These days, it’s all about small. Living smaller is practical, it’s hip and it’s smart because more is not always better. But living in a small, well-designed space doesn’t mean giving up comfort. Using mirrors to add the illusion of space, colorful screens to divide rooms and multi-purpose furniture that serves double duty are just a few tricks of the small trade. Here are some other ways designers make the most out a smaller living space.

Plan It Out

Make consideration for furniture when organizing in a confined space. Plan out pathways for getting to and fro and keep breathing room between your prized possessions to avoid inducing claustrophobia.

An Element of Surprise

Unexpected patterns and curious items can all help to keep things fresh. A wall with concentric circles in a modern color palette, or a neat group of collectibles, add personality and fun.

Keep It In Perspective

Think about purchasing room anchor pieces in a smaller scale. Don’t clutter your domain with an over stuffed sofa and a dining table that seats 12. A mid-sized couch or a modestly scaled dining room will give your home the illusion of more space. Plus, you can always reuse them if you move to a larger place in the future.

Know Your Style

Pick a simple, clean style. It’s what designers use as a foundation for building a timeless room. Then express a bit more personality in subtle ways. Use your club chair to add some color or add flair with an accent piece. It’s less expensive to change smaller pieces to freshen up your style in the future.

Color Carefully

Choosing neutral colors for your foundation pieces is a smart move. That’s what designers call “figure ground relationships”. Neutral fabric on a neutral wall will work together much better than a red sofa against a neutral wall. And it’ll last longer too. After all, will you really still love that red sofa in five years?

Area Rugs Define An Area

If your home has a short pile carpet, use an area rug in your living room to better define the space. Or use a rug in your dining room to set it apart. A quality area rug will be there for many years adding color and context to your living space. Try it with a small rug in the center of your seating group to increase impact and style.

One Last Thing

Be confident, trust your instincts and try something new. This is your home, it should reflect who you are. So have fun, do what you like, and it will.

Sep
3

Prometheus
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Category
COMMUNITY, FASHION, Interior Design, Neighborhood