Few people are fortunate enough to live in their dream home, which means most of us have to make the best of our living situations. In many cases, this means living in a space that may be a little smaller than we would like. Unless you have serious storage issues or have to share one bathroom with five other people, coping with a smaller living space can be done with a few easy-to-manage tricks.
No matter what type of small space you may have, there are a lot of simple yet effective techniques you can use to make that space feel much bigger. You won’t gain any square footage, but you’ll be able to spend time there without feeling cramped and claustrophobic. By taking control of your small space’s color, texture and patterns, you can change the design of that space in a fundamental way that will affect how you and others feel in it.
For example, going with a monochromatic color palette for your smaller space can help the room feel more open and airy than having lots of contrast. Choosing accents in your space such as curtains made of light fabrics and furniture with long, thin legs also can contribute to the impression that the space is a lot larger than it really is. Walls and floors can be accentuated with striped elements that help guide the eye horizontally or vertically to create the feeling of additional height or width, as well.
Accepting your small space doesn’t have to mean feeling like you’re always trapped in a phone booth. Mastering some simple elements of design and using psychology to your advantage can help small spaces feel much larger — ultimately making you more comfortable in them. The accompanying guide contains many ideas for making a small space feel bigger. Apply them to your home and it will feel much closer to the dream space you’ve always wanted.
