Tips for maximising space usage

Tips for maximising space usage

When styling small spaces, the question to ask at the outset is if you want the room to look more open or if you want to embrace the tiny space. Once you decide how to present your space, you can begin. For example, styling the space to look more open can help avoid that feeling of claustrophobia and is a fun way to experiment with the area.

Here are five tips for styling small spaces and making them look bigger:

Décor Elements

When decorating windows, hang the curtains from the ceiling. Even if they are short windows, it will help make the room look taller. When picking furniture, opt for pieces with legs rather than ones that sit directly on the floor. So sofas, armchairs, and coffee tables with legs make the pieces look like they are levitating, adding a sense of lightness to the room.

Integrating furniture pieces with legs rather than ones that sit directly on the floor, will add a sense of lightness to the room. Blue sofa in the living room

Walls and Lights

A well-lit room will immediately look more spacious. If the space has natural lighting, embrace it and let in as much light as possible. If not, false ceilings are one way to host lights. Another way is to mount the lights onto walls. For the walls, there is the option of using wallpaper with patterns or textures to open up the space. Some good choices would be single colour patterns or neutral colours – nothing that makes too much of a statement.

If the space has natural lighting, embrace it and let in as much light as possible. 
If the space has natural lighting, embrace it and let in as much light as possible

Mirrors


Mirrors are another practical element when working with small spaces. They keep the room light while also adding to the illusion that the area is more significant than it is. Picking larger size mirrors and full-length taller mirrors are good options here.

The addition of mirrors will keep the room light while also adding to the illusion that the area is more significant than it is. The addition of mirrors will keep the room light while also adding to the illusion that the area is more significant than it is

Colours

Playing around with colours is an easy way to make spaces look more open. Lighter colour palettes can help open up spaces, along with pastel and cool tones. Using a bold colour choice on the walls also won’t hurt and is a fun way to try out different styles. But remember to try and keep your walls and ceilings the same shade of paint to create the illusion of a seamless flowing space. Another tip to keep the space seamless is to use the same flooring – essentially nothing that disrupts the flow or creates too much of a statement.

Using a bold colour choice on the walls is a fun way to try out different styles. Ensure that you keep your walls and ceilings the same shade of paint to create the illusion of a seamless flowing space. Blue bookshelf in the study room

Materials

When picking materials, try to opt for glossy finishes. Walls with a glossy finish can work in a manner similar to mirrors, where they reflect and open up the space, rather than matt finishes that tend to feel more packed. Glass is an excellent material to keep in mind when choosing décor – it keeps the space light and doesn’t feel like there’s too much going on.

Walls with a glossy finish can work in a manner similar to mirrors, where they reflect and open up the space. 
Walls with a glossy finish reflect and open up the spaceOverall, remember to keep the space as free and open as possible. Avoid cluttering the area with too many elements or details; instead, keep it as minimal as possible. Allow the space to flow seamlessly, with lots of lighting, and you’ll see how easy it is to transform your small space into one that looks bigger.
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