Just because your home’s rooms are small doesn’t mean they have to be cluttered, and it doesn’t mean they can’t be cozy. Because some houses and flats have small, even uncomfortable rooms, we must devise creative ways to arrange furniture and design. There are a few methods that might help you make those spaces look more roomy, neat, and fashionable.
Use your balcony as an extension of the living room to gain space
When you have the advantage of having a balcony or a terrace next to the living room or dining room, you can turn it into an extension of the ambiance you want to create in your living room. To this end, you can keep the curtains open (and the windows, if it’s hot), and place tables, chairs, and other useful furniture there. Doing that will make the environment seem more spacious and comfortable.
Try using built-in furniture to save space
To save space, there is nothing better than built-in furniture. This way, you will gain square footage, since the furniture is actually fitted inside a wall. Another advantage is that since the wall must first be opened, the furniture has to be custom-made. In this case you can opt for having bookcases, closets, and even a fireplace. Although it requires some work, in the long run it will surely be worth it.
Choose furniture that gives a sense of order at home
If you place a lot of furniture in a small room, it can block people from passing. Not only that, but it can also create a cluttered environment. That is why, when choosing furniture, it is better to go for items that can easily fit into other spaces. For instance, poufs can be placed under or inside a piece of furniture when they are not being used. Stools can be stored under a counter. Another good option is to use folding or hinged furniture, which can be folded up when you need more space. This also gives the impression that you have more room to move around.
Don’t forget about your window space!
The best thing to do if you have a large window is to use it! For example, by adding a few cushions, you may transform it into an extra couch. It can be transformed into a sort of shelf where plants and other decorations can be placed. You can also convert it into a desk, which may be the greatest option because it will constantly be lit by natural light. You’ll be amazed at how useful the space beneath the window can be. Simply take the time to come up with some creative ways to make the most of the available space.
Install custom-made bookshelves
If it is within the realm of possibility, it would be ideal to have customized bookshelves made for you —something that meets your needs for space and functionality. By doing so, you will make good use of the wall, where you will have a closed and an open part to display books, decorations, a TV, etc.
Divide the ambiance using furniture pieces
When you have 2 neighboring rooms that aren’t divided by a wall, like for example, a living room and a kitchen in a loft-type apartment, the best way to make the most of both is to divide them using bookshelves, glass walls, bars, screens, curtains, or rugs. By doing this, you can maintain privacy in both areas, while gaining access to as much space as possible, and at the same time adding stylish accessories (e.g. rugs or screens). In other cases, you can use low furniture so that you don’t have to sacrifice the light in the room.
Hang your TV on the wall
Placing a cabinet in the room, specifically for the TV, will take up a lot of space that could be used for something else. Multifunctionality is key when it comes to small spaces. That’s why it’s best to hang your TV on the wall using a special TV mounting kit. The wires can be hidden, giving the room an effortlessly modern look. It also becomes easier to achieve the optimal viewing distance and reduces the chance of eye or neck strain. You can attach the screen at the height you want.
Go for neutral colors in decor
Neutral shades help create more spacious and welcoming environments. In addition to buying furniture in these tones, opt for curtains that match these colors too. Traditionally, the shades that are considered to be neutral are: white, gray, and beige. You can also use red to highlight some specific elements, as it matches any of the aforementioned colors very well.
Place a big mirror on the wall
In order to create a more spacious room, mirrors can be a powerful tool to rely on. Placing a large mirror on a wall will make the room brighter, while at the same time, giving the impression that the room is more spacious. However, be careful not to fill the walls with mirrors since that can overload the space.
Install shelves
A great way to optimize the use of space at home is by installing shelves and using corner furniture. On these shelves you can store things like books or even food, and you can also place ornaments and plants there, among other things. All of these will give a very cozy feeling to the room where they are placed. There are different shelf designs that you can choose from, like floating, corner, glass, minimalist, etc.
