Designing for smaller spaces

Smaller living spaces can become sleek, comfortable environments with the right planning and a touch of interior design flair. Well thought out decisions on furnishings and appliances can ensure that a smaller space can be transformed, seamlessly into a dream home.

The first rule to adhere to when planning your design is to get rid of superfluous objects. Large, bulky furniture which is more ornamental than functional should be the first to go. Designing for a small space is all about clean lines, geometric shapes and simple, functional, but nonetheless, chic pieces of furniture. Cabin beds with a space underneath for storage or a work desk can be an excellent way to maximise floor space. A dining table or breakfast bar can function as an excellent place to eat and work.

Lighting can play an important role. Ceiling or wall mounted lighting maximises space, although carefully placed floor lamps with multiple adjustable lights can be great for throwing pools of light and breaking up the space, making it appear larger. Rugs and mats on the floor are also great for this purpose.

Artwork and mirrors on the wall are another great way to both breakup and extend the appearance of the room. Reflective surfaces also add more light sources, brightening the space without sacrificing any essential floor space. Possibly the most important and often overlooked aspects on design for small spaces is getting the colors right for the walls. In general, lighter more vibrant colours will create a more airy, larger feeling space. Alternating of the colours from wall to wall can also create energy, although ensure that the colours are complimentary rather than clashing. Subtle use of a gradient on the walls can further add to the airy feeling and mirror the look of the sky outside, as if the ceiling is a part of the sky.

Another element of the design that should be considered is the appliances to be installed in the space. Bulky nad inefficient appliances can cause just as many problems as large pieces of furniture. Slimline electric radiators provide a consistent source of heat while maximising the amount of available floor space. They are inherently designed to fit in awkward spaces and unlike traditional bulky radiators can easily fit into the design scheme of the room. Indeed, they can be moved from one location to another with very little hassle, allowing for future configuration changes to the space and giving you the flexibility to make further improvements as you get used to living in there. Many designs nowadays are very elegant and can therefore be incorporated into the design of the space rather than fought against, or hidden away under complicated coverings.

Organisation is a key component of living in a small space. From a small bedsit to the most sophisticated interior design masterpiece, simple grouping of similar objects together can save you from clutter and maximise the space. Kitchen utensils can be hung from a wall mounted rack rather than stacked untidily in cupboards. Keep things simple in this area – if the broom and mop will happily fit between the refrigerator and the wall, then this is the ideal location for them. If you are a home worker, invest in a scanner and get used to digitally filing documents to save space on stacks of bills on shelves.

The overriding goals for interior design should be creating a space which brings a feeling of ease and comfort to those who spend time there. Rooms should not be cluttered, but decoration should complement the space in which it sits. A good tip is to always have a space in the room where a person can stand with arms fully extended and not touch anything, this will help the inhabitant to unwind, and create a small pocket of calm and emptiness, even in the smallest city apartments.

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