Image: Clair Strong Interior Design
We all want as much space as possible, but sometimes you just have to accept what you’ve been given. Whether the whole house or just one room, small spaces can pose a challenge. You want them to look good and have purpose – but how do you achieve that without the square metres?
There are benefits to small spaces. They force you to get rid of any unnecessary clutter, decorate with intention and think outside the box. Plus they’re always really cosy.
To help you get your head around decorating petite rooms I’ve put together this quick guide. It’s a list of the things you need – and the things you definitely don’t – to make the most of your space.
KEEP
Mirrors
Sometimes all you need to make a small space feel bigger is a clever optical illusion. Mirrors are the ultimate magic trick. They make a room feel more open and bounce the light around (so they’re great in dark rooms too).
If you don’t want to live in a hall of mirrors, shiny metals and glass have a very similar effect.
Lots of light
Light, especially the natural kind, will open up a space. If you’re short on windows, make sure the room is well-lit with a variety of sources such as overhead task lighting, lamps and candles.
Avoid creating shadows, particularly in the corners, as this will make the room feel even smaller.
Multi-tasking furniture
Furniture that works double duty will help you make better use of the space you do have. A coffee table that can also be used as storage, a stool slash bedside table, dining table desks, sofa beds – the possibilities for multi-tasking furniture are endless.
DITCH
Disproportionate furniture
Small rooms call for small furniture, right? Wrong! Lots of small pieces can be just as cluttering as one or two bulky pieces.
Balance is key – one statement piece, like an oversized armchair, alongside a couple of standard sized pieces should work nicely.
Too much… of anything
Clutter is a killer in small spaces. Be ruthless and get rid of it, or at least find a home for it.
Be sparing with ornaments and personal effects too. It may be tempting to fill every surface but this will make the space feel untidy and claustrophobic. Your home is not a museum; one or two really special pieces will have more of an impact than lots of average pieces.
Duplicates
Do you need two bedside cabinets, two matching lamps, two chests of drawers? Do you need a TV in the living and the bedroom?
If you can avoid duplicates, do, as this will free up lots of space for more practical items – or nothing at all!
