Having a small space can both be a challenge and a delight to design. The limitations in square meter make for an incredibly tricky task, so the sense of fulfillment you can get when you do manage to pull it off is equally great. One thing is for sure though—when it comes to home interior design, the size of your space shouldn’t stop you from expressing yourself and enjoying maximum comfort. With some well thought of and executed tips, you can turn even the quaintest of home into your personal haven.
1. Apply the zoning technique.
If you want to make the most out of your small space, you need to have a solid, well-planned floor layout first before executing a home renovation. Since you have a limited area to work on, everything needs to be strategically placed in their most ideal spot in a room. If you have a bachelor’s pad, for example, you can set up your sleeping area in the dimmest part of your flat to establish that sense of comfort even without installing physical boundaries that separate it from the rest of your space. On the other hand, your living area can be placed next to the window where natural sunlight comes in, providing a welcoming vibe. Assigning specific zones will serve as the blueprint of your home interior design and make it easier for you to make decisions later on.
2. Choose your furniture wisely.
An effective home renovation plan is hugely affected by your choice of fixtures and furniture. Since you have a small space, you have to consider functionality as well as the size of your furnishings. For limited areas, pros suggest going for bigger, multifunctional pieces instead of what others would normally get, which is smaller, more compact furniture. For example, an appropriately-sized L-shaped sofa will free up more space instead of two smaller solo seaters which eat up more width and dimension visually.
3. Negative space is important.
Those with small spaces might feel the need to move everything far back into the wall as much as possible in order to open up the middle area of their homes. Unfortunately, this trick sometimes does the opposite because you actually create a smaller illusion by cramming everything back against the corners. To keep this from happening, it’s important that you employ a smart approach when using negative spaces. Experiment with your layout and leave some negative spaces between your couch and your wall, for example, to create the illusion that you have more square feet than what you have going for.
Your choice of carpeting is also important. If you want to dress up your floor, it’s better to choose wider carpets instead of smaller floor covers that may look like they are floating in your space. Having a wider carpet also tricks the eyes into thinking you have a wider floor area.
4. Choose classic lines and themes.
We’re not saying that you have to let the size of your area entirely control your choice of home interior design, but you definitely have to make some compromises here and there. For example, furniture with classic, clean lines work better on smaller spaces over chunky, bulky pieces. Those with materials made of glass are also more ideal because you can see through them, meaning you can trick your eyes into thinking you have a more expansive space. Even your choice of colors will matter, with simpler, lighter palettes giving you a more visual advantage over heavy pigments.
5. Play with height.
Pulling off a successful home interior design for a small space is all about being a master of illusion. When it comes to layout and your choice of furniture, you need to play up with variation and height as much as possible. A couch standing on legs instead of one with a base that touches the floor provides more height, for example. Ceiling to floor curtains give the illusion that you have a taller, more expansive area than what you really have. Don’t forget to make your design varied here and there though—mixing up long and tall pieces with more compact ones can make your small space more aesthetically pleasing.
6. Less is more.
This saying couldn’t be any more true when you are doing renovation for a small space. Clutter is your number one enemy if you have a limited area, so make sure to go for designs that are more substantial in size over smaller and numerous pieces. For example, a single table piece is better than having smaller fixtures crowded together. Doing so will open up your area, not to mention give your home a classic vibe.
Designing a small space is tricky so it’s understandable if you feel a little nervous doing it on your own. Don’t worry though—having professionals help you with the planning and execution is always an option. That’s what we actually do here at IEO designs with our full suite of interior design services that promise to deliver what our clients exactly want. Need help? Just reach out to us and we’ll be more than happy to transform your home.