Short on Space, but not on Style: Making the Most of Your Small Space
Living in a small apartment or condo comes with unique design challenges that may have you browsing your favourite magazines and Pinterest boards for small space design ideas. Whether it's a cozy walk-up in a big city or a terraced high-rise, designing these spaces can be an exciting challenge with enough planning and forethought. This article will detail some best practices that you can apply to your home, making it equal parts functional and stylish.
1. Consider Your Space & Plan Accordingly
Featured: Byron Sofa
This is one of the most important steps to capitalizing on the space you have. When assessing your home, be precise when determining the function and needs of each room. Ask yourself questions, such as: Do you need storage for kids' toys? Is a sectional necessary, or can you make do with a sofa and chair? Would a round table be a better fit for your dining room? Taking the time to ask these types of questions and answering them with those you share your home with will help to identify any problem areas within your space, and determine solutions before you start purchasing furniture or renovating.
2. Don't Shy Away from Large Statement Pieces
Featured: Antonello Club Chair
There's a common misconception when decorating and furnishing small spaces that you should avoid large statement furniture. Many homeowners assume that everything they put into their small space should be equally small. However, when your furniture, décor and artwork are all small in size, you run the risk of making your space look smaller than it really is. While you may have a penchant for décor of a smaller size, thoughtful space planning will dictate the most appropriate pieces for your home. A general style rule of thumb is that one, larger statement piece will always look more put together than a collection of smaller items, which run the risk of creating visual clutter. So, don't shy away from a statement sofa if you and your family spend a lot of time in the living room.
Featured: Kibris Carved Accent/Floor Mirror
Similarly, if you entertain often, you may consider investing in a larger dining table. The same can be said for bookshelves if you're a bibliophile, or kitchen countertop space if you're an avid cook. Ultimately, your home should work for you and your lifestyle. Other statement pieces to consider include area rugs, decorative mirrors (which have the added benefits of making a room appear more spacious), art and wall décor, and storage (whether it's an armoire, bookshelf, or even floor-to-ceiling shelves).
3. Embrace Layered & Lifted Lighting
Featured: Task Pendant Light
If you live in a small space, you know that flat surfaces like the floor and tabletops are prime real estate. As such, you may consider hanging lighting solutions to maximize your space (as opposed to table or floor lamps). For example, opt for wall sconces by your sofa and pendant lighting by your bed. These take up minimal space and have the added benefits of creating visual interest and soft lighting. If your space, however, relies on recessed lighting in the ceiling, layer in light from floor or table lamps to inject warmth and cast light up to your ceiling. This is important for making your space feel more open, as recessed lighting can leave your ceiling in darkness, making your space feel smaller.
4. Unify Your Space with Colour
Featured: Barbon Sofa
A tried and true design trick is to stick to one colour, or a simple palette of two to three colours to unify your space. Covering the walls and ceiling in one colour can make a space feel more open, and choosing a warm and rich, or soft and soothing hue can set the tone. Using one or a few complementary colours can exclude any defining lines within your space, making it appear larger. Another great tip is to take the colour you've used on your walls and incorporate it into a décor piece, such as an area rug or small accent piece. This will pull your room's style together, while still making the space feel open. If you love colour and want to incorporate more of it, opt for various accent pieces to sprinkle throughout your space in complementary hues.
5. Opt for Multi-Functionality
Featured: Cleveden Set of 2 Accent Tables
Regardless of style, one of the best things you can do for your small space is to invest in pieces that serve more than one purpose. Multipurpose furniture, or furniture with added storage, is the saving grace of small spaces. Some popular examples include a set of nesting tables that can double as a coffee table, a desk that can function as a buffet when entertaining, or an accent bench with storage that can be used as an extra table or seating.
While useful for any part of your space, multipurpose furnishings are particularly great if you're looking for small kitchen ideas. Make the most of your space around your cabinets with shelving and storage. Use corner cabinets to refrain from losing space, and consider a folding table that can double as an eating area and counterspace.
If you're looking for small bedroom ideas, storage beds, multipurpose storage, corner shelving units and daybeds with trundles are all great options to maximize space. A few small living room ideas include coffee tables or ottomans with built-in storage, bookshelves with decorative baskets, or even a sofa or sectional with storage capacity. Finally, for small dining room ideas, a table with leaves is a great option accommodating small and larger gatherings, a multipurpose buffet is great for serving and storing, and even collapsable dining chairs or bar stools can be handy in a pinch.
No matter the square footage of your home, it really comes down to being savvy about storage and making your space as efficient as possible. With these tips, you're sure to create a functional and stylish home for you and your loved ones.
