5 Interior Design Hacks for Small Spaces
The growing popularity of more compact living quarters, due in part to both rising housing costs and densification, has many people searching for interior design hacks for small living spaces.
1. Avoid visual line breaks
Whether you decide to opt for a bright and airy room with whites or neutrals, or go big with a bold colour palette, avoid visual line breaks on the interior walls of the space. A visual line break is any separation or disruption to the design elements of the room. It is important to avoid these line breaks in smaller spaces because it can make a room feel confined or cluttered.
To do this, try painting the trim, walls and doors in the same colour, and if using an area rug, choose a colour that is similar to the colour of the flooring. 4aras3
2. Utilize vertical space
When designing a room or home with minimal square footage, a simple way to expand the area is to utilize vertical space.
In the kitchen, a few great uses of vertical space could be:
· Adding shelving to bare walls or underneath cabinets
· Installing a magnetic strip to the backsplash for knives and spices
· Hanging pots and pans above a kitchen island or on the wall
In a living room or bedroom, use open shelving to display books and trinkets. You can also utilize the space on your walls to bring the outside in with house plants.
Lastly, hanging a wall mirror can create the illusion of an open, spacious room. Choose a mirror with a smaller frame (remember, the less visual line breaks on the walls, the better) and ideally place it opposite of an outside window to reflect natural light.
3. Choose furniture wisely
The size of the furniture is most important. Be mindful to leave enough space around each piece so that they don’t touch each other or the walls – another hack to make a room feel larger than it is.
Opting for low profile furniture will contribute to a sense of openness in the room. Furniture that is closer to the ground can give a room an airer feel.
4. Be smart about lighting
Create a focal point in a room with a pendant light or semi-flush fixture. There are many options available to suit your style, from simple and modern to industrial or even vintage.
Add dimmer switches to your lights to easily adjust the mood without the use of multiple light fixtures.
5. Implement storage solutions
In a compact living environment, creating storage solutions is essential to maximize space and create order in your home.
Here are a few other space-saving storage solutions for your kitchen, bedroom, living room and other areas of your home:
Add hooks, shelving and drawers to the inside of existing cabinets
Explore multi-functional pieces when selecting furniture, like sofas or bed frames with drawers underneath, benches with hidden storage, or wall-mounted desks or tables that fold down when not in use
Select stylish storage containers and bins that match the aesthetic of your home to be placed on shelves or under coffee tables
By applying these strategies, you’ll be able to transform compact living environments into inviting and personalized spaces that meet your unique needs and style.
