If you have a studio apartment, it can be easy to feel disheartened by the lack of space, but there are some really easy ways to make it feel bigger. All you need is a bit of paint, sensible furniture decisions and your imagination.
Colours
Lightening your floor color to a light wood color will make your apartment feel more spacious. The rule for clothing works the same with interior design – dark colours are more constricting, whereas lighter colours are more airy. If you are in a rented property where re-colouring the floor isn’t an option, a light rug would also work.
When painting your ceiling, place a border around it – this will make the room look taller. You should always paint your ceiling a nice bright white. For your walls, stick to light colours – white walls with small pops of color really help to make the most of the space.
Furniture
The furniture that you choose for your studio apartment is an important factor. If you need a coffee table, try a transparent one – that way, you don’t add any visual clutter to the room. The same goes for your bathroom, where you should add a clear shower curtain if possible. You should also take advantage of furniture which can do a double duty – a desk with storage drawers for example. Hidden storage under your bed or sofa is also a plus. Rather than having lots of furniture, choose statement pieces like a large sofa rather than a two seater and a chair as the former will help to fill the room. Foldable furniture like chairs and tables will also become your new best friend. Exposed legs on your chairs and sofas will work well in a small space. Lastly, pull your furniture away from the wall to make it look like you have more space than you do.
Storage
Keep any necessary storage vertical – think high shelves that go all the way up the wall. If you can, color code them too – books look particularly great when they are separated by color and the overall look is especially streamlined. For extra space, use storage units to act as a wall divider. This will break up the room.
Lights
Avoid overhead lights which can make the room look harsh and cramped. Instead, go for softer lighting with floor lamps. Stick to warm coloured bulbs to make the room look more inviting and avoid cool tones.
Decorations
Rather than lots of small decorations which can make your studio space look cluttered, stick to a small amount of larger decorations, like statement vases. Use stripes to elongate the space that you have – a vertically striped rug would do the trick. For your windows, leave them uncovered if you can, or use blinds. If you must have curtains, go for floor length to make the room look taller. Rugs can help separate a room. A great space-creating tip is to use plenty of mirrors as they reflect the light. People struggling to sell their homes often find that adding a mirror to a small room can make the world of difference.
Living in a small space doesn’t have to mean that you feel claustrophobic. Keep clutter to a minimum and make the most of the little furniture you have. You can really make it feel homely and cosy with the right decorations.
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Author Bio:
Leila Jones is a content writer for Light Supplier, a small business in the UK. She is a Public Relations graduate from Sheffield Hallam University.
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