Decorating a small home - or room - can be challenging. However, avoiding the following mistakes will help you to turn your small space into a home that is a pleasure to live in.
WATCH : Modern luxury living room design ideas.
Colour
Dark colours like black, red and navy will make a room feel smaller. Instead, use light, bright colours to allow as much natural light as possible into the space to make it seem bigger.
For even more light, add some floor lamps, table lamps, wall sconces, overhead lights and other affordable lighting fixtures to brighten your space.
Strong patterns on walls or furnishings can also overwhelm a small space, so it’s best to avoid them altogether. Instead, add depth with layered textures.
Furniture
Designers agree that furniture must fit the scale of the space, so oversized furniture is usually out of place in a small room. A large couch, for instance, will overwhelm a small living room, making it feel cramped. On the other hand, lots of tiny occasional tables will make the space look cluttered, whereas one medium-sized coffee table with clean lines will create the right atmosphere.
Furniture should also be able to adapt to your lifestyle as needed, and multi-functional pieces are ideal for small spaces. These include:
- An ottoman with hidden - but easily accessible - storage space.
- A drop-leaf dining table that can be folded down to become a console table against a wall.
- A stylish bar cart which can do duty as a portable island for storing cooking utensils in addition to a drinks cabinet.
Storage
Storage space is important in small spaces because you need to hide as many things as possible to avoid a cluttered look.
Open storage is not a good option for small spaces - the real clutter should be hidden in closed cabinets or bookcases. However, open storage could be a decorative feature if it is kept tidy.
Making the most of walls, counters, and ceilings is essential in small spaces. Easy storage options that will make a big impact include:
- A wall-mounted coat rack in the entrance hall.
- A fruit basket suspended from the kitchen ceiling.
- Floating shelves on walls.
Accessories
Too many accessories – or any other items - will look chaotic in a small space, so it’s best to avoid having more than one or two accent pieces. For example, a large wall mirror is preferable to several smaller items dotted around the living room.
The key to maximising small space décor is to prevent clutter, so you should avoid excessively accumulating items like plants, pillows, accessories and other décor items.
Writer : Sarah-Jane Meyer
