Decorating Small Space

Decorating a small space without compromising on your requirements, sense of style and imagination is indeed a challenge. Conservation of space, retaining the functional aspect of every room, comfort, style, appeal and finally the much important feel good factor- all demand equal weightage. The key to strike a perfect balance lies within you - provided you are all set to break conventions and explore the artist in you and correlate your imagination with the available space.

Yes, decorating small space is truly interesting. Attention to small subtle elements can lead to enormous space gain. Our guide to decorating small space - homes or apartments takes into account every tiny aspect that will help optimize space. Learn certain small space enlarging tricks and focus on furniture selection appropriate for small space.

Combine this with your decorating ideas to combat 'space challenge' so as to create more living and storage per square foot. Finally, on the anvil is a transformation of a diminutive space into an over-sized room. Your motto 'to live large in small space' can be finally experienced.

Small space decoration

Firstly, acknowledge the positives of small space living. Be it kitchen, living room, bedroom or bathroom, adapting to small space living saves expenditure on construction, on heating, air conditioning, maintenance and furnishing. Small is easy, beautiful and practical too.

Having realized the advantages of small space living, explore smart ways to make the area look and feel bigger than it is. Given the total area, certain features can't be modified. For example, you can't just change or move the walls. However, you have control over color, furniture and accessories selection and arrangement, and the ability to find ways to make the space multi-functional. Combined with an organized, simple living, your small space can turn out spacious enough.

Plan: Take individual measurements of each room. Study the area. Consider natural lighting and air movement. Plan space for furniture and note down the proposed furniture measurements in terms of length, breadth and height. Involve family members. You are likely to get big ideas for small space.

Color selection: Light and airy colors like blue, green and yellow for the walls help opening up available space. Almost all pale tones create a visual effect that make the walls appear to recede. Pick two coordinating colors. Otherwise, work on a color scheme for the walls, furniture as well as furnishings. If you are bent upon ushering a cozier feel, try dark colors, red, dark blue and brown but give additional attention to lighting and upholstery. Decide on a monochromatic decorating theme, wherein all the colors do not vary in brightness.

Furniture selection: For efficient space management, select multi-functional space saving furniture that provides storage. Browse the Internet or visit space saving furniture showrooms. Today, consumers have a never before variety with hidden storage options that match each one's need.

• A bed with boxes, drawers and cupboards with cubby holes for storing books, linen, clothes and shoes.
  
  
• A bed, which can fold up against the wall. Make room for shelves above the folded-up bed. Make provision for a blind or curtain which, when extended will cover up the entire wall.
  
  
• Foldable bunk beds in children's room.
  
  
• Replace the usual closet door that opens out with sliding panes, folding doors or a curtain.
  
  
• Breakaway from conventional seating arrangement in the living room. Instead of sofa, opt for individual seating. Love seats or foldable little chairs that take little space are a great way to make people comfortable.
  
  
• Convert a large storage trunk into a table. Spread a simple tablecloth over it.
  
  
• A desk with bookshelves built into it, stool cum table, folding kitchen table set, coffee table with built-in drawers, wall-reclining chairs, ottoman sleeper that doubles up as footstool and a single bed, dining table with drawers help conserve space.
  

Mirror a wall: To create a feeling of spaciousness, add mirrors to walls. Decorative wall mirrors enhance space, doubles light, add warmth and extend the dimension. Try innovative, novel ideas to add mirrors in all possible places, which create illusion of space even on the floor.

Curtains up: See-through curtains or curtains in light fabrics that hang from the top of the window just till the sill contribute to a sense of spaciousness. The rooms look vertically taller and horizontally spacious.

Keep space open: Everything in its place and a place for everything, meaning avoid clutter. Do not overstock corners or the middle area of a room. Restricting furniture height is one efficient way apart from not blocking views to windows and doors. Arrange furniture in such a way that the room appears less cramped and there is enough space for leg movement. Place furniture against walls. Display art exhibits or collections in a group to form theme in room corner. This arrangement allows for comfortable traffic flow.

Upholstery selection: Going by the fundamentals of designing, big patterns, bold plaids, stripes, and bold prints bedspreads, carpets, rugs or upholstery should be strictly avoided. Instead, keep upholstery plain and simple or with small patterns.

Organize small space living

• Do not buy all that which attracts you. Bring in home only those items that are required. Purchase quality, multi-functional items.
  
  
• Maintain a schedule to take stock of things required or not required in a room.
  
  
• Before purchasing a new item, make space for it.
  
  
• While substituting an existing item, ensure old ones are removed.
  
  
• Make clothes storage seasonal.
  
  
• Restrict buying items in bulk. You may face a serious shortage of space or end up cluttering even an organized set-up.
  
  
• Do not accumulate countless plastic bags. Adopt an environment friendly method to dispose them.
  
  
• Kitchen utensils, pots and pans should serve more than one function.
  
  
• Keep kitchen gadgets simple and practical.
  
  
• Restrict kitchen dishes to a minimum of 2 only. One set for daily use and another for entertaining guests.
  
  
• Check out under-cabinet mounting types of kitchen appliances.
  
  
• Make the most use of vertical space in bathrooms. Cabinets on walls can provide sufficient storage space for toiletries.
  
  
• Extra throws and pillows reserved for warmer months can be tucked away in storage ottomans during the hot months.
  
  
• Nails behind doors, inside closet door can provide hanging space for lightweight items like socks, gloves or even handkerchiefs.