Expert Eye: 14 Top Tips for Living in a Small Space
Don't live bigger, live smarter. An interior designer shares how to maximise the sense of space in a small apartment
With commute times bordering on ridiculous and escalating property prices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, home buyers are now thinking smaller when looking for a house. Research shows clear health benefits are gained from spending more time with your family, less time commuting to work and having a clutter-free environment.
Living in a small house or an apartment is not about giving up space, but being selective with what you keep or buy and how you store it. Savvy home buyers are doing their homework to learn how to live smarter in their space before they buy. Then if their budget allows, some are engaging carpenters or designers for professional advice on built-in storage ideas. A well-balanced interior theme that is consistent throughout your home will help you achieve that feeling of space in a small area. Exploring a few interior trends to understand your personal style is important, before you start painting or buying flat-packed furniture.
Living in a small house or an apartment is not about giving up space, but being selective with what you keep or buy and how you store it. Savvy home buyers are doing their homework to learn how to live smarter in their space before they buy. Then if their budget allows, some are engaging carpenters or designers for professional advice on built-in storage ideas. A well-balanced interior theme that is consistent throughout your home will help you achieve that feeling of space in a small area. Exploring a few interior trends to understand your personal style is important, before you start painting or buying flat-packed furniture.
2. Take it up to the ceiling
Built-in cupboards and shelving will be your best friend in a small area. Go right up to the ceiling height if possible and keep it neutral, particularly if you have plenty of books and ornaments. It is those pieces that will add the colour and character to your room.
Built-in cupboards and shelving will be your best friend in a small area. Go right up to the ceiling height if possible and keep it neutral, particularly if you have plenty of books and ornaments. It is those pieces that will add the colour and character to your room.
3. Old is new again
A retro theme works well almost anywhere, but especially in an older-style apartment. It can be just one piece of furniture and the accessories that set the tone. If you would like help creating a gallery wall, see below.
An Insider’s Guide to Creating a Gallery Wall
A retro theme works well almost anywhere, but especially in an older-style apartment. It can be just one piece of furniture and the accessories that set the tone. If you would like help creating a gallery wall, see below.
An Insider’s Guide to Creating a Gallery Wall
4. Super cool study nook
A study nook is a great alternative to an office when space is limited. Custom-made desks are a little expensive, but you can still create this work nook with a ready-made desk. Choose the wallpaper first, then the desk and shelves. A clear Ghost chair would be a great option, and you can then pop some baskets under the desk for more storage.
A study nook is a great alternative to an office when space is limited. Custom-made desks are a little expensive, but you can still create this work nook with a ready-made desk. Choose the wallpaper first, then the desk and shelves. A clear Ghost chair would be a great option, and you can then pop some baskets under the desk for more storage.
5. Down the hall
Hallways are a big bonus in a small space because of their potential for hooks for coats or hats, a photo gallery and, best of all, shelving. If you wanted to go higher than the timber shelving in this picture, you should choose white, otherwise the hallway will feel too skinny.
Hallways are a big bonus in a small space because of their potential for hooks for coats or hats, a photo gallery and, best of all, shelving. If you wanted to go higher than the timber shelving in this picture, you should choose white, otherwise the hallway will feel too skinny.
6. Island bench or not?
There are no right or wrong rules about island benches and one would fit into this kitchen. The best option, however, would be one on wheels or small feet so it would sit above the floor and give the illusion of more space. This family chose a round table to provide more space, while the open white shelving gives a relaxed and bright feel to the kitchen.
There are no right or wrong rules about island benches and one would fit into this kitchen. The best option, however, would be one on wheels or small feet so it would sit above the floor and give the illusion of more space. This family chose a round table to provide more space, while the open white shelving gives a relaxed and bright feel to the kitchen.
7. Keep it simple with colour
When choosing a colour scheme for your home, make it consistent throughout, and yes, I mean every room. It can be a lighter shade or a darker one, but use the same colour. There is a good reason why white is a consistently popular decor base – it makes decorating easy and the colours in your accessories pop.
