A small home can be transformed by a creative interior designer. Here are some things to think about.
A creative interior designer can turn a small home from cramped into gorgeous. Tiny homes are becoming more popular. There are lots of reasons for giving up the McMansion and moving into a cottage like Grandma used to have. Fewer rooms to clean,
heat, cool, decorate or pay property taxes on means more money in the homeowners’ pockets to pay for exquisite furnishings and décor. Four bedrooms of ho-hum furniture can cost the same as two bedrooms of stellar stuff. Filling a thousand square foot living room takes a lot more knick-knacks, sofas, chairs, ottomans and artwork than a tiny three-hundred square foot space. Here are some ideas for a sweet little abode:
- Scale and proportion: When looking for sofas and chairs, make sure they’re not gigantic. Shopping with a measuring tape in one’s purse or pocket will be helpful. Measuring the room’s potential arrangement spaces and shopping with those dimensions in mind is smart.
- Apartment size couches: Some couches come in smaller sizes than the full scale models. The hide-a-bed might be a double rather than a queen but that will be enough. Stuffed chairs and sofas that are armless offer comfort and appear tinier.
- Light wall color throughout: In order to make the rooms flow and appear spacious, sticking with one light and neutral color will be a good tactic. Light colors always make a room look lighter and airier.
- Clear vases: Vases can still look smashing when displaying fresh flowers around the rooms. If each vase is clear glass, it will make the space appear larger.
- Mirrors: Having attractive mirrors around the home can visually double the space. Positioning mirrors so that they capture windows and light will be even more effective. Classy silver, gold or colorful frames will look delightful.
- Shades and mini-blinds: No heavy curtains in tiny dwellings. Instead, shades or mini-blinds that are set inside the frame will be an effective solution. Instead of chopping up the room with fabric drapes, the blinds can provide privacy without adding more bulk to the room.
- Keep it simple: Patterns and furnishings should be kept simple. One or two bold statements of pattern are all that’s needed. The neutrality of the other pieces will showcase the small amount of pattern.
- Plenty of lamps: Lots of lamps will make the place brighter and appear more expansive. These lamps and lights can be recessed, hanging or otherwise kept off the floor. The less on the floor that doesn’t need to be, the better.
- Utilize the outside: When a house is small, a homeowner can use his or her outdoor areas to an advantage. Having a porch or patio with wicker settees, tables and plants will give another room without walls. Having a lovely garden with benches will provide additional seating too.
A tiny residence can be charming, well decorated and adorable. It can save the homeowner money on utility bills, mortgage, furnishing and property taxes. All it takes is a creative interior designer to transform a small place from cramped into drop-dead gorgeous.
