We’d all love the luxury of a spacious home. Having to make do with a bijou living environment is not without its challenges. From limited storage space to hosting difficulties, having a small dwelling can be tricky. However, you don’t need to up sticks and move to a larger, more expensive house; instead, with a few clever rearrangements and style choices, you can make the most of your smaller home, creating the illusion of space. Read on to find out more.
It’s no secret that lighter colours create the illusion of space due to their light-reflecting abilities. You don’t need to opt for a stark white environment; with so many colours available, you can find a palette that aligns with your personal taste and aesthetic preferences. Additionally, experimenting with varying shades allows you to create depth and infuse your rooms with personality. For instance, you use the 60-30-10 rule. According to this rule, aim for 60% of the space to be dominated by a pale, neutral hue while dedicating 30% to a secondary colour or texture. The remaining 10% should be allocated for an accent colour, adding a vibrant touch in the form of ornaments and accessories.
A well-lit space creates an impression of openness and expansiveness. Using natural light is an effective way to make a space feel bigger than it is while exuding a bright, airy charm for an inviting ambience. The easiest way to maximise natural light in any room is to keep your curtains or blinds open during the day, ensuring your windows are clean and free from smudges and stains. Another excellent way to make the most of natural light is to include mirrors and other reflective surfaces to create the illusion of depth.
In the evenings, you can create the illusion of space by evenly distributing artificial light - turn the main overhead light off and replace it with pools of soft, overlapping light from numerous sources.
Open space naturally feels larger and more airy, so consider opening up your floor plan by removing walls or doors, if feasible. By eliminating physical barriers, you can seamlessly connect different areas of your living space, allowing for better flow and a sense of expansiveness. Furthermore, open-plan living spaces are generally seen as more practical and suitable for hosting. Whether it's merging the kitchen and dining area or integrating the living room with a nearby study, embracing an open floor plan can significantly transform your home into a spacious and airy environment.
When styling a smaller room to feel bigger, your selection of furniture can significantly impact the overall ambience and functionality of the environment. Opt for pieces that are appropriately scaled to the size of your room. You don’t need to compromise quality or style; for example, hardwood furniture is remarkably durable and timelessly stylish. You can transform a small space into an elegant yet functional dining area with a small oak dining table. You could also consider extendable or fold-out furniture to streamline traffic flow.
Sufficient storage space is crucial when it comes to smaller living areas. Lack of storage will lead to clutter, making your space feel even smaller and more claustrophobic. Furniture featuring integrated storage space, such as ottomans with hidden compartments or beds with drawers underneath, provide excellent opportunities to stow items, keeping your living space streamlined and clutter-free. Additionally, explore creative storage solutions like wall-mounted shelves, hanging organisers, or modular furniture systems that maximise vertical space. Innovative storage solutions enable you to effectively utilise every inch of your home, creating a more spacious and functional living environment.
By drawing the eye upwards, you can make a room appear taller and more spacious than it actually is. A simple way to do this is to rethink the length of your curtains. Unscrew your curtain rail and reattach it up close to the ceiling. Replace your regular curtains with full-length alternatives that stretch from ceiling to floor, creating a vertical line that creates the illusion of height. You can achieve a similar effect with furniture items like tall shelves and display cabinets.