The Golden Rules of Proportion: Decor Laws You Need to Know
When choosing a colour scheme for your home, make it consistent throughout, and yes, I mean every room. It can be a lighter shade or a darker one, but use the same colour. There is a good reason why white is a consistently popular decor base – it makes decorating easy and the colours in your accessories pop.
The Golden Rules of Proportion: Decor Laws You Need to Know
8. Bedroom bliss
Bedrooms are sacred, and even more so when your space is limited. Create a peaceful retreat to relax in and try not to clutter your room with a lot of furniture.
Bedrooms are sacred, and even more so when your space is limited. Create a peaceful retreat to relax in and try not to clutter your room with a lot of furniture.
9. Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling
You don’t need a big budget for built-in wardrobes. Most wardrobes sold flat-packed can be fitted to your wall by anyone with some DIY skills. The real genius is taking them up to ceiling height and the full width of one wall.
You don’t need a big budget for built-in wardrobes. Most wardrobes sold flat-packed can be fitted to your wall by anyone with some DIY skills. The real genius is taking them up to ceiling height and the full width of one wall.
10. Polished veneer
Timber veneer is a great option, with lots of colours and textures that will add character to even the smallest bedroom. The blue grey in this room is little strong, but you could easily change it for a pebble colour with soft greys for the bedlinen.
Timber veneer is a great option, with lots of colours and textures that will add character to even the smallest bedroom. The blue grey in this room is little strong, but you could easily change it for a pebble colour with soft greys for the bedlinen.
11. Bunk up
Kids just love bunk beds, plus they are a great space saver and not expensive. A bright round rug would finish this room perfectly.
See more great kids’ rooms
Kids just love bunk beds, plus they are a great space saver and not expensive. A bright round rug would finish this room perfectly.
See more great kids’ rooms
12. Let the sun shine in
If it’s an option, a skylight can turn your minute bathroom from dark and dank to modern and bright. Sunlight also helps keep away mould. Less is best when choosing finishes in a small bathroom, and remember that using the same tile on the floor and walls gives a feeling of space.
If it’s an option, a skylight can turn your minute bathroom from dark and dank to modern and bright. Sunlight also helps keep away mould. Less is best when choosing finishes in a small bathroom, and remember that using the same tile on the floor and walls gives a feeling of space.
13. Taps turn on
If you have chosen a soft neutral finish in your bathroom, as in this one, you could include black tapware to give it a modern edge. White subway tiles have been used on the floor, which match the smaller pattern of the floor tile. To make this bathroom appear larger, you could use a larger floor tile, and large white rectangular wall tiles. Ad of course lighting is always important, especially if it is a windowless room.
If you have chosen a soft neutral finish in your bathroom, as in this one, you could include black tapware to give it a modern edge. White subway tiles have been used on the floor, which match the smaller pattern of the floor tile. To make this bathroom appear larger, you could use a larger floor tile, and large white rectangular wall tiles. Ad of course lighting is always important, especially if it is a windowless room.
14. Outdoor dining
A good way to expand your living and entertaining options and take in the outdoors, is to turn your courtyard – if you have one – into a dining room. You can eat out here and entertain your friends in fine weather. Then you might want to buy a smaller table for inside when its cooler.
Under-seating storage space can be used for cushions and gardening tools. If you have built-in garden beds, reticulation will be essential to keep your greenery healthy and growing up the walls.
Tell us
Do you live beautifully in a small space? Tell us what you’ve done and how you live in the Comments below and join the conversation.
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A good way to expand your living and entertaining options and take in the outdoors, is to turn your courtyard – if you have one – into a dining room. You can eat out here and entertain your friends in fine weather. Then you might want to buy a smaller table for inside when its cooler.
Under-seating storage space can be used for cushions and gardening tools. If you have built-in garden beds, reticulation will be essential to keep your greenery healthy and growing up the walls.
Tell us
Do you live beautifully in a small space? Tell us what you’ve done and how you live in the Comments below and join the conversation.
More
Hire an interior designer on Houzz
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You should think big with one large piece of furniture to anchor the colour and decor theme of your home. Just one, and a sofa is the best option as you spend more time relaxing, reading or watching TV on a sofa than you do at a dining table.