In this day and age, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself dealing with small living spaces at some point – especially if you reside in a city. If you have small spaces in your home, then you understand just how tricky they can be to decorate. You want to get the most out of a room, without leaving it feeling cramped. With some creative thinking and a few trustworthy hacks, you can turn your small room into a place of both functionality and joy. Read on for our favourite small space hacks.
Light is your friend
Light is your best friend when it comes to small spaces. When used correctly, it can be an incredible way to open up a room and make it seem bigger. First up, check you’re making the most of any available natural light. Ensure windows aren’t obstructed and say goodbye to any heavy, light-blocking curtains, opting instead for curtains made of a light-weight or sheer material (be sure to choose a light colour!) – or no curtains at all.
If natural light isn’t an option, or you want to go one step further, incorporating additional lighting has a similar effect. This could be in the form of floor or table lamps, or if you don’t have the room, you can get creative with pendant or string lights. One thing to note is that evenly spread lighting is key to creating that sense of spaciousness, so make sure your lights are balanced around the room.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Mirrors are a great addition to a small space, making a room feel bigger than it actually is. By creating an illusion of depth and reflecting – you guessed it – light, they trick the eye into thinking that a space is larger. For the savvy decorator, light and mirrors can be used in tandem to create a sense of openness, even in the smallest spaces. If you do happen to have a window in your room, position your mirror on the wall opposite in order to reflect the maximum amount of light. Whether you opt for one large feature mirror, or a few smaller ones scattered around the room, you have plenty of options to play with.
Choose a light colour scheme
Alongside light and mirrors, choosing a colour scheme that’s going to help (not hinder) your cause is essential. As a rule of thumb, lighter tones will lift a small room and make it feel more open, whilst darker colours will have the opposite effect. If you can, opt for whites, creams or pastels. Keeping your colour scheme simple will also help make your room feel less busy, so resist the urge to go for lots of different hues and stick to neutral tones with one considered splash of colour.
Get storage-savvy
In a small space, making the most of storage is key. Nowadays, there are so many creative storage solutions that double as beautiful pieces of furniture. Whether it’s an ottoman, a coffee table with drawers or creative shelving, there are plenty of options to choose from depending on your needs.
Be smart about your furniture
Speaking of furniture, when decorating a small space it can be tempting to fill it with furniture which is simply too big (especially if you’ve previously lived somewhere larger). Consider swapping bigger furniture for smaller items – you can find pieces specifically designed for smaller spaces. This will also allow more light flow around the room. Where possible, look for modular, multi-purpose or folding furniture as a way to maximise functionality.
Go vertical
Vertical space is a great resource to be tapped in small rooms. Not only do walls allow for plenty of extra hanging space for things like mirrors, shelving and plants, but taking advantage of vertical space can also create the illusion of a room being bigger. Funnily enough, floor-length curtains will actually make your windows (and room) feel taller than they actually are. Similarly, one large feature artwork or mirror on the wall will also expand a room’s proportions.
Say no to clutter
The number one rule when it comes to small spaces: keep clutter to a minimum. A cluttered room will make it feel more crowded and take away from any sense of spaciousness. Clutter is also scientifically proven to induce stress in the human brain, so taking the time to get rid of clutter will not only allow you to make better use of the room, but will also ease your mind.
