Small apartments are often victims to too many décor compromises that cause them to look either empty and dull or cramped and over-packed. However, that doesn’t mean that it is impossible to find the exact proportion of minimalism and luxury, which will leave your tiny nest looking fabulous, just the way you want it. If you are up for a new interior design endeavor that will breathe new life into your place, here are some tips and ideas that will kick-start your creativity.
Set a neutral backdrop
There are many rules about decorating tiny spaces, and many of them can be broken. While painting the walls in light colors is one of those rules that are often advised to be broken if you are bold enough, there is too much logic behind this move to be ignored. Light colors are unobtrusive and therefore they allow you to fill the space as you wish. They also create the illusion of spaciousness and let the light travel through the room more freely. Crisp white is always a good choice, but you can also go with beige, gray, and other neutrals.
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Provide proper lighting
Lighting plays a huge role in every indoor area, but it is vital for small spaces because it makes them feel larger and more open than they actually are. Your first mission is to introduce as much natural light as possible. Depending on your possibilities, you can do that with large windows (without curtains or only with sheer ones), skylights or solar tubes. After that, you can continue to improve the illumination with layered artificial lighting (ceiling fixture + floor lamps, table lamps, under-cabinet lights + wall lamps). To achieve luxury, make sure the lighting fixtures are also a décor statement (e.g. metallic details).
Create reflection
As you have probably noticed by now, the biggest goal in small apartments is to trick the eye into assuming that there are more square feet than in reality. One of the ways to do it is to create reflection with glass, mirrors, and mirrored furniture. For maximum results, the mirrors should be large and placed opposite to the light source (window or light fixture). At the same time, these reflective surfaces will treat the room with an unparalleled sophisticated feel.
Make it warm
Minimalistic décor doesn’t have to be boring and cold. On the contrary, a small home is still a home, and it should feel like it. You just need to make some compromises. This means that you need to forgo the wall-to-wall carpet and replace it with a few stylish round rugs which will free the floor space and make it appear spacious while still providing the warmth of a home. You can add some more texture by using furry throw pillows and velvet upholstery.
Look up
The vertical dimensions of your room are just as relevant as its horizontal ones. A high ceiling will provide the room with a sense of freedom and a few extra inches for storage and decoration. Floor-to-ceiling drapes can elongate the space visually, but you can also draw the eye upwards with crown molding on the ceiling or an interesting lighting fixture. There are a bunch of ways to use the vertical space, including floating shelves and a gallery wall.
Choose furniture that won’t dominate the space
The selection of the furniture is of the utmost importance for the overall design. In small spaces, the arrangement will also impact the appearance and functionality. The first thing to know is that you should opt for pieces that appear lightweight (often those are pale colored and pale wood items). Avoid boxy pieces, and opt for the ones that have legs. Go for pieces with thin arms over substantial arms, and a tightly upholstered back instead of multi-cushion.
Accessorize sparingly
Accessorizing is critical for achieving a luxurious appearance, but in a tiny apartment, one extra accessory can mean the transition from luxury to kitsch. Most of your accessories should have a unifying element. That can be color, style, shape or finish. Arranging them in groups, instead of scattering them throughout the space without a plan and schedule will make everything appear more sophisticated.
As you can see, small doesn’t have to mean dull. With some clever moves, you can create a minimalistic, yet luxurious interior which will result in a home you’ll never want to leave.
About the author:
Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She’s passionate about fashion, home décor and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”