There are a lot of benefits behind smaller homes. They’re often cheaper to run, easier to clean, cheaper to decorate and provide the perfect amount of space. We’re moving to a bungalow soon, a smaller home in some ways compared to our current three-story Victorian terrace and already can see the benefits, not least the reduction in heating bills. Sometimes, however, a small home can look a bit too cramped and overcrowded if not decorated in the right way. Here are some interior design tips on ways you can maximise space to really get the most out of your small home.
Stay Neutral
Neutral and minimal colour schemes work best when you need to make a smaller space appear large. Rooms with walls painted white, for instance, will create a brighter and more open appearance in a small room compared to darker shades or bold, patterned wallpaper. If you can’t help insert a bit more colour into the space, consider creating a feature wall with a hue like a light blush pink, which looks beautiful in rooms with a lot of natural light.
Wooden floors are also useful for making a room feel more spacious, especially those in lighter shades of wood like oak. Rw-invest.com is a property company that often offer smaller studio apartments, in which they use wooden floors and neutral walls for a stylish feel. Another big trend right now is painted floors, so if you feel your wooden floors could do with an update, consider painting them in a white shade to really open up the area.
Make Use of Wall Space
Rather than taking up precious floor space around your home, think of ways you can use your wall space for storage and decoration. This could mean putting up floating shelves to display ornaments or plants, or installing floating storage cabinets where you can keep bits and bobs out of sight. Hanging artwork on your walls can work wonders in a smaller space. Think about stacking artwork vertically which can lengthen the appearance of the wall, or make a statement with large and eye-catching prints or canvases. Historically this is something I’ve been rubbish at doing but I will be following my own advice in the new house.
Use Mirrors in Your Small Home
Mirrors can be effective in creating the illusion of space in a smaller home. Be selective in how and where you use mirrors. For instance, try hanging a large mirror behind a piece of furniture like a sofa, placing a mirror behind a lamp to maximise the lighting effect, or hanging a mirror next to or across from a window to mimic the appearance of an extra window. Everywhere I look, from interior design shows to Pinterest, I get the same advice about mirrors so must start taking notice myself.
Pick Furniture Wisely
You might automatically think that because your home is small, your furniture should be too. While this can be true in some cases, filling rooms with multiple small pieces of furniture can actually draw attention to the small size of the property. Instead of lots of small pieces, use a limited amount of full-sized furniture that will fill the space without making it appear too busy. When choosing items like a coffee table or dining table, consider translucent glass styles that will open up the space. You should also be mindful of furniture that doubles up as a storage solution, such as beds with built-in storage to keep clutter hidden away.
While the bungalow we are moving to is far from tiny some of these ideas could make all the difference to the feel of the rooms. Have you used any of these interior design tricks and tips?
