While many people dream of living in a huge, sprawling mansion with several wings to get lost in, the fact is that with space at a premium, accommodation is getting smaller and most of us live in a space that’s just about big enough for our needs or even feels far too small.
But bigger is not always better, and in this post I want to focus on the virtues of smaller spaces and give some advice on how to make the most of them.
Small is beautiful
Before you start, consider the benefits to living in a smaller, cosier space. It’s always good to bear in mind that many people actually choose to downsize, because running a large house takes hard work, time and money – and can also be physically exhausting and overwhelming. In a smaller house or flat, you’ll already be saving on energy and upkeep, so you’ll have more to play with when you do want to make any improvements or alterations to your home.
You’ll have to make some compromises: large house parties are probably out, and you’ll have more limited choices in furnishing and decor. But once you know the basics of space-solving, you’ll be surprised at how much space you can pull out of nowhere…
Can the clutter
If you’ve been following the recent blog posts on decluttering, the good news is you’re already well on the way to making your place look bigger. By getting rid of unnecessary bits and pieces, not only will your home become physically less cramped and crowded – you’ll feel clearer and calmer in yourself, too. Clean, uncluttered spaces are restful and easy on the eye, creating the illusion of spaciousness – but a room that’s too ‘busy’ leads us to focus in on the smaller details as the scattered elements all fight for our attention. Hardly a recipe for peaceful living!
Tricks of the light
Lighting is very important in creating the illusion of more space. First, try to optimise the flow of natural light into your home by ridding it of heavy curtains and too much frosted glass; you can speak to your local window glazing specialist about options that allow privacy but don’t make your home look gloomy. For blinds and curtains, choose sheer fabrics that illuminate rather than totally block out ambient light - they’ll work just as well for reducing dazzle and glare, but will allow in the daylight you need to open up your space, making it look instantly larger.
If your home has only tiny windows, you can create similar effects with artificial light, but you’ll need to really focus on getting the right equipment. You’d be surprised how much effective daylight-mimicking technology is available nowadays, as well as lighting consultants who will be happy to discuss your specific needs.
If you have any dark cupboards, alcoves or deep recesses, lighting up these spaces will create room you never knew you had. Speak to your electrician to find out where you can add extra light in your home.
Deceptive decor
A common tip for home decor in smaller spaces is to avoid ‘busy’ wallpaper designs, and this is a rule that generally holds true. But if you really like the colourful and trendy flock styles that are big at the moment you can still get away with them if used sparingly; perhaps limited to wood panels or cupboard doors. This is one of many decor dilemmas you might want to bring in an interior design specialist to help you solve.
Lighter colours on the walls will add to the brightness you’re aiming to create by letting in additional light, so stick to these wherever possible. White will do this more efficiently than any other shade, but you’ll also have success with pale greens, blues and cream tones. And if it’s an option, you might want to paint some of your furniture in pale colours too; especially if you’ve got a lot of dark, heavy wood. That a look round a hardware store for some ideas of the type of paint available.
Always bear in mind that too much stark contrast will ‘break up’ a space, making it appear smaller – you want to minimise this interruption by keeping as many elements as similar a colour as possible. You can use drapes and throws if painting furniture is not an option.
If you have low ceilings, hanging your curtains high will make your room look taller. You may find that just moving them up by a foot will create the illusion of height in a room.
Whether you live in a flat, bedsit, caravan or houseboat, there are loads of good tricks to creating the illusion of space, and the good news is you won’t have to make your home look like a fairground hall of mirrors to get results! If you have any really tricky space issues, leave a comment to let me know and I’ll see if I can help.
[...] • Tardis tips: how to make a small space look bigger [...]