With rising real estate prices, homes are getting smaller and smaller, making us find ways to optimize small interiors. Studio apartments and compact homes are common, especially in urban areas. Not only do we have to fit all our necessities in these tiny homes but we want them to look beautiful as well! Thankfully, the potential for compact homes is limitless. With a little bit of ingenuity, you can create the home of your dreams even with your limited square foot.
Double Duty
When you have limited space, make sure that all your furniture pieces are extremely functional, or better yet, serve more than one function. In a small guestroom, for instance, you don’t need to buy a bedside table. Simply place an old chair next to your bed to place your essentials. Instead of getting a bedside table that would eat up your surface area, install wall sconces.
Dining tables that can also function as work tables, sofa which can be converted into a bed for guests, stools that work as side tables and extra seating… Remember, multifunctional pieces are the way to go in small homes.
Pocket Doors
Wherever possible, choose pocket doors that slide right into the wall, and thus don’t take up the space that swinging doors would. Opt for glass windows on these doors for added light in a room, while also creating separation. You can go for a completely translucent or semi-translucent glass depending on how much privacy you want.
Round Table
Instead of a long bulky dining table, find a sleek round table that is just right for an intimate family meal. The round shape takes up less space and is easier to walk around.
Skip the Entertainment Unit
If you have a tiny living room, instead of placing your television on a bulky entertainment unit, save space by mounting it on the wall. If you have accessories that you need right by the TV, you could mount a small shelf on the wall as well. Alternatively, place a small, functional work desk under the TV instead of an entertainment unit, so that you can use it for work as well.
Colour Palette
We all know that white makes space look larger than it is, but did you know that neutral tones also have a similar effect? Adding textures in neutral tones will keep the space from looking flat.
Customised Storage
When trying to maximise storage in a compact home, customization helps. It will allow you to take advantage of every available square inch. Every nook counts. So don’t waste the space under the bed – custom makes a bed with storage. You can also make use of the vertical space by creating storage on the walls, etc. Often, the space between the tops of furniture and a room’s ceiling is underutilized. Make use of this space by hanging elements or converting them to storage. Utilizing this space by putting bookcases, cabinets, hanging plants or even curtains from the ceiling can make your room feel higher.
Create Zones
You might be apprehensive to invite guests home if you live in a tiny studio apartment. Since your whole home is essentially one room, you have to create zones to break it up for different functions. Otherwise, you will feel like guests are hanging out in your bedroom. The sleep zone can be cordoned off with a shelf, curtain, glass or any other partition. These don’t have to completely block the view into each section, but they will give a visual division.
Let’s See Those Legs
One hot tip that HomeLane’s experts would like everyone to know is the importance of legs on furniture! Sure you can pick out comfy sofas, but make sure that they have slim legs like in the image below. Your room will look roomier if you can see the floor below your furniture.
Glass Tables
If you have a particularly small living area or dining area, tables that are glass-topped will give the illusion of airiness as you can see the floor through them.
Sink Sans Storage
Remember that we said that seeing the legs of furniture makes space looks roomier? The same theory applies to the bathroom. If you have a small bathroom, don’t go for a vanity with lots of drawers and cupboards. Instead, go for a simple one with very little or no storage underneath for an airy look.
Brighten it up
Good lighting is crucial to make a small space look larger. To bring in more natural light, swap out solid doors for glass ones, enlarge windows and tear down unnecessary walls (which will also connect rooms).
Small Rooms with Big Impact
If a room is particularly small, you may forgo adding decor. But don’t ignore these. Pick out a few large-scale pieces instead of lots of smaller pieces to make it feel grander.
Here’s one last tip from HomeLane’s experts before you begin your journey of curating your small home: Resist the urge to push up all your furniture against the wall. Leaving some space around large pieces will, again, make your room look more spacious. Experience and expertise matters! If you think you could use some help to do up your home, no matter how small or big, do get in touch with our team.
