Feeling cramped by your small house?
There are
some simple tricks you can use to make tiny spaces look larger and feel bigger.
Has
your home started to feel a little small for your family? It happens to the
best of us. The things we own gradually end up colonizing a lot of our free
space, and the house which felt “just right” a few years ago can suddenly feel
as tiny as a shoe closet.
Fortunately,
there are some simple tricks you can try to supersize your small space. Most of
these tricks are a matter of changing perspective rather than opening up more
square footage. Before you try them, consider a real effort to declutter first.
If your declutter campaign falls short, though, these tactics may come to your
rescue:
Lighten up the walls. Color
can make the difference between breezy, cozy, and claustrophobic. Dark colors
on walls make them seem smaller and denser, while lighter ones broaden your
view and reflect more light. While white can be a bit harsh, there are other
cheerful tones such as lemon, mint, and cornflower which can transform a space.
Aim high. Many times,
our gaze tends to lock onto the things in the way of our feet. If you have
zones of heavy storage occupying square footage, look for ways to get those
items off the ground. Corner shelves, hidden cabinets, and even hanging racks
can do wonders for widening up narrow spaces. Hanging pictures higher up on
walls can make rooms feel taller, too.
Widen up the windows. Big
curtain rods which extend beyond the border of the window can make a window
seem larger, and making the move to keep them open (perhaps with sheer drapes
for privacy) can let in crucial light. If you have a little renovation money,
consider adding windows to rooms where less-than-ideal lighting conditions
exist.
Cast mirror magic. Amplifying
light is a big theme here, so position large mirrors across from windows to
create “windows” where no window can exist. Even if you don’t have a window
handy, a large mirror can double up the tiniest room.
Demand double duty furniture. Hidden storage in large furniture can be a boon for making the most
diminutive room more manageable. Take, for example, raised bed platforms with
drawers built in the frame. Look for any opportunity to hide storage in
existing objects.
Hopefully these five tips will make your small house more spacious. If
they still don’t make enough room for peace of mind, it might be time to
consider upsizing. I’m happy to help you assess how much home you can afford,
and what you might be able to get for the house you’ve outgrown. Drop me a line
if you’re ready for the big time! valerie@valeriemcconville.com
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