Though it may be very convenient to live in a small space like a studio or single-bedroom apartment, there may be several challenges you’ll have to face when decorating it. For one, the limited space available may make it difficult to fit essential furniture or other decorative items without overcrowding a room. Small spaces can also quickly feel cluttered, leading many home owners to simply refrain from decorating altogether. This limitation then reduces the freedom they have to personalise their spaces and make it completely their own, which can then make a home feel barren and less inviting to visitors.
But if these problems seem familiar to you, there’s no need to fret—you can still make the most out of a small space through the strategic use of colours, lighting, furniture, and other statement pieces like art prints and a complementary picture frame or two from DROOL Art. Here are some design suggestions that will help make your small living space appear bigger and more welcoming:
1) Use Multifunctional Furniture
Furniture that serves multiple purposes is invaluable in small spaces. Rather than buy a separate chair and storage, for instance, invest in an ottoman that offers you a place to sit or rest your feet while also storing books or other items in its hidden compartment. Meanwhile, foldable tables will allow you to stow them away when not in use, thus freeing up valuable floor space.
Multifunctional furniture allows you to save space while ensuring that you’ve got essential furniture to keep your living space functional. This type of furniture is often available in minimalist or modern styles as well, which can further add to the aesthetic appeal of your home.
2) Choose Light and Neutral Colour Palettes
Light and neutral colours will visually expand a room by reflecting light, therefore making walls and ceilings recede rather than feel closed in. When choosing colours for your small living space, prioritise whites, beiges, and pastel shades to achieve this effect.
Only having neutral shades in your home can make it look too sanitised or drab, however. To break this monotony, try adding interesting textures or subtle colour accents with throw pillows, artwork, or small decorative items in contrasting colours.
3) Add Art Prints to Your Walls
Art prints can make a small room look more inviting while contributing to the illusion of space. For instance, large prints depicting light colours or landscapes can draw the eye towards a focal point without overwhelming the rest of the room. Photo prints of roads, open skies, or nature can also evoke a sense of freedom even in a small space.
DROOL Art offers a wide variety of prints and posters to meet your decorating needs, allowing you to add a personal flair to your home while also helping open up your space. Once you’ve bought an artwork from us, consider hanging it slightly higher than usual to draw the eye upward. This will make the room feel taller and more spacious.
4) Opt for Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces
Mirrors amplify light and create depth, which will make any space look larger than it actually is. A large wall-mounted mirror or a mirror cabinet, for example, can add dimension without taking up precious floor area.
When choosing furniture and décor, also opt for the type with reflective surfaces such as glass tables, metallic décor, or glossy finishes on furniture. Doing so will allow light to bounce around the room, further enhancing the spacious effect.
5) Incorporate Vertical Storage Solutions
Anyone living in a small space knows the value of saving as much floor space as possible to avoid making the area look cluttered. While adding storage is the obvious solution, cabinets or bookshelves that take up too much room can work against your goal of making the space appear larger.
Make the most of the vertical space you have and employ vertical storage solutions such as narrow, yet tall bookshelves, wall-mounted cabinets, or pegboards. All of these can maximise storage without encroaching on the room’s footprint. In addition to keeping things more organised, vertical storage also compels the eye to look upward, which creates the illusion of higher ceilings.
6) Maximise Natural Light
Natural light makes any room feel larger and more inviting. Because it brightens dark corners and eliminates shadows, the light flooding in will make a space feel less enclosed.
Make sure your windows aren’t blocked by furniture or other bulky decorations. Instead, use light, sheer curtains or blinds to let in as much light as possible while still maintaining your privacy.
Another trick with windows is to place mirrors opposite or adjacent to them. This allows the mirrors to easily reflect light throughout the room, doubling the effect and achieving a more spacious feel.
7) Introduce Greenery and Natural Elements
Plants bring life, colour, and vibrancy to small living spaces, allowing you to turn a modest home into a warm and inviting place. When choosing house plants, opt for tall, slim plants such as snake plants or fiddle leaf figs to avoid consuming too much floor space. You may also place small potted plants or succulents by your shelves or windowsill to enhance the sense of tranquillity in your home.
To complement these greenery additions, try to incorporate natural materials such as wood, rattan, or bamboo in your furniture or décor choices. These materials can also add texture that will ultimately help make your space look more visually appealing.
Don’t let your limited floor space make your home look cluttered, lifeless, or bleak. Try any of the suggestions listed above to transform your small living space into a functional, inviting, and spacious environment. Art prints, in particular, will provide you with an elegant means to enhance both the room’s style and its sense of openness. Try browsing through DROOL’s expansive prints collection today and take DROOL’s Art Finder Quiz to find pieces that will be perfect for opening up your small home.
