start by understanding what your state provides in terms of paid leave to avoid surprises after delivery.”

To keep the cost of having your baby (if you’re planning to have one) transparent and free of surprises, Colson recommends:

Asking your physician’s office for a detailed breakdown of insurance billing codes, including:
- Office visits
- Lab work
- Epidural (and the anesthesiologist’s separate fee)
- Hospital admissions
- Specialist consultations during admission
- Optional procedures like circumcision, if desired
Email the insurance billing codes to your insurance provider, who can help calculate your out-of-pocket costs and deductible

“Having a baby is priceless,” Colson says. “By planning ahead – understanding your insurance options, healthcare costs, and available benefits – you can ensure peace of mind and focus on what truly matters: your growing family.”

Subscribe to our newsletter for more stories!

lifestyle baby parenting tips financial advice healthcare money