Homes come in different sizes, and no matter how big they are, interior planning always plays a crucial role in determining how spacious they look. Home owners that have small houses may well grumble about a lack of space, but by adopting some simple tips and tricks they can reduce over-crowdedness and maximize the space they have. Visual space depends on a number of factors. Your home's design, your choice of furniture, the way the rooms were planned, and the colors you choose for decoration all have a role to play. So, if you are planning to refurbish any tiny rooms in your house, or you feel like you have limited living space in general, be sure to take notice of these following golden tips. |
1. Paint or Wallpaper the Ceiling to Make the Room Look Taller |
Anything that makes you look upwards will make the space look bigger than it really is. You can pick an eye-catching, patterned wallpaper or choose an interesting color for the ceiling in order to shift an onlooker's attention to higher, less occupied spaces. Plus these touches will give the room that extra personalized touch! |
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2. Use Light Colors For Walls and Floor |
Choosing pale colors for your walls and floor is a smart idea if you want make a room feel more spacious. Pale colors reflect light, giving the illusion of extra space. Choose colors such as whites, creams and pastels to make the room seem airier, brighter and less busy. |
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3. Pull Furniture Away from the Wall to Create the Illusion of Space |
It's a mistake to think that the closer you put the furniture to the wall, the more spacious your room will appear. In reality, leaving a gap of few inches between your furniture and the wall creates a visual illusion that tricks the eye into thinking that the room is less cramped. |
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4. Use Multi-Purpose Furniture with Hidden Storage |
When choosing your furniture, it would be a good idea to look for what is best for both function and storage. Comfortable seating, for instance, can easily double up as a storage point while also serving its purposes if you pick the right piece. Multi-purpose furniture is a very smart option for homes which lack space. |
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5. Create Storage Near the Ceiling to Draw Eye Upward |
Rather than hanging shelves at eye-level, hang them further upwards and even right under the ceiling. Apart from providing more discreet storage, you can also make use of your walls better by using them for flatter objects, giving a room a neater appearance and reducing obstruction to light. Such storage will again divert the eye's attention in an upwards direction, which is also a plus in small rooms. |
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6. Use Bigger but Fewer Furnishings |
A lot of furniture makes the room seem fussy and cramped. Instead of having multiple couches in your living room, invest in one big sofa. It will make the room seem grander, tidier, and less cluttered. With that said, don't be afraid to fill your room and use up your space - furniture can make your room look bigger if chosen well. |
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7. Using Stripes Can Elongate the Space |
Stripes can give the impression that something is longer than it actually is, just as they do when they're used in fashion. You may use stripes on, for instance, carpets or wallpaper in such a way that they run along the length of the room to make it appear elongated. They can also add a modern and stylish touch to your room, so give them some thought when designing your room. |
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8. Use a Clear Shower Curtain in a Tiny Bathroom |
The bathroom is not usually the biggest room in the house, but it's still great to try and make it look as big as possible. If you have a very small bathroom, don't make it look even smaller by using a shower curtain of a contrasting color. Using a shower curtain that is as inconspicuous as possible is a good idea, it will make the room look less fussy. Transparent shower curtains are highly recommended for the best impact. |
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9. Leave Windows Uncovered |
Curtains have a pleasant effect on a room, but when a room is very small, it is sometimes best to leave a window uncovered. By doing so, you allow more light to enter inside, giving the space more depth. As a less bulky alternative to curtains, you can try using roman shades or blinds. |
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10. Use Dramatic Art Pieces to Make a Room Feel More Expansive |
Further to the advice we gave you for choosing furniture, it's better to have one large piece of art rather than having several ones hung on the same wall. The latter might make the room look smaller, so opt for larger ones to create an illusion of wider space. |
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11. Buy Glass or Lucite Items |
Reduce the effect of having too many furnishings in one room by picking the right furniture. Glass or Lucite furniture can be very useful in this regard - they don't obstruct much light and are less likely to dominate the eye's view. |
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12. Ditch the Overhead Lights |
Instead of investing in plenty of overhead lighting, make sure your small room has enough interesting lighting on tables and shelves. Since overhead lighting has a top-down direction, it tends to pool all the light in one space, as opposed to other lighting. |
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13. Use Rugs to Separate a Room into Several Spaces |
Rugs are a great way to separate sections of the room from each other, especially if you live in a studio apartment or open plan space. Place rugs in the different sections and see how your room transforms into a much more organized one. If you find the right rugs they can also add a dash of style. |
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14. Use Different Shades of the Same Color |
Contrasting colors in a room make it look significantly busier, and hence, smaller. Instead of being too colorful, design your room using different shades of the same color. This will make the space look more open and less fussy. |
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15. Pick the Right Furniture |
Make sure you select the right furniture for any small room. Choose furniture with exposed legs if you are particularly low on space. Sofas, bedside tables and beds would all look better with legs than without in a small room. Exposing the floor creates an appearance of extra space. |
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16. Strategically Place Mirrors to Create a Spacious Feel |
We all know how effective mirrors can be in tiny places. Once you place a mirror in a small room, it will immediately look bigger and brighter. You can also place a mirror in front of a window to maximize the amount of light flowing inside the room. Alternatively, place one behind a table or chest to make it seem as though the furniture piece goes on and on. |
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17. Customize Your Furniture to Spare Some Physical Space |
In order to make some room for physical space, make sure you find furniture that is tailored for you and your limited living spaces. You can also get creative by customizing your furniture to give it multiple purposes, such as creating a desk out of a wall unit. |
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