Surf Road How To: Designing For a Small Space
Living large in a small space? With all the stuff we acquire as adults (let alone parents!), finding room for everything can be tough, especially when you aren’t dealing with a lot of square footage. Whether you don’t have a lot of extra storage space, or simply need to better use the space you do have, you’ve come to the right place! There are a lot of factors we as designers take into consideration when designing in a small space.
5 tips to maximize your square footage
Embrace the Edit: This is perhaps Stacy’s favorite tip, and anyone who lived through the pandemic probably knows the phrase “keep it if it spark joy!” The first step to living in comfortably in a small space is decluttering. Let go of anything that doesn't bring you joy or serve a purpose. Invest in stylish storage solutions like ottomans with hidden compartments, sleek shelving that maximizes vertical space and of course lots of baskets and bins! Remember, a clean and uncluttered space instantly feels bigger.
Curate Carefully: Every piece should be working for you, which means you should be stocking up on furniture that multi-tasks. Think stylish futons, nesting tables that you can pull apart when needed, ottomans that double as extra seating, etc.
3. Maximize natural light and mirrors - Mirrors bounce light around a room and create the illusion of more space with the reflection. Where possible, allow as much natural light into the space as possible. Use sheer window treatments and keep sills and window bays clutter free. Low on natural light? Think bright paint colors and layered ambient light to create the illusion of a light bright, open space.
4. Create Zones: Even in a small space, creating zones with different functions can help make things feel bigger. Use different area rugs to designate living vs dining space, for example. Room dividers between the living and sleeping space can also create the illusion of more rooms than there are.
5. Use every corner: Under the stairs, in an alcove, always be on the look out for how you can maximize these underutilized areas. At our. house, we don’t have a closet on the first floor, so we use the under the stairs space to store jackets we aren’t using for the season. In our bedroom we used an oddly shaped alcove to create a built-in dresser and vanity so that we wouldn’t have to take up valuable floor space with additional furniture.
maximize your own space!
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Have a space saving idea we didn’t include here? Be sure to let our followers know with a comment on today’s Instagram post!
