Maximize your small space with these 6 steps

This 175-sq-ft living room is guaranteed proof that your tiny apartment can still feel big and beautiful!






1. Start clean + white.
An all-white room will make your space feel brighter and bigger than it really is.In this apartment, the owner, Anthony and his design team went the extra mile and pickled the floors white for a cozy Scandinavian vibe. Lighter colours make spaces look and feel more open and in a micro space like this you will need some tricks up your sleeve

2. Add a huge mirror.
The over sized vintage mirror creates an illusion of higher ceilings and opens up the room. Using your wall space to its full potential is key! Mirrors and any other reflective surface allow for light to bounce around the room making the room feel bigger and brighter


3. Think vintage.
Hit the flea markets, and maybe you’ll be lucky as this owner, Anthony. Vintage pieces are 'one of a kind' and they bring great warmth, character and personality to any space. His vintage folding farmhouse table is amazing – hard to believe it pulls-out and opens-up to seat six people.Or look for pieces that are just leaner instead of bulky and over sized

 

4. Little shelves add valuable surface space.
Coffee tables + consoles with extra shelves will double your surface space for storage + display. the design team picked an extra narrow console for Anthony’s entryway, but its still plenty big enough for dropping keys + sunglasses. In small spaces, you need to think double or even triple duty, so maximize the usability of your pieces


5. Look for nooks.
Anthony’s coffee table tucks nicely under his wall unit, so he can push it against the wall and clear some space for yoga in the mornings.

 

6. Prioritize comfort.
Comfort was a priority for Anthony, so his design team,Zio & Sons transformed the entire back wall of his living room into a space for lounging. The big sofa in a small space seems counter intuitive, but here it works! When you decorate any space you need to think about comfort and lifestyle







 

Decorating Basics of Living in Small Spaces

You don't need a huge amount of square footage to meet all of your lifestyle needs but you do need to be smart and think outside of the box when it comes to living in a smaller space.  Here are some great basics for living and decorating a small space.

1 - a tiny room doesn't need tiny furniture.  sometimes a larger sectional will be far more functional in a smaller space than say a small sofa or loveseat.

2 - purge before you move.  it's a freeing experience and clutter leads to stress, so figure out what you really want/need in your new space and don't purchase any organizing or storage pieces until you have decided what stays and what goes.

3 - use reflective surfaces to let the light bounce around the space. A small space feels bigger when you maximize the light in the space.  Glass coffee tables and hanging art in glass frames can make a huge difference.



4 - Make sure window coverings don't cut the light.  You panels should hang on either side of the window which makes it appear larger but also lets in lots of natural light.

5 - Think vertical.  when you are hanging art and shelving don't let wall space go to waste, using the upper wall space for art displays draws the eye up which makes the whole space feel big.

6 - in the kitchen, install cabinets that touch the ceiling, you will have extra storage and like point #5 the eye will be drawn up.  Also look at open shelving, lighter toned cabinets and some glass doors to lighten up the kitchen space.



7 - Cork and magnetic boards in the kitchen can help you keep organized.  This is perfect for an odd wall or the interior of your cabinet

8 - Cleaning caddy.  fill one cleaning caddy and keep it in an area like the kitchen or the laundry space, fill it with items for the whole space not just one room, that way you don't need to keep 'special' cleaning items in specifics rooms.

9 - in your home office or den, use a wall file system to keep your files and documents in order.  It keeps them off of the desk and again you are using the wall space.

10 - if you are in need of a spare bedroom but also a workspace, look into a Murphy bed with a desk attachment.  It's neat and organized.

11 - look for streamlined furniture in the living room - so avoid bold colour and patterns and big bulky arms.  A sleek sectional and slipper chairs will look great without all sorts of extra bulk



12 - Hang your TV on the wall and use an arm if it needs to be angled.  This means you won't need a bulky furniture piece to hold your TV.  You can have a furniture piece (if you like) and it can serve other functions like bookcase, storage for movies, blankets, board games and even dining room accessories.

13 - Remove DVDs and CDs (if you still use them) from their bulky jewel cases and keep them in a holder - it takes up less room

14 - Hang shelves above the toilet to give you more storage than just  medicine cabinet and get the clutter off of the counter top

15 - Add shelves and baskets inside the vanity.  Bathroom vanities are often these big cavernous spaces that aren't well designed for storage.  Add a shelving system and baskets to keep toiletries organized and tucked away

16 - Benefits of wallpaper.  If you have a long and narrow hall from the entry to the main living space, take advantage and wallpaper it (nothing too over the top) but a tone on tone pattern or illusion of texture like barn wood or silk would add some visual interest and would be a great art piece but again without the bulk of frames

 

17 - Go custom.  Look into closet systems for your front hall.  The front hall closet will play many roles - your coats, guest coats, dry cleaning drop off and pick up; sport equipment and maybe items needed for work - a custom closet might be worth it an there are many affordable options out there. Even just adding a second rod can do wonders

18 - Don't forget a furniture piece for the front entry, in a small space you will have a get creative - floating shelving, a set of stools, a sofa table are great options for a front hall in a small space and have a plan for key and mail - eliminate that everyday clutter

Compact condo living

In order to make the most of your home you need to identify the activities that take place within it. Only then you can accommodate them in the most efficient and stylish way. By altering the function of each room or its storage arrangements, you can make a room appear larger and by integrating colour, light and texture you can make any space feel stylish and practical.

Clearing out the clutter is essential in smaller spaces as it can really alter the mood of the room. Try and find a place for everything. Hooks for hats and jackets, small baskets for keys and magazines and don't be afraid to use the vertical advantage for storage of items you may not need regular access to.

Look for furniture that will give you more room. Meaning ottomans doubling as seating and a coffe table. Slipper chairs and ghost chairs can be stylish, comfortable and create extra space in your living quarters. Make sure to have good flow and try not to block windows, the views will make a room feel more spacious.

When choosing colour opt for something lighter. Lighter colours make rooms feel brighter, fresher and larger if you really want to make a space feel big, go monochromatic (tone on tone) this is not only stylish but an easy way to decorate and it never goes out of style.

Let in the light. A well lit room, any size room, will always feel larger when there is light. Get rid of heavy drapes and let light in - natural or artificial. Heavy drapes might also make a room feel closed in opt for roman shades or blinds.

When it comes to your furniture, a few larger pieces is better than several smaller pieces. Many small pieces can make a room feel cramped. Larger, well placed pieces can make a room feel comfortable and easy.

Keep calm with the patterns. If you want pattern, either keep it minimal in the room or make sure to decorate with a tone-on-tone pattern. Busy fabrics in a small space can be very overwhelming.

Reflective surfaces allow light to bounce around a room making it feel spacious. Mirrors can also make a room feel twice as large if it used properly.

Get creative. Small spaces are beautiful and unique. Don't get frustrated get funky! Use those fun little nooks for unusual but practical storage. Look into multifunctional furniture and creative storage solutions. A smaller space has the opportunity to truly be your space so make the most of it!