How To Maximize Your Space When Downsizing

Kat Tiessen, Designer

Kat & Co. Interiors www.katcointeriors.com

by Kat Tiessen

Have you recently moved into a smaller home or are you considering downsizing? Maximizing your space may feel daunting and challenging but here are some great tips on how you can live large in a smaller home.

There are three major considerations to take into account when designing your new space: function, storage and illusion.

FUNCTION

How will each of your rooms and furnishings function for you? It may be that the dining room must now serve a dual purpose: serving meals and functioning as a home office. It’s important to not only choose furnishings that fit and look beautiful but that offer you options in terms of multitasking and functionality. For example, need to host Christmas dinner but are short on space? This console table is perfect because it does double duty. It is a beautiful antique-inspired console table and with the flip of the top, it turns into a dining table capable of seating six people.

Burnette Console Table, Gabby

STORAGE

Storage space is always a concern when downsizing. Rethink all of your pieces. Drawers and doors are your friends when looking to increase storage options. Open storage may look beautiful but it is not very functional when space is at a premium. Want to increase storage in your bedrooms? Look for beds with a storage system.

Adam bed, Julien Beaudoin

Entertainment consoles can be a great place to stash belongings. Instead of using a side table with just a top and legs, use one with drawers. This could also be used as a bedside table.

Entertainment console, Hooker Furniture

ILLUSION

Work your magic with the illusion of space. Part of making a room appear larger is to trick the eye. Keeping it ‘light, bright and airy’ always gives the illusion of more space. Consider light colours, fabrics and finishes when decorating your new smaller space. Glass coffee tables and side tables keep an airy open feeling within your room. Find lighting that offers beauty and openness while still keeping traditional form. Mirrors bounce light and energy around a room, expanding a space.

Lucas Square Coffee Table

Thayer Collection 3-Light Chandelier, Feiss Coco Mirror, Made Goods

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