Perhaps you live in a small house or studio apartment, or family members are spending more time at home, so there is a new need to maximize your living space. Creating an appealing and clutter-free design for small spaces by finding clever and attractive solutions is always a challenge. We have come up with five space-saving hacks that will help you get the most out of your tight spaces while maintaining a great look…and they can work in virtually any room in your home.
Choose Furniture With Dual Purpose
Rather than opting for furniture that has a single use, choose pieces that can serve multiple functions. Here are some handy space-saving ideas:
- A deep sofa can be used as a bed for overnight guests.
- A drop-leaf table also makes a great desk, dining table or console.
- Colorful cubes in fantastic fabrics or leather that can be used for extra seating or a coffee table.
- Storage benches will add extra seating as well as serve as the perfect place to stash items such as linens or kids’ toys.
- Bookshelves that double as room dividers can be filled with your favorite decorative items as well as books.
- Find a great piece for the guest bedroom that can double as both a dresser and nightstand.
Keep in mind that types of furniture are available with their own storage units, including beds and coffee tables.
Round Dining Tables
Round dining tables are not just for your breakfast nook – there are so many great ways to use them to save space. Because they have no corners, they make a room feel more spacious.
A round dining table is just as well-suited to a formal dining room as it is to an open floor plan in which the dining area is off to the side of a larger room. Because round objects naturally draw focus to them, it makes it easier not to notice surrounding clutter. The space around the table allows people to move comfortably.
Creative Use of Paint
It’s a given that lighter paint colors, such as neutrals and off-whites, create the illusion of a larger, brighter room. But here are some additional tips to help trick the eye and make a small room seem larger, all for very little investment:
- Use semi- or high-gloss paint, which is more reflective, giving the illusion of more light and space.
- Accent walls can add dimension to a space. Paint an accent wall in a bright color to create a focal point, with lighter tones in the rest of the room.
- Paint the ceiling to add some height to the room. Experiment with a light contrast color.
- Use dark trim with light colors, not the other way around, which can create visual borders that make a room appear smaller.
- Painting vertical stripes will make the ceiling seem higher, and the room seem larger as a result.
Lose the Window Dressing
Traditional curtains can make a room feel dark and heavy, even stodgy. Go for light drapery fabrics, such as sheers made from voile, muslin, and lace, or fabric made from natural fibers, which lets in lots of light and creates an elegant look. You can forego window treatments completely and let the sunshine in for a bigger, brighter appearance. High-tech smart glass is a great way to eliminate drapery while providing privacy at the same time.
For tips on how to transform the small spaces in your home without sacrificing aesthetics, give us a call today!
