BIG IDEAS FOR LITTLE SPACES

Big ideas for little spaces By Megan Dunn How to make small rooms live large

Small living rooms, whether you are living with one or weighing up the options of a home with a smaller footprint, is probably something we can all envision and imagine the potential pitfalls which accompany them.

The lounge is one of the hearts of the home and a space where a lot of time is spent. Therefore, a compromised space is often associated with a compromised level of living or relaxation, which is in no way appealing. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Don’t let a small living room stop you from expressing your personal design flare, nor rule out a property simply for this one drawback.

It’s time to turn this perceived disadvantage around, introducing some simple tricks for maximising your undersized living room. How does that old saying go… “It’s all smoke and mirrors”. Well funnily enough, the use of mirrors in your living room is the perfect trick to deceive the size of the space. Sharon Moore from Nextdore interior design company in Christchurch recommends opting for simple floor length mirrors that she says accentuate any space beautifully. “Selecting larger simple mirrors and putting them in an area by windows where they can reflect and filter light back into the room is the ultimate key for not only brightening the space, but also creating the optical illusion it is much bigger; a fantastic special effect.” Also, it’s a great feature for quickly checking your makeup and hair before you nip out the front door, perfect! Now onto furniture - the obvious staple in any lounge. The key here is not overdoing the size of the furniture you decide to select.

Although a large furniture set seems like a great idea when viewing it instore, remember to be practical. Something fundamental to remember here is that as soon as heavy, dark and extremely large furniture pieces are removed from a small room, it instantly opens and clears up the space.

A good tip is to avoid any couch or furniture item that spreads wall to wall with no gap in between - you always want to make sure you can see the edge of furniture and walk around it - no gaps will instantly close you in. Taking your tape measure to the furniture store along with pictures of your lounge is a great trick to make sure you don’t go astray. In general think light with nothing that is to chunky and oversized; other than that, staying true to your personal style means you can never go to wrong. Lastly, we can’t forget about storage - something every space needs to accommodate the extravagant volume of stuff we accumulate over our lifetimes.

A really classic, easy spin on storage that works perfectly for a smaller space, is in-built shelving/ book units.

Not only do they bring a classic sleek look to any home, they serve as the perfect storage idea for a small room, as they allow for more room to move around, maximising space and minimising the floor space traditional storage units use up. Another great thing is that the shelf is completely customisible, so you can choose the design and spec that fulfils your taste, need and budget.

Something fundamental to remember here is that as soon as heavy, dark and extremely large furniture pieces are removed from a small room, it instantly opens and clears up the space. ”