Try these tips to jump on the downsizing trend without feeling cramped!
By Sleepwell Property Management Sunday, December 29, 2019
Minimalist living has become a popular trend in recent years and, with it, so has downsizing — and rightfully so! It's more affordable, cuts living costs, and reduces the amount of cleaning and maintenance. While living in a smaller space has its benefits, it can also begin to feel cramped without proper planning. A few optical illusions and carefully selected colours, furniture, and decor will go a long way in making your space feel bigger!
Choose light, neutral colours.
If you've moved into a home with dark walls, painting them a lighter colour will instantly make your room look larger — just be sure to run it by your landlord first! Choosing light, neutral colours will instantly brighten up the room and make it appear bigger. And this doesn't mean you're limited to only white, choosing the lightest shade of your preferred colour will have the same effect on your room. You can also throw a light coloured rug on a dark floor to open the room up further. Choose a simple design to maximize the impact!
Use mirrors.
Mirrors are a great way to make a room look bigger and brighter. Hang a large, framed mirror on the wall or stand an oversized mirror against it. Place the mirrors in areas where they'll reflect natural light to make the most impact on your space. Not ready to commit to a large mirror? Choose a coffee table or side tables that have glass or mirrored tops for a similar effect.
Take advantage of natural light.
Nothing will make your room feel bright and airy like natural light — and it's free! Avoid covering up windows with heavy drapes and curtains. Not only will heavy window treatments make your space appear smaller, but they also block natural light. If you absolutely can't live without curtains, hang them from the ceiling to the floor. Floor to ceiling curtains will give the illusion of higher ceilings.
Choose furniture wisely.
Before you begin buying new furniture, measure your space carefully. Furniture that overwhelms a space will shrink the room fast. Choose pieces in lighter colours (try to stay within one colour scheme) that will double as storage. For example, coffee tables with built-in storage help keep clutter at bay and storage ottomans can double as seating in a pinch. Love hosting, but don't think it's possible in a small space? An extendable dining table, foldable chairs, and a sofa bed mean you can still be the hostess with the mostess in a smaller home!
Clean up!
Few things will make a small space feel more cramped than clutter. Organizing and hiding away smaller items is the simplest and cheapest way to open up your space. Use decorative baskets to hide away small pieces and add some shelving to display knick-knacks and photos. But, don't overdo it — adding too many knick- knacks and photos will only make your room appear smaller. Choose a few medium- sized pieces to display and put the rest in storage.
