If you’re reading this article, you probably already live in a small place or you’re looking to downsize. Living in a small abode is attractive for so many reasons. Indeed, a smaller home can help cut down on the actual cost of living, save precious time spent cleaning and more importantly, lower your environmental footprint. In addition, it can help purge your life of the things you don’t need, minimizing your overall clutter.
While there are many benefits of living in a small home, unfortunately they have a reputation as being a bit of problem when it comes to making them “work”. However, the good news is that there are plenty of tricks to make the most out of a petite home or apartment. Little things, for example, like installing drawers that are just 10 inches deeper than average can create lots of additional space to store stuff! So with downsizing in mind here are 5 IDEAL ways to make the most out of small spaces in a home.
FLOATING AND OPEN SHELVING
Corners and vertical spaces are your best friends if you live in a small space. Open and floating shelving will help you free as much floor space as possible and create additional storage spaces to house anything from a makeshift closet and bookshelves to a minute office setup. Not to mention the fact that they can fit everywhere from under stairs and over bookcases to nooks and, why not, even over doorways!
FURNITURE WITH MULTI-USE OR FOLD UP FUNCTIONALITIES
Just a quick look into the current market will give you a plethora of pieces of stylish furniture designed with utmost small-space functionality in mind. You could invest on loft beds (the new modern styles are similar to dormitory-like beds), foldable chairs, fold-out desks and tables (also extendable tables), coffee tables or ottomans with storage space inside, and Murphy beds. The idea is to leave the floor as empty as possible. Then, you may fill the unused space with your absolute essentials (i.e., a sofa).
LESS IS MORE!
Getting in the right mindset when living in a small space is key. The whole idea here is to go with one large statement piece, like a big corner sofa (it may sound counterintuitive, but it really works), instead of many cluttered, tiny paintings and small knick-knacks. Also, take a good look around the home or apartment and see if there are any stuff that you don’t really need, like those display cases or extra bookcases.
PLAY WITH LIGHT AND CREATE REFLECTIONS
Natural light can transform your small space. Allowing as much of it as possible enter your rooms will make the spaces feel bigger. To maximise natural light, consider putting up light window treatments, although this may not be ideal for bedroom windows. The secret here is to avoid covering your windows up and ensuring your curtain rods extend beyond the window frame. Then, the place will instantly feel more spacious! Now, if you don’t have that many windows, creating reflections is another tried-and-true way to open up space. Consider hanging a large, decorative mirror opposite a window.
Another option to consider is the installation of bi-fold doors to your home. This stylish renovation option fills your living spaces with light and makes a room look larger. They are also ideal for creating an outside-in vibe, which is perfect for admiring and enjoying your garden space.
USE COLOUR WISELY
The right selection of the colour palette can dramatically change the feel and look of your small apartment or home. So, use colour to your advantage by choosing lighter shades for the walls to make the room feel bigger or opt for a darker hue to create the illusion of space, add depth and expand the space.
In regards to your décor, opt for neutral tones. If you want to inject some texture or colour to increase the wow factor and add interest, you could use pops of texture and colour. Steer clear from loud patterns and large prints, though, which will give you the opposite result and make your space feel more cramped than it really is.
FINAL TIPS
- Drawing the eye up will help cultivate a much-appreciated sense of openness. Have you noticed how hanging pictures up high or installing the curtain rods a tad higher than the window frame make low-ceiling rooms seem loftier?
- Moving things to the edges of a room is a common practice among many small-home owners that wish to make their rooms look more sizeable. This, unfortunately, takes the sense of warmth away. Centring the place is believed to be a much more effective method to give a more airy sensation to the space. Try moving your sofa, club chair, and slipper chair toward the middle of the room (you could help unify the room by placing a neutral-coloured rug under the sitting arrangement) and see how it feels. Some people find it bizarre while others love it!
- Mixing various green options (could be eclectic white pots with flowers, macramé plant hangers, or long, hanging plants that drape down from high shelves) can help give a natural and diversified look to the space.