The perfect balance of space and design can make all the difference in your house. Especially when you live in compact quarters, it is important to know how to maximize space in small houses for the best outcome. Fitting as much as possible without it appearing cramped can be a difficult task, but not an impossible one. Read on to find out the top rules to follow when selecting interior designs for small spaces.
Opt for Pieces that have Dual Purposes
Furniture can be much more than it is supposed to be, like a sofa that can become a pull-out bed. Find pieces that serve dual purposes making them functional and simultaneously removing the need to add another item in the room. For example, one way to maximise bedroom space is to look for a bed that has built-in drawers or settees, which hide underneath some empty space. This lets you use the primary function of the object, while also doubling as a storage space. Nesting chairs are another good option for furniture spaces doing double duty.
Don’t Clutter the Floor
Remember when your parents would ask you to clean your room up every fortnight and you wondered why? It was not a useless exercise. It seems like our parents were wiser than we gave them credit for. This is because they knew something we clearly did not and were onto something. For instance, one of the biggest obstacles when dealing with limited areas is the floor space left over when you’re done. What is the point of having a living room that is decorated well, but feels like a maze to get through?
When designing for a small space, you can choose to hang decorations for a more open floor plan and walking space. Pick out hanging shelves, mount your TV, put up sconces as opposed to their on-floor types to save on floor space. You can hang planters by the windows instead of crowding the floor with pots.
Use the Light to your Advantage
One of the ways to maximise space in a small house is to play with the lightning. If you’re living in a studio apartment with limited space, opt to have light like wall lamps or sconces all around the house. This will give the house a sense of openness and make it appear bigger. Another way to use the lightning to your advantage is to use reflective surfaces like multiple mirrors or glossy tiles. These pieces will reflect the light around the room and work even when you don’t have a source of natural light in the house.
Use Foldable Furniture
It can be difficult to pick and choose the number of furniture pieces a room can hold when there’s limited floor space to stack them. One way to utilise the area efficiently is to pick foldable furniture. If you like to study only in the evening, you can pick a foldable desk instead of a solid, steady one. Just have the folding attached to your wall, and every evening you can pull it down. It will help in maximising space in small houses by clearing up floor space, and give you more open space to breathe.
Choose your Items Wisely
It can be tempting to put everything in a room because the more the merrier, but in case of small houses, the exact opposite is true. While designing a small space, ensure that you only choose the pieces that are of utmost importance. If your things and furniture are squished together in one room, it’s only going to make it look cramped and smaller. So don’t put all your collector items on the shelves, or stack 10 pillows on the bed in a small room. The lesser you clutter, the better it’ll look.
Buy Furniture with Exposed Leg
One way to de-clutter the floor is to buy furniture pieces which have exposed legs as popped to those with stumps beneath them. Pick pieces like chairs with exposed legs and without arms as it adds visual space to whichever room you place it in. For example, in the dining room, you can opt for stools instead of heavy chairs to give it an open look.
Pick the Right Colour Scheme
Whether it is your kitchen, your living room or your bedroom, one of the tips to excel at interior design for small spaces is through choosing the right colour scheme. Using a lighter, brighter colour scheme can reflect light and make any and all rooms seem larger. Stick to light and neutral colours as these make your room appear larger than it actually is. For a neutral colour scheme, you can opt for shades close to beige and brown, or you can also opt for light pastel shades which are also very in trend right now.
Pick the Right Artwork
When designing small spaces, especially compact living rooms, it is important to choose the correct artwork to adorn the walls. In such a case, the more the merrier actually works! Choose a large artwork that covers your wall as oversized artwork makes a space look larger than it actually is. Try to choose a frame that takes up at least two-thirds or more of a wall’s space. A brilliant oversized abstract painting set against a neutral interior can make your room look beautiful and big.
Get Creative with Storage
Nobody said storage has to be boring, bulky and in your face. Today, many places in the house can double as storage spaces without being obvious about it. Create storage spaces under the stairs using drawers and cabins. Learn to utilise your space creatively to get the best out of it. You can also add storage under your bed, in your floors and with trap doors on ceilings. When picking furniture, pick the ones with storage like storage ottomans which serve the purpose of seating, decorations and to quickly throw in the littered toys when the guests are coming.
Opt for Pocket Doors
Pocket doors have created a storm in the design world with their minimalist, space-saving design. And especially if you’re wondering how to maximise space in small houses, these doors could be your answers. These hinge free sliders slide right into their frames, and when completely slid in look like the place is actually without doors. They also add a bit of whimsy to the house. These doors can be used on cupboards, and outside rooms. Opt for transparent pocket doors with frames for a room to look bigger since the passing and reflecting light will enhance the size of the room.
In Conclusion
Maximizing the space in a small house can be difficult, and put a designer's skill to a test. But even though it’s tricky, with some tips you can design a small house to feel spacious and open. Doing things like no unnecessary purchases, keeping your surfaces like tables and kitchen counters decluttered, adding some indoor plants are just some ways you can ensure that even after the design, you maintain the house in a way which keeps it feeling open. If you are still confused about how to maximise space in a small house, get in touch with our professionals at BlueMasons. They are some of the best interior designers in Kolkata and will be happy to lend their expertise.
