De-clutter your home
Okay, so this is really basic but of paramount importance. For you to get order back in your space, you need to throw out things you don’t need. Be ruthless. Anything that you haven’t used in a while has to go. This includes old clothes, CDs, knickknacks etc. If you want and have the time and means, hold a garage sale of sorts and make a little cash for the apartment or else give them away to someone who could use it.Create an illusion of space
The main idea behind making a small space look big is to create an illusion of space by using mirrors that reflect a part of your space that you like most. Also, opt for lighter pieces of furniture – pieces with airy styles that leave plenty of room around it. You don’t need to have a lot of space to make it seem like you do. Place items like sofas and tables a few inches away from the wall. Even this simple trick will create an illusion of space and make it look bigger.
Double duty
Get furniture that can be used for multiple purposes. For instance, a footstool can be used as a coffee table, a mini storage unit or even the dresser can double as a bedside table etc. You have to learn smart ideas to take advantage of every inch you can. When your living quarters are small, the best thing you can do is make sure every item you have serves its purpose and then does more.
Think vertical
Even if you don’t have much space horizontally, you can also use the height of the space to your advantage. Keep a stack of boxes in a corner and you can use this to store away items that you don’t need on a daily basis. Label the boxes so that you don’t have to go around digging when you are searching for something. Simple items like floating shelves or pegboard racks can be installed at various places throughout the house to keep things from taking up the limited floor or counter space.
Section off space
Sectioning off areas will give your living space a sense of purpose and in that way, you’ll be less likely to hoard things. If you have a single room that function as a living and dining area, create a barrier to designate separate spaces for each. Just make sure you don’t entirely section off areas with heavy-duty things but with plenty of see through fixtures instead. You can install open shelves between the two areas or just use sheer curtains. If yours is a one-bedroom apartment, think of removing the connecting door to open up the space.
Develop a system
A small space is harder to maintain than a larger place. Because of the limited space available, even little things tend to add up and make your place feel cramped over time. The best solution to this is to tidy up every other day and make sure things go in their designated places. Have a ritual: Allot 15 minutes before bed to tidy up and dust a little or do it as you brew your morning tea. Get proactive, and keep your small space clean to keep dirt from building up and getting in your face (quite literally!).
Light it up
Small is one thing, but small and dark is quite another. Almost nothing has the power to transform a room like good lighting. Work with the natural light available to you by keeping furniture low and out of the light’s path, using window treatments which let in as much light as possible, and by using reflective surfaces like mirrors to increase the light’s throw. In terms of artificial light, make sure you have sufficient light at all possible places. Once it’s properly lit, even a small room can feel spacious.
Be clever with storage
One thing people living in small spaces never seem to have is enough storage. There are just so many things that need to be stashed away – blankets, cutlery, documents et al. A clever trick is to use the space under your bed for items that you don’t need on a regular basis. Be careful with this though: This area tends to gather a lot of dust over time. Store items like heavy blankets that you won’t be using anytime soon in trunks and stow them away from sight. Another idea could be to use the space above your closet. The same under the bed trick works here as well. You could paint inexpensive trunks in vibrant colors and stack them in an unused corner too.
Play with colors
Dark colors close a room making it look and feel smaller, hence it works best for large rooms. Lighter colors, on the other hand, open up a space and make it appear larger than it is. Choose pastel colors for your walls, if you have the option of repainting, otherwise choose light colored bed sheets, carpets, curtains, and cushion covers. It helps if the doors (frames included) and furniture are also light colored. White works best for doors and beige for furniture.
Don’t compromise on style
You might have limited space but that shouldn’t restrict your décor sensibilities. If there is a piece of furniture that you like but don’t think it will work in your house, go ahead and get it, and then find a way to work around it. Décor is also about who you are and what statement you are trying to make, so if there is something you love you must find a way to incorporate it in your life and home. Everything can and will work, if you put in a little thought and creativity.
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