Whether you drew the short straw in a houseshare or are simply ready to downsize, living in a small space can challenge even the most inventive of us. Even if tiny house living isn’t perfect (storage space, we’re looking at you), you also can overcome the challenges and create a cosy, adorable corner that you’ll never want to leave thanks to Instagram’s influence.
- Get Upside Down
When you have a small home, clutter is your greatest enemy, so make the most of your storage options. Incorporate the lessons of urban planning by expanding vertically rather than horizontally. Open and closed shelving, as well as a key holder for wall, are ideal for storing a wide variety of items while taking up a minimum of visual and physical square footage.
Focusing on the ceiling, from the kitchen cupboards to the window coverings, will help keep your home from looking like a hodgepodge of miscellaneous items. And if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a large wall unit, a neat compact desk that you place on the wall will do the trick.
- Multi-Functional Fun
Furniture in a small room must always serve multiple functions, such as a lounger that can be converted into a sofa and guest bed by adding a few throw pillows, a set of perching tables that can be utilized as cocktail owners on a girls’ night in, or a settee that may be moved from a coffee table to an extra seat in an instant. Since there likely isn’t much vertical space in your studio flat, it’s important to keep your counters and tables clear so that they may serve several purposes. You won’t mind the compact layout as much if you can move freely between the living area, kitchen, and bedroom.
- Invite the Light
Natural light has the magical effect of making even the smallest room seem much larger. However, most cramped quarters also have cramped windows. There are, however, methods by which you may allow more light in. It is possible to reflect more light from outside into the room by hanging a mirror on the wall opposing a window. White sheer window coverings will let in light while blocking out the creepers, so stick to neutral hues everywhere in the room. Paint the small home in lighter hues to make it feel more spacious & open.
- Make Room For Shadow
You might also think about lighting solutions, such as using indirect or recessed lighting instead of direct, overhead light. Light sources like lamps, reading lights, & fairy lights cast shadows and highlight architectural details, giving the impression that a room is larger than it is. Still too dazzling? You might try layering a translucent scarf over it for a seductive pop of colour.
- Go Tonal
Whitewashing is a common method used to make a tiny room look more open and airy. With colour having the ability to make a space feel overly stimulating, this may achieve the intended impact. If you don’t want completely white space, though, tonal motifs are another option. White may not be your best option, but bold colours like navy or green can make a statement while yet being soothing. Using more muted tones and adding only a pop of colours elsewhere, such as in an elegant touch or an area rug, may do wonders for a cramped home.
- The Right Rug
If you want a nice rug but are limited by a tiny room, don’t let that stop you. Having a little rug can make the room feel even smaller, while a huge rug that takes up much of the room’s floor space can do the opposite. Choose a rug big enough for all of your furniture items to fit on it to add depth, which visually expands the room while also establishing a sense of equilibrium. If your floor is made of hardwood, a soft rug pad will keep your rug from sliding around.
- Scale it Up
You shouldn’t restrict yourself to a small selection of rugs, furniture, or artwork, as was suggested above. Instead, enlarge a selection of pieces that are particularly striking or eye-catching. A space will feel even smaller if you decorate it with nothing but postcard-style paintings and miniature furniture. Use a variety of scales, and give more weight to the larger figures. To give your space a sense of dimension, try using floor-length window coverings, huge throw cushions, or vining houseplants that cascade to the ground.
- Adding a Touch of Vibrant Color
There was once a time when people who lived in small homes were restricted to using muted colours, but those days are long gone. If you go for a colourful throw, a bold accent pillow, or the addition of a few carefully placed plants, the effect will be the same: the space will feel more open and inviting.
