When space - and money - saving is a priority, decorating your home and figuring out the best layout can prove a daunting task. Considering how you plan to balance stylish design with daily routine is essential, but challenging; in this blog we hope to prompt some ideas on how to make your space work for you when you have a cosier space to work with.
1. Begin with lighter tones
Colour theory suggests that the hues you pick for your home can determine how confined or spacious it feels - regardless of how much room you actually have. If you’re looking to keep your space feeling generous, you can afford to include darker features in your home, whereas with smaller spaces, lighter shades are advisable to keep the room feeling roomy and ventilated. This particularly applies to the walls and ceilings, which can influence how the light interacts with the space it enters; amplifying, or muting it. This can be an affordable option to create the illusion of space without adding or removing from the room.
2. Opt for "leggy" furniture"
Furniture set higher on wide-set legs allow more light to pass easily beneath, giving the impression of additional space. There’s the added bonus of easy cleaning access, too, where you can sweep, hoover and mop without having to rearrange the furniture, and can also protect from moisture damage. They also happen to look stylish, too, particularly in more compact spaces. “Leggy” furniture can come in many categories, though the first and main one that comes to mind is the sofa department. Pair a relaxed, elevated sofa with a leggy accent chair and you’re good to go!
3. Include larger mirrors
An arguably underutilised method to amplify the visual capacity of a space is the inclusion of a larger mirror. A statement piece in its own right, a well-chosen mirror can add decorative flair to a home, and this can be done on a tight budget if need be. The bigger the better for small spaces; the larger they are the more area they can reflect to assist with the illusion of a spacious room. The finishing touch of bevelled edges or a stylised frame can help add that decorative bonus, an ideal way to add depth to a space without taking away room on the ground.
4. Lean into vertical furnishing
Whilst mirrors are a strong start in vertical furnishing, taking your decoration wall-mounted can greatly increase the feeling of spaciousness. Whilst minimalism is often a suitable option, you’ll likely still want to showcase some personal flair; for this, including wall décor such as wall-mounted pictures and paintings and floating shelves can make perfect sense. Floating shelves are an ideal alternative to a bookcase, as you’ll have a similar level of book and miscellaneous storage space without the bulkiness of a floor-standing bookcase. As a bonus, they’re often more affordable.
5. Be intentional with storage
Last but not least in today’s blog, we’d recommend being super intentional with your storage space. If your home is on the smaller side, how you furnish and decorate can limit or expand on how much storage you have to work with. A well-placed ottoman bedframe or footstool can be stylishly functional in many ways - concealing items you’d like to keep out of the way to avoid clutter, for example. This can greatly reduce a feeling of crowding in smaller spaces, and their multiple uses make them a cost-effective solution to your furnishing woes.
Making some changes to a smaller home? We hope this blog was able to spark some inspiration for you, as at NCF Living we don't believe that style has to come at too high of a cost. If we've piqued your interest, shop with us online now at NCF Living, or visit us at any of our 24 stores nationwide - we can’t wait to welcome you in.
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