Living tiny is a thing. From people building tiny houses they can transport to wherever they want, to families leaving behind the “quarter-acre dream” to enjoy the benefits of apartment living, more and more of us are embracing the joy of tiny living.
And why not? A tiny space requires less time to manage, organise, and clean. It encourages us to think mindfully about the possessions we hold on to, and makes us focus on what really matters in life. And from an interior design point of view, small space create some of the most interesting challenges.
Here are Mal’s top clever interior design tips for small spaces:
1. Use light hues
If you want a space to appear larger, then keep your palette light. This brings additional light into the space, making it seem bigger and more airy.
2. Create multipurpose spaces
With small spaces, you need to make every inch count, which means that some rooms will serve several different purposes. The dining room doubles as a homework space, and the living room is also a guest bedroom. Think carefully about what each space will be used for, and find clever ways to incorporate these uses, such as drawers under the dining room table store away homework supplies, and stylish fold out couches.
3. Use vertical space
In order to make a small space feel roomy, you need to leave open paths for access and enough room for adults to move around each other without bumping. Try to get furniture, appliance and other objects off the ground to create more room, such as placing washer and dryer on top of each other in a cupboard, or incorporating wall-mounted ovens.
4. You can never have too much storage
This is true for all homes, but is infinitely more important in small spaces. Find clever ways to incorporate storage into a space, but having pull-out drawers beneath bay windows, creating room dividers that double as cupboards or display shelves, and turning unused nooks into functional spaces.
5. Use objects and colour to create “zones”
A zone is a certain use space for a particular purpose. In a larger house, this might be an entrance hall or a study, but in a small space, you can use dividers, furniture, floor treatment, or colours to delineate spaces where certain activities take place. For example. A large rug and storage box beside the door can signal an “entrance way” where shoes are removed.
Small spaces create unique challenges for interior design, but can also be some of the most beautiful designs. If you’re trying to figure out what to do with a small space, then let critically-acclaimed interior designer Mal Corboy show you how he can transform your home. Contact Mal for a no-obligation consultation today.
