Spring conjures up images of spring flowers, warmer weather, and longer days, but it also is a time for rebirth, rejuvenation, and regrowth.
However, this means decluttering and spring cleaning for the average homeowner and maybe switching out your throw cushions and blankets for brighter spring-like colors in preparation for the summer months ahead.
It’s also the start of the renovation and home improvement season. Many of our clients have older homes with small rooms that need an upgrade.
So, how do you make a small space feel bigger?
Clear Out the Clutter
Spring cleaning and decluttering are a must in any household. It will help keep the room open and create an uncluttered flow. Get rid of things you haven’t used in ages and make your space more organized. Keep low furniture, like an ottoman or low coffee table in the centre of the room, with taller pieces against a wall, and use multipurpose furniture that includes hidden storage. Rugs or carpets can also provide the impression of a larger space.
Pocket Doors Can Save Space
Pocket doors are suitable for smaller spaces when a full-swing door is too big. They’re ideal for closets, linking two rooms (an ensuite and a walk-in closet), and small bedrooms with limited floor space. However, they are difficult to install and maintain, do not effectively block noise and odours, take up a lot of interior wall areas, and are noisy. Rather than standard 2X4 walls, pocket doors operate best in 2X6 walls. Order heavy-duty hardware whenever possible and use solid wood doors. A great alternative to a pocket door is a sliding barn door, but they require double the wall space.
Remove a Wall to Make a Small Space Bigger
Open plan is still trendy. Combining rooms can provide more light, more significant space, and a better sense of flow in many homes. If you live in a house with an old-fashioned and closed-off floor plan, separating the wall between two rooms can help you make extra space. It’s a significant undertaking, and it’s not appropriate for every home. However, with the right team to assist you with your project, this can substantially transform the space.
Choose Colours Wisely
Soft and light colours, like neutrals, blues, and greens, are great options for small spaces as it makes the room look bigger. Another way to create the illusion of a larger area is to use the same paint color on all the walls and ceilings, including trim and baseboards. However, suppose darker colors are more your style. It is still possible to incorporate them into a smaller space by using darker colours on the walls and lighter ceiling colors. It will draw your eye to the ceiling, creating a taller ceiling illusion.
Use Verticals
There is a trend now to extend patterns or even wallpaper to the ceiling. Vertical stripes or patterned wallpaper are also an option. Wall framing on a wall can make a small room appear much more significant. Drapes or vertical blinds can also help create the illusion of height in a room.
Create Space in Unusual Areas
To maximize any space in your home, try to utilize as much space as possible. Small spaces don’t have to be four walls. Consider making a pantry, a library, a storage area, or a reading nook from the room under a staircase, and open landing or reconfigure a closet space.
Add Layered Lighting
Use a variety of natural and artificial light sources. Having several light sources in a room minimizes shadows and can produce a layered lighting effect that makes the room appear larger.
Choose Transparent or Reflective Features
Mirrors are a simple way to make any small room appear more significant, and the reflection will bring light to the space. Make a room feel bigger by including transparent features, like Glass and Leucite, or reflective surfaces, like mirrors. Glass and leucite allow light to pass through, creating the illusion of more space. Choose artwork or mirrors that are tall and slim, as these will help elongate the room.
Choose Patterns and Textures Wisely
Use solid-colored upholstery and fabrics in small spaces and avoid bold patterns. Fabrics with textures in similar tones can create an exciting look and use sheer drapes to keep the space light and airy.
So, if you have some small rooms in your home and feel you aren’t getting the most out of them, these simple tips will help create the illusion of a much bigger space. Need help? Contact us today for your next home renovation or room refresh.