Blog
Small is beautiful!
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Whether you believe that “small is beautiful” or think “the bigger the better”, in property terms size does matter. So whether you live in a compact studio apartment and want to maximise the space or just want to get more out of a small room or unused area in your house, here are some ideas to inspire you. The trick is to look for ways to have smarter space in your home even if you can’t extend your space. If you find ways to maximize your square footage with efficient use of storage solutions and combine that with careful décor and furnishing, you can make a small living space feel much larger.
By maximizing the available space in your home, you can make it feel spacious and welcoming no matter how small it is. The hallway is the first part of your home that visitors see and also the way you leave your home each day so it can really make a difference.
Utilise dead space under stairs with a bespoke storage solution, have wall mounted hooks for coats and bags and a large mirror to reflect light, visually doubling the size of the room.
The kitchen is often the busiest room, with space at a premium, and which needs to be both functional and welcoming. Storage is key and this is an ideal place to think vertically. Choose tall units extending to the ceiling and stretch storage space upward so you’re using vertical space, not floor space. Whether you’re hanging art or shelves, don’t waste vertical space. Use it to draw the eye upwards, making space feel larger than it really is.
It’s easy for living rooms to become cluttered and cramped so use multifunctional furniture such as trunks for coffee tables creating additional storage space for DVDs, games or magazines. Even better if furniture is both multifunctional and fold away. Install a wall-mounted foldable bed for guests - the perfect space saver.
Sometimes with smaller rooms, people avoid large furniture believing that it will dominate the room. A myth! Use fewer but larger pieces and you could end up saving quite a bit of space. Make every piece count, however. Choose furnishings and décor that offer maximum functionality with minimal footprint.
Visual continuity creates a calm mood and makes rooms appear more spacious. Use light, solid tones on walls and encourage as much natural light as possible to make your home to feel bigger. Add colour with accessories but keep walls light and avoid patterns. Open curtains and blinds and allow light to flood in. Light and pale colours create a perception space and windows enhance this with a view to the outside, creating even more distance.
Have dual or triple purpose rooms, carefully zoned to give the impression of further rooms. Consider what you need from a room, then section it with areas for relaxing, eating, sleeping. Room dividers can function as additional storage, bookshelves for example, or divide areas using materials that allow plenty of light to filter through, such as glass bricks or floaty muslin panels.
Whether buying or renting, a smaller property is likely to cost you less, so you’ll save on monthly payments, giving you the freedom to do more with your money. Focus on smarter space rather than more space and you’ll find that you have both a happy home and a healthier bank account. Small IS beautiful!
