Small Space Living Secrets
If you’ve followed along for a while you will know that we lived in a tiny apartment in New York a couple of years ago. During our time in the city that never sleeps we developed some strategies and tricks to making a small space feel like a home. Below are a bunch of tips that we have used first hand and that are trusted amongst interior designers when working within a tiny space.
1. Don't Choose Tiny Furniture
The most common mistake people make when decorating a small space is choosing small furniture. It is essential to choose normal sized furniture in a small home so that people don’t automatically see the small furniture and associate it with a small space (or a doll house). Choose furniture that is not too big and bulky and has soft edges and neutral tones. This also means that if you eventually move to a larger home, you don’t need to buy new furniture to suit the larger space.
2. Vertical Space Is Your Best friend
Vertical space is key to maximising every inch of your small home. People often look at the floor of a room when decorating and never think to look up at the opportunities for shelving, wall art and mirrors. Add a few shelves or a tall shelving unit to show off all your décor pieces and add pretty yet functional storage boxes to store items such as charger cables and documents.
3. Invest In Double-Duty Furniture
Make sure you have a couple of pieces in your home that are both functional and provide a storage solution. For example, opt for a bed that has built in storage underneath or is high enough to store items such as suitcases and boxes below. Coffee tables and bedside tables are great places to store items, so make sure these have drawers or cupboards. It is essential to be smart when buying furniture for small living spaces and you should try your best to avoid buying any furniture that only has one function.
4. Embrace The Minimalist Lifestyle
Living in our tiny New York apartment with a shared wardrobe that was about 1200mm wide, made me realise you don’t need a huge wardrobe to survive. Choose clothes you love and that can mix and match with everything else i.e. a capsule wardrobe. The principal of minimalism can expand into other aspects of the home such as the kitchen and living area too. You should only keep items that serve a purpose and that bring you joy, if they do not, get rid of them.
5. Stick With A Similar Colour Pallet Throughout
Neutral tones work best in small living spaces as they open up the room and allow for visual flow. Don’t be afraid to add pops of your favourite colours, but make sure and stay consistent throughout the home. This will ensure there are no rooms or spaces that break up the eye and stop the flow of the home. Use similar shapes throughout as well, to create a cohesive and consistent home.
6. Add Life To A Space
Add plants and greenery to breathe life into your space. Plants not only add colour texture and life to space, but they help with purifying the air, which is essential when working with small living spaces. Try adding a large floor plant such as a bird of paradise or a fiddle-leaf fig and pop an array of succulents and small plants in every room.
