Many of us have had periods in our lives when we lived in apartments that were not really big. Many of us have lived in apartments that resembled shoe boxes more than actual living spaces. And while they can definitely be very cozy and pleasant, they do offer a challenge when it comes to interior décor and design options. Luckily, there are quite a few things that you can do in such situation, making your small apartment seem and feel bigger than it actually is.
Lighting is half the job
The human mind has a very simple reaction to the amount of light that is present in a certain space. When such a space is poorly-lit and dark, our mind tends to make it even smaller. Conversely, when you bring a lot of light into a small space, we tend to see and feel it as bigger than it actually is.
Therefore, if you wish to make your small apartment bigger, the first thing you need to do is ensure it gets as much light as it can. This means that you should never limit natural light that your small apartment can get by pulling down shades or using dark curtains. Also, you will want to introduce as much artificial light, preferably white light that will open up the apartment. Another great way to bring more light and expand the space is by installing large mirrors.
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Being smart with the colors
Color, when you get down to the physics of it, is just a way in which we perceive light and it can also have a huge effect on how we perceive a certain space. Professional painting people all agree that small apartments should always be painted in bright colors, with a heavy emphasis on white as the primary color for such spaces.
If you do wish to introduce darker shades or colors, use them for details that will only break the monotony of the white or the light colors that you have used as main ones. You will most likely wish to introduce a bit of blue or green in the bedroom for the sake of better sleep, but do not overdo it.
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Using multifunctional furniture
When you live in a small apartment, you need to be very smart with your space and one of the easiest way to save on space is to use multifunctional furniture. For example, you can put in a bed whose headboard will act as a shelving space on the other side. Or, you can have a counter kitchen table that you will also use as a food preparation area.
When you are choosing other parts of the furniture for your small apartment, you will want to go with clear lines and lighter furniture that will not be too cramping. There is simply no space for oversized (albeit comfortable) armchairs in a small apartment.
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Using open storage
Many people have problems with open storage because they feel that everyone is looking at their stuff all the time. In reality, open storage is a great way to visually “steal” some volume in your small apartment. For example, an open kitchen cupboard will get you a foot in depth, easily. Plus, if you have a knack for arrangement, you might actually make these open storage ideas work as decoration.
Image by Thibaut and Thewood via Houzz
Closing word
There are some basic things that you can do to make your small apartment feel bigger, but the real fun begins when you start coming up with your own ideas. Be creative, be adventurous and turn your small apartment into a perfect home.
Image by Tennessee Tiny Homes via Houzz
