6 minute read
Likkle But Tallawah: 10 Key Do's to Decorating Small Spaces
by nhtjm
Tallawah Likkle but
10
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Key do's
to Decorating Small Spaces
By: Danielle Edwards
Here’s the undeniable and unavoidable truth: the average size of houses are shrinking. It’s economics. The demand for housing has skyrocketed when compared to just over a decade ago. So what does this mean? More houses are being built at faster rates to satisfy this ever-growing demand.
With land being a finite resource, more developers are trying to get more houses out of less land, which means reduced square footage.
This is particularly more evident in urban areas where most homes are now being built vertically as high-rise apartments.
This means inherently less space for homeowners to work with, particularly when considering layout and décor.
Decorating small spaces can feel like an impossible puzzle. You want it to be filled with personality, but it can't look chaotic or cluttered. When I first bought my apartment, I struggled with how to make the most of the space. I wanted to marry form and function without compromising style. So, I downloaded every design app I could find, consulted with several designers, and put my sofa-guy through many a headache trying to create the best sofa design for the space.
The advice on the home décor blogs was ridiculously confusing. One blog told me, “paint the whole space in white. You know what? Forget brushes. Just smear the entire bucket on the wall. Better yet, create an internal blizzard.”
Another suggested, “Go bold! Paint this wall black but put this wall in print. Buy patterned pillows. Go ahead and replicate this Anglo-Saxon design that only works for the people on HGTV. “
Thankfully, I eventually got the handle of it and learned that the trick was to make the space appear bigger than it truly was with smart styling and a great layout strategy.
I went through that headache, so you don’t have to. Here are my top ten ideas to guide you on how to
transform your small space into a sanctuary that you'll never want to leave.
1. Use a sheet of graph paper to design your layout
If you’re like me, graph paper can give you PTSD. I spent many of my high school days mapping out points in a bid to locate x. However, a cool trick that I learned from Karen Booker, Creative Director of ‘Design Divaz’, was to design the layout of your home using graph paper where one block represents 1 foot of space. This will assist you to really visualise the placement and design of some of your pieces.
2. Keep the Floor Clear
I swear by this tip. Where possible, mount your furnishings. Not only does it make cleaning much easier, but it offers you extra storage space underneath. The less floor space you have covered, the larger the appearance of the space. Try floating pieces, such as shelves and nightstands. Opt for sconces and wall lights rather than floor lamps.
3. Focus on Lighting
Small spaces can often end up feeling dark, due to small or non-existent windows. Make up for the lack of natural light by adding plenty of light sources in every room. Consider striking ceiling fixtures like a pretty pendant or an elegant flush mount, depending on your ceiling height. Add sconces or table lamps for a cosy and bright atmosphere. My favourite trick is placing LED strip lights both above and below the cupboards.
4. Mirrors Are Your FriendS
If you’re not blessed with an abundance of natural light, mirrors can help you make the most of the light you do have by reflecting it around the room. Mirrors can also help make the space feel bigger, giving the illusion of a few more square feet. Consider lining a wall with a large mirror or creating a mirror gallery wall of different sizes and shapes.
5. Less is more… at least on the surface
Nothing screams "I don’t have enough room" like furniture pressed up against the wall and packed so tightly together that they’re practically stacked. Pull furnishings away from the wall if you can and make sure there’s space between pieces. Also, spring for furniture that has some added storage in order to reduce the clutter.
6. Go for Folding Pieces
You may need a desk and a dining table, but do you need them 24/7? Consider installing furnishings that can fold up when not in use. You’ll free up floor space and avoid the stacks of mail and work that inevitably pile up on these surfaces.
7. Choose the Right Rug
A good-sized rug is the one item you don’t want to skimp on. A tiny rug will make the room feel equally small. Unlike smaller rugs, larger ones don't visually break up the floor. This can also help to anchor the space and give you a good staple piece to design the rest of the room around. Pick a floor covering that’s large enough that most of your furniture will sit on it, or just go wall-to-wall.
8. Choose appropriately sized and styled furniture
Selecting furniture that’s too large will clutter the space and using furniture that’s too small will surprisingly make the space appear even smaller. Instead of a bulky coffee table, try layering two small coffee tables to create a sleek look. Also try using furniture with dual functions, like an ottoman with a built-in tray.
9. Make the most of your walls
What you don’t have in square footage you can make up with your wall space. Take advantage of that vertical space. Elongate your walls by hanging your curtains some 3 to 5 inches above your window. Keep the curtain design basic but use extra fabric for fullness. Additionally, invest in shelving and cupboards to display and store items.
10. White isn’t always right
“Paint a room white to make it bright” - is one of those age-old design tips we always hear when tackling a small space. While it does have its merits, going snow white may have the opposite effect. Light needs a surface to reflect from so going flat white may not create this airy light effect but may instead highlight shadows, especially if natural light is limited. So instead, try going with a light cohesive palette. The key is to choose a colour that you can utilise throughout your space. You can always showcase your personality and create a bit of depth by adding a bold accent wall. By creating a smokey blue accent wall in my Master bedroom, I not only added a bit of sophistication, but it gave the room its very own personality.
