It can be a challenge when it comes to small space living, your furniture, accessories and decor need to work that little bit harder. But with a few design tricks you can make your space feel much larger.
To make the space feel bigger, use pale colours on the walls to maximise natural light coming in from windows. Decorate walls with paint that use light reflecting particles to bounce light around. Look out for wallpaper with light reflective surfaces in the pattern, such as silver and gold or a glossy surface. Like wise add a couple of reflective surfaces to bounce light around the room, think of using, glass, mirrors, and shinny surfaces.
When purchasing furniture, remember to measure the space where the item will be fitting into, and measure the piece of furniture before you buy it to check that it will fit. If something is going to fit close to the wall, measure from the skirting board, not the wall, in a small space the difference of it fitting could be that extra 1cm.
Choose sofas and chair that have exposed legs as apposed to a sofa with a valance running along the bottom of it, this extends the floor area visible to the eye making it appear to be a larger surface.
Make every inch of the space work for you, consider a fold down table, stackable chairs,if possible add shelves to walls.
Where possible use flooring throughout the home in the same colour and style, again doing this makes the area seem larger, it tricks the eye in thinking the space is bigger than it is.
Where possible use flooring throughout the home in the same colour and style, again doing this makes the area seem larger, it tricks the eye in thinking the space is bigger than it is.
Zoning an area in a small space can be difficult, so make your furniture work harder, for example this Ikea work station has everything to hand, but take up less floor space, and the roll top can be pulled down, hiding the contents when finished .
Keep window dressing simple and unfussy. If you need to shut out the day light, use a black out blind, which can be pulled up during the day. Add a pair of light coloured curtains to dress the windows.
Got any space saving ideas to share? why not leave a comment or email me at thishomesweethome@yahoo.co.uk
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=68254198-ef35-4db1-9599-8b794f501d60)
Great idea - I need this for my condo!
ReplyDeleteLindsay
mswhipp.blogspot.ca
Love this color palette. Really good tips for keeping a cozy space very open with lots of breathing room.
ReplyDeleteKate from Clear the Way
Very valuable advice! They're especially helpful since I live in NYC where living space is pretty cramped. I love the tip about choosing sofas that have exposed legs.
ReplyDeleteGlad it's been a helpful post for you. :-)
DeleteGreat suggestions, decorating a small space can be so difficult. Before buying furniture I'd also recommend mapping out the dimensions of the piece in masking tape or paper on the floor to be sure it balances with the space. Proportion is so important in small spaces.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! But what about when you have a home with a completely differnt style from that one? Like a sophisticated, more contemporary home? It's not the same... I suggest this piece http://www.bocadolobo.com/en/coolors-collection/seating-others/queens/index.php in case you would like to propose something different next time :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for these tips, it all makes perfect sense, I have found that having the same flooring continue through numerous rooms does open up a space, I also have a large mirror in my lounge which really opens up the room, not just adding light but style too. You can find beautiful mirrors out there, that are beautiful feature pieces to fill a wall, without making a room feel cluttered. My walls are very neutral, but then i've added warmth with natural wood furniture, which helps break up harsh lines.
ReplyDelete