Wednesday, 22 January, 2020 / Published in Design & Décor

Easy Ways to Maximise Space in a Small Home or Apartment

Feeling a little cramped? Whether you live in an apartment or are planning to renovate a home with limited space, these tips can help you make the most of small areas.

Go For White Paint

One of the easiest tips to brighten up any space and make it feel larger is adding a coat of white paint. Dark colours can make rooms feel enclosed and gloomy. Alternatively, white paint instantly lights up a room and creates a visual illusion of increased volume to any space, no matter how small.

In addition to affecting the perception of a space, a mostly white colour palette tends to make rooms appear less cluttered and more open. It also helps create a comfortable ambiance that is the perfect mix of uplifting and relaxing.

If you worry that a predominantly white space will come across as ‘boring’ or ‘dull’, try adding a bold accent, intricate pattern, unique decorative pieces, or other interesting details to add personality. The white background will serve as an ideal backdrop for just about any decor idea you have in mind.

Just as white walls can help maximise space, the same goes for flooring. If you really want to take the white trend all the way, consider lighter flooring tones to complement your white paint.

Don’t Go Overboard on Accents and Patterns

While the right accent, bold rug, or unique decoration can play perfectly against a white backdrop, too many complicated patterns or colours can overwhelm a small space.

Stick to carefully chosen, limited accents such as bold trim, a patterned rug, or a cheerful piece of art. These details will add personality without overtaking a room and making it seem cluttered and smaller.

Coloured accents such as a piece of furniture or rug can maximise a small space.

Keep Only the Essentials

Just as having too many details and accents can overwhelm a space, the same goes for having too much stuff. Keeping just the things you actually need can go a long way in making the most of a limited space. As a bonus, your home will feel cleaner and more organised. It’s a win-win!

Consider Furnishings Wisely

Small space equals small furniture, right? Not necessarily. When it comes time to selecting furniture, a few larger pieces can actually make a better impact than many tiny pieces.

Instead of creating a spacious feel, too many small pieces of furniture can make a room look cramped. Also, a larger piece of furniture positioned against white space gives the illusion of a room with more depth.

Utilise Corners and Hidden Spaces

Have an empty corner? Put it to use! Tables, corner shelves, and other vertical storage solutions can be a great way to make the most of a room.

Creative, multi-purpose furniture pieces — think storage ottomans, cubes and mirrored shelves — can be an especially great option since they can be easily brought out when needed, disguised, or tucked away if not being used.

Storage cubes are a great way to declutter a kids or living room.

Prioritise Natural Light

More light equates to a space that feels larger. Glass doors and large windows are ideal for allowing ample natural light into a home, but other steps can maximise lighting as well.

Select window treatments that do not block out light and use mirrors as part of your decor as these will reflect light and bounce it around the room.

Consider Skylights and Glass Ceilings

Staying in line with the importance of natural light brings us to our next tip: skylights and glass ceilings. Windows installed in the ceiling stream in natural light and bring about a cosy comfort. Bonus: stargazing in bed!

Make Rooms Multi-Purpose

One of the smartest ways to maximise your space is utilising multi-purpose rooms. For instance, your living room can also serve as a guest room by using a futon or convertible sofa bed rather than a traditional couch. Guest rooms could also double as a home office.

Add Lofted Areas

Lofts reign supreme when it comes to maximising space. If you have high ceilings and are up for some renovating, consider adding a loft to serve as an extra bedroom, playroom, reading space, or storage space.

Go With Uniform Flooring

Using the same flooring throughout the entire space can create a unifying flow throughout your home or apartment and create the illusion of an enlarger area.

Paint Mouldings and Trim White

White trim goes beautifully with just about any colour palette and design trend. Its bright, neutral nature helps unify rooms and can make them seem larger. To take this a step further, consider painting interior doors white as well.

An exception? If your space already has lovely natural woodwork, you may want to think twice before covering up its unique, timeless appeal.

Hang Curtains Near the Ceiling

This trick is popular among decorators and designers. Hanging curtains near the ceiling draws the eye upwards, creating an optical illusion that makes a room seem taller than it is. It also allows more natural light to stream through the windows into the room.

Go With Open Floor Plans

Interior walls break up spaces and can make a home feel cramped whereas open floor plans unify and maximise space. In addition to feeling spacious and brighter, open floor plans are often more functional.

This is particularly true for dining rooms. If a kitchen and dining room are separated by a common wall, consider removing the wall, if possible, to open up the space. The same applies to living rooms. Ideally, a living room will connect to a dining room with no solid walls in between or will connect to both the dining room and kitchen.