The tiny home craze is in full swing! Charming residences are so fascinating to see, especially how homeowners cleverly maximize small spaces and make the most of every square inch. Ask yourself – do the small spaces in your home feel warm and inviting or cramped and unwelcoming? If it is the latter, building an additional room is not always necessary. You simply need to figure out how to make the most of your available space.
No matter how much space you have, whether you have 300 or 3000 square feet, you probably still have room for improvement. Here are some suggestions on how to create the illusion of space in a room to transform your compact rooms into functional spaces. You may feel as though you are truly living large thanks to a handful of small house design ideas and organization tips.
1. Zone the Room
Layout the space first to achieve a balanced space at home for your home. Several rooms in a tiny house serve many purposes; wherein you might eat and unwind in the same big room. To create different zones within a bigger space, use area rugs. The rug’s margins will serve as a visual indication to indicate the boundary between one region to another.
In other ways, you can zone the areas for a distinct function, such as for sleeping, working, or relaxing. For instance, you can place the sofa in the brightest location, put the bed in the darkest corner, and have a desk beneath the bookshelves. Zoning aids in bringing focus to a tiny area and making it work better for you.
2. Choose Your Furniture Wisely
Carefully select the furniture pieces and choose lightweight rather than heavy and bulky designs. The secret to a successful small-space design is determining the appropriate scale or the apparent size of items in relation to one another.
A variety of small to medium-sized furniture should be used instead of large items, which can take up a lot of floor area in a tiny room. Keep in mind that size is relative, so a sofa that appears to be too small in the showroom may be the perfect fit for your tiny living room. Plus, always measure before purchasing furniture!
3. Keep the Floor Clear
Being able to see the floor beneath a piece of furniture will create the illusion of space in a room since it will prevent the base from appearing to be closing off the room. This calls for simple sofas raised off the floor on narrow legs, coffee tables with thin tops, and chairs with slim and fluid silhouettes. An example would be desks and shelving units that lean against walls and only require two legs on the floor are excellent for saving floor space.
Your living area will appear larger, lighter, and airier if you furnish it with exposed legs and armless chairs. On the other hand, skirted furniture is the way to go if you need additional hidden storage. This is both decorative and functional, as you can conceal storage underneath.
4. Pick Multifunctional Furnishings
In a compact space, choosing furniture with several uses is always a smart move. Think about having a side chair instead of placing an end table next to your sofa. In this way, it can serve as additional seating when you have visitors. Use a bench with concealed storage in place of a coffee table, which you can use as a table, seating, and storage all combined into one.
You can also make the most of your space by choosing furniture that has storage. Get a bed frame with built-in drawers or a headboard with a built-in bookcase. Meanwhile, opt for benches or ottomans that have a space to hide away your extra blankets or sweaters. Take into account furniture that can be converted, like a daybed in a compact room can double as a sofa and a guest bed. These are great ways to add storage without sacrificing design in your homes.
5. Be Practical with Paint
Painting the ceiling and all the walls the same color will enlarge tiny spaces, wherein it becomes difficult for the eye to distinguish where the walls end and the ceiling starts. Likewise, this also applies to painting the skirting boards, radiators, and window frames with the same color. This will create a seamless finish to blend the surroundings into the background.
In terms of paint color options, stick to a limited color palette, whether it is light and airy or dark and dramatic. Take note that brighter colors will accentuate the brightness, space, and openness of a room. On the contrary, dark colors can absorb light and make a space feel smaller, which is not ideal for living rooms or bedrooms that face south. A softer, warmer grey or very light beige is preferable with a north-facing window since white can appear cold and stark in the dim light.
6. Let There Be Light
Narrow or non-existent windows can result in tiny places feeling dark and cramped. Increase the number of light sources in every room, from the kitchen to the bedroom, to make up for the absence of natural light. Depending on the height of your ceiling, pair eye-catching ceiling lighting with sconces or table lamps to create a warm and inviting ambiance.
In particular, sconces are a type of light you can install on a wall surface. To create an illusion of space in a room, use wall sconces on either side of the bed. Instead of taking up floor or nightstand space like standard lights would, this adds useful lighting.
Read Also: 12 Lighting tips for homes with low ceiling
7. Utilize Open Wall Space
A home’s walls are its greatest untapped resource. They should be used for much more than just hanging photos, especially in a tiny space. Here are a few ideas you can try in your real estate investment:
- Install individual shelves or use tall bookshelves that reach the ceiling.
- Mount your television above the fireplace or on the wall.
- Try a hanging wall planter to have plants without taking up table or floor space for pots.
- Hang extra furniture pieces, such as foldable tables and chairs.
- Place hooks on the wall where you can place your bike.
- Use floating shelves in your kitchen for storing pots, pans, and appliances.
- Hang coffee mugs and silverware on a pegboard or a rack with hooks.
8. Befriend Mirrors
Apart from adding more lighting fixtures, having mirrors is a great way to bring natural light into your home by reflecting light. It can deceive the eye into believing that there is still a space beyond and create an illusion of space in a room by adding a few more square feet.
Place it strategically to mirror the greatest views in your room, like artwork on the wall opposite the kitchen or hallway. Other ideas include lining a wall with a large mirror or creating a gallery wall with various sizes and shapes.
9. Use Doors, Doorways, and Awkward Spaces
Don’t forget to look up if you are confined by the space. Make use of the inches between the top of the doorway and the ceiling. It often has the perfect size for a shelf that can hold books, small storage baskets, and other trinkets. You can hang hooks on the backs of all your doors for easy hanging anytime. Extra space can also be found inside cabinet doors. Meanwhile, home improvement projects can add value to your Bria Homes, such as do-it-yourself (DIY) custom shelves that can fit into odd nooks and crannies.
Written by Gianne D. Inumerable
