Living in a small space can be challenging. As HDB living spaces shrink and we find ourselves spending more time at home due to the pandemic’s situation, space becomes more of a priority in our lifestyles. Thankfully, there are ways to navigate this tight situation, to help your home look more spacious and become a more comfortable place to live in.
1. Keep a consistent bedtime routine
A house with too much things not only decreases the amount of space; it can also negatively affect your mental well-being.
Start first by decluttering your home. We often hold on to things that we think we need but often do not use. Take this chance to identify things that bring you joy and to donate or discard the rest.
The next step is to organise and store your things neatly out of sight. With your belongings stored in their proper places, the room in view will look more neat and spacious. Minimalistic furnishing with less things strewn around allows more area for walking and daily activities. You will live more comfortably and appreciate your home.
2. Choose the right colours
Playing with shades of colours is a brilliant way to create an illusion of a larger space.
While white is usually the go-to colour to enlarge spaces visually, the rule of thumb here is that cool and lighter colours recede and appear further away. Light and bright walls are also more reflective, making the space more spacious and airy. Opt for off-white, neutral and light grey colours. Cool tranquil tones like light blue and green work as well. Top it off by painting the ceiling white to make it look higher.
Choosing furniture in similar shades to your walls helps to blend them into the room, blurring the lines along the edges of the room and making it feel larger than it is.
3. Multifunctional furniture that works visual magic
If you are living in a small place, picking the right furniture is essential to creating more space at home.
Multifunctional furniture such as sofa beds, storage beds with drawers or expandable dining tables are perfect choices. Storage ottomans that serve as seats and extra storage space also help to maximise the use of your space.
Sofas, television consoles and bed frames with exposed legs and sleek designs are great for creating an airier and more open feel. The more wall and floor you reveal, the larger your room will appear to be.
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4. Let the sunlight in
A healthy dose of sunlight is not only beneficial for our health, but also for our homes.
Opening up your windows to allow sunlight in helps to brighten up the area and bring warmth into your home. Architects often use natural lighting to make spaces appear larger, illuminate interior design and increase the beauty of space.
Frequently used spaces like the living room and kitchen should receive more natural light as it helps to create a more spacious and positive environment, helping you and your guests stay comfortable within the confines of the room.
5. Mirror mirror on the wall
Mirrors create an illusion of a bigger living space allowing your home to look and feel more spacious.
When used strategically around the house, mirrors can transform a small, dull area to make it brighter, bigger and more beautiful. Mirrors can be used to highlight a focal point to create a sense of depth, in the living room to make it appear wider or even as a form of aesthetic decor along the hallway to welcome guests.
A tall mirror draws the eye upward, making a neat optical trick of higher ceilings. Large mirrors, one of interior designers’ favourite picks, can seamlessly open up rooms and make them seem twice their size. Overall, mirrors not only broaden up your space, but also add character to your home.
