Living in a small space does not mean settling for second best. In fact, having a small house can provide you with an opportunity to be creative and daring when it comes to decorating a smaller home. Only a few of us, city folk that is, are blessed with a budget that would afford us an appropriately sized dwelling within a reasonable distance to our favourite city haunts. Use this easy to follow guide how to create a small but smart home to be every bit as inviting and sophisticated as you ever dreamt it to be.
It is often tempting to use light colours in small spaces to make them appear bigger. It is not always the best course of action as making modest sized rooms appear bigger artificially would not necessarily lead to chic and atmospheric spaces we would like to achieve.
Despite your home’s small proportions, you can throw out the rule book and use daring colours to define various rooms. The key is to pay attention to the way the light moves throughout the day in your home. Laura Fulmine, an interior stylist, has created a sophisticated and colour blocked home that perfectly demonstrates this approach.
As a rule of thumb, the east-facing rooms that get more light in the morning can be painting in brighter colours (try Flint by Little Green Company for a contemporary cool touch or opt for a traditional take on the kitchen setting with Breakfast Room Green by Farrow & Ball.
In contrast, spaces that do not get much daylight are best painted in a statement, atmospheric colours to make the rooms appear intriguing and jewel-like. Moreover, pastel and pale shades will look drab and washed out in north facing rooms or those with no natural light so it would be best to avoid these. To make sure that your chosen tones works in a particular setting paint samples on pieces of paper and experiment with placing these directly in the sunlight as well as the shady corners. This process is also useful when choosing one main colour for multiple elements such as walls, doors and bookcases to prevent the room from feeling disjointed. Using a particular shade or similar tones in different spaces will act as a link and help the overall scheme come together.
To make rooms appear more expansive, team up pastel walls with ceiling and floors in darker colours to make the walls appear to be receding. On the contrary, if you choose to paint a small space dark, the floor should be kept pale to prevent the room from feeling cavernous. In order to further emphasise spaciousness and light of adjacent rooms, opt for a dark and intense colour for a windowless hallway that would sympathetically contrast with brighter coloured living spaces.
Experimenting with different paint colours is a great way to find a combination that works for you. Painting your smaller sized home will make it more welcoming and make it appear bigger as you move between different zones. After all, a tired paint job is easier to update or to rectify if you change the way a room is used at a later date so give your inner painter a go and enjoy the results.
When it comes to furniture selection there is no hard and fast rule on how to achieve the optimal result. Opting for built-in furniture that is multifunctional and space-saving. A headboard that doubles as a bookshelf is an effective way of keeping the space clutter-free and comfortable. Major investment pieces such as seating should have a light, delicate appearance with wire chair legs and slender sofa spindles to prevent the room from feeling heavy and box-like.
If your budget allows, remove bulky and unsightly radiators in favour of underfloor heating that is both discreet and practical not only in bathrooms but also in living areas.
Attention to detail and choosing quality pieces that serve of focal point of a modestly proportioned spaces will add depth and interest whilst making your home a reflection of your taste and design aesthetic. What’s more, choosing furniture pieces that take your fancy even though they may not belong to same design style or era will guarantee that your home appears curated and charming.
To keep bathrooms clutter-free, opt for slender, wall-mounted cabinets and pair these with a quirky stool or a vintage mirror. A browse through a Saturday antique market stalls should provide you with a couple of great finds. If you are pressed for time, Vinterior stocks an inspired selection of vintage objects.
When it comes to lighting, decide on a layered approach to illuminating your home. Prior to starting refurbishment, plan activity zones and furniture placement such as the position of your dining table, a reading nook, writing desk, bedside tables and plan your lighting plan accordingly. Spotlights in high activity areas such as kitchen and bathroom are a must but these should be dimmable and paired with other fixtures such as pendants and wall lights to create a sophisticated atmosphere for different settings.
Be careful not to ruin a seductive appeal of a small richly coloured room with an array of harsh spotlights. A freestanding floor lamp or statement wall lights will add charm and sultry atmosphere instead.
Another effective and inexpensive way of adding a layer of lighting is to incorporate reflecting surfaces throughout your property. Opt for timeless finishes such as brass or polished chrome to bounce the light around or add mirrors in alcoves or use mirror topped consoles and tables..
A modestly sized home does not need to feel enclosed and stifling. Removing dividing walls to highlight its overall volume can make a small space appear airy and inviting. If ceiling height allows, a split-level home can be created by adding additional spaces vertically. Dividing the property into different zones for working, sleeping and entertaining will allow the small home to feel considered and open. Ceiling mounted curtains or moveable panels will allow for privacy or drawn back when not required.
Opt for a strict colour palette to be used in different areas to make the space appear flowing and coherent. Do not forget to add pieces in natural materials such as wood and sumptuous soft furnishings to create a feeling of warmth and sophistication. After all, a small home interior design is not about fighting its size, it is about celebrating its true potential to achieve roominess and practicality coupled with elegance and chic.
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