Decorating Small Spaces

More and more of us are moving to cities and of course there is less and less space for us to inhabit. Apartments and houses get split into small properties – whilst newly built housing provides smaller homes than ever before. This is all happening in an era when we are constantly encouraged to shop, shop, shop… So where do put all our junk, gadgets and must-have items???? Decorating small spaces is a challenge and can cause quite a headache. However if you follow some of these basic rules, you should be OK.

Color in small spaces

Always use white, or light /natural, colors on your walls. Dark colors make a room look smaller. I know this may seem bland – but deep colors should only be used as “accent colors” – i.e on decoration details such as cushions, blankets, ornaments… Paint the walls with satin, soft-sheen or eggshell paint – not with ordinary matt emulsion. Slightly shiny surfaces reflect the light – making the room look bigger. Don’t use dark or deep colors on the floor either – try to be natural or light.

Space

If your rooms are too small, think about opening them up by removing the walls (if they’re not structural) between them or rearranging their function. One-space living is getting more and more popular. Wardrobes, built-in shelving systems, sliding doors can be used instead of walls to divide or screen spaces. If you can’t remove any walls – try to rearrange their function according to your needs. For example if you have a small kitchen and separate dining room – why don’t you swap them or, if the size allows, create a kitchen/diner in the dining room. Your old kitchen can be used as a shower room, a utility room or small office.

Clutter

Small spaces don’t take clutter well. Have only essential furniture – chuck out what you don’t need. Avoid open shelves, ornaments and collections. Choose a few favourite objects and display them carefully. Put books and files into a cabinet – they look too busy on shelves. In small kitchens only have your daily-used gadgets on display – put the rest away.

Storage

Utilise any unused areas as storage – under the staircase, under the bed, under the kitchen units, behind the bath panel. For coffee-tables and bedside tables use trunks or boxes. Make a long wall stream-lined with built-in wardrobes – floor to ceiling… or as tall as possible. These can be used for clothes, books or general junk… and can even hide a pull-out home-office. In your kitchen, have roll-up units and tall wall-units. Leave out one or two lower units and you have a breakfast table… and space for a bin underneath. Use sliding and folding doors wherever possible to save space.

Furnishing

Avoid patterns. If you love patterns use them on cushions or blankets. Do not cover a wall with patterned wallpaper – it might be trendy now, but it will shrink the size of your room!!! Paint (or cover with fabric) horizontal artist’s canvases and hang them on a “feature wall” – when you get bored with it, just repaint or recover! Invest in a slim LCD or plasma TV – but don’t let it dominate your room, buy one that is appropriate to its size!