Small apartments have their upsides — lower rent, often a closer proximity to bustling downtown areas and a certain irreplaceable cosy charm. Design has an important function in a small apartment, although people often focus on functionality rather than design when decorating tiny apartments.
Here’s how to decorate your tiny apartment to make it feel bright, cheerful and spacious.
Paint walls white
As a reflector of colours white, has helps expand space. Walls and ceiling painted white and light-coloured floors lighten and brighten a space and disguise edges of a room, making it feel and look bigger.
A splash of bright colour
Pops of bold, vivacious colour on a white or neutral space adds personality and energy. Splashes of colour guide the eye through the space, providing a visual tour that makes the space feel larger.
Always think vertical
Tall, narrow storage systems get the most storage out of the least amount of space. Place two identical bookshelves on either side of a doorway for a built-in shelving look. A floor-to-ceiling large entertainment centre serves as a great room divider.
Creative storage
Unconventional storage solutions, such as drawers under the bed, eliminate the need for a dresser. Another great idea is to incorporate storage around your furniture — a love seat sofa set into a cosy nook of contemporary cupboards look great and provides useful invisible storage.
Multitasking furniture
Select furniture that performs at least two functions. Most tiny apartments tend to be box-shaped; curvaceous furniture (a round dining table or a sofa and chair set with angled sides) will keep things from looking monotonous.
Mounted lighting
Floor lamps are great home decor, but not in a small space. Hanging or wall-mounted lighting saves space and provides overall better lighting.
Murphy beds help
Beds that can fold up into the wall are a great solution to maintain a nice-sized bed, while not taking space during non-sleeping hours..
Never overlook the floors
Floors communicate the style and flow of your space. Continuous flooring helps expand space psychologically.
Layers to add depth
One thing that small spaces lack is depth since there is only so much space for the eye to take in. Luckily, you can create depth easily by layering in your design. Shadow boxes make excellent wall hangings. Add a few throw rugs to help cover up less-than-luxurious carpeting. Layer your bedding with multiple blankets. Throw pillows add depth while keeping you warm and cosy. Layering is not just about piling one design element on top of another. It’s also about creating contrast. So when selecting the items that you’d like to layer throughout your apartment, go for pieces that have varying materials, textures and patterns.
Sharon Jutla is an international award-winning designer and passionate storyteller.
