Great design comes in all shapes and sizes, although designing small spaces might require more planning. When you are designing your small space, remember to be flexible and open to ideas and solutions. Organisation and simplicity are the keys to successfully designing a small space.
Whether you are working with a small room or a large room, the first thing you need is a plan. You or your interior designer can draw a floor plan placing furniture where it will work best to maximise the space. Your plan can include furniture, area rug, built-in storage, free-standing storage, and even lamp, art, and accessory placement. This plan will also help you budget your money for the space.
Floor space might be hard to come by in a small room. Going up, not out, with your storage can maximise floor space for better function and ease of movement throughout the space. Contain the clutter in baskets, totes, cabinets, etc, and your small space will function at its best.
Keep it simple when using knickknacks and accessories in a small room. Clutter can be very distracting and make a space seem even smaller. Functional accessories are the best way to go in a small space. For example, an antique wooden box can hold books, magazines, etc. Baskets can be placed on shelves or under tables to declutter.
Everyone has heard that a small room needs to be painted a light colour or white. However this is not necessarily the case. Colour can really make a room feel warm and welcoming if you have the right lighting. As with furniture and accessories, don't go crazy with lots of different colours. One colour for the walls will give the illusion of a larger space. Remember to keep it simple. When you are planning the room, choose a couple of colours that you want to use, whether it is the walls, sofa and chairs, or art and accessories. Try to stick with those colours.
Lighting can make or break a room, big or small. Any interior designer will tell you to use lamps as opposed to overhead lights. Overhead lights are OK but not alone, especially in a small space. Using lamps around the perimeter of a room will illuminate the walls, which makes the room look bigger.
Designing a small space is not much different from designing a large space. Just remember to keep it simple. Whether you are designing a big or small room, beginning with a plan is the way to go.
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