Short on space but not on style

Making a small property appear larger is one of the biggest challenges for a homeowner, but if you apply a few decorating and furnishing tricks and take some professional advice from an interior designer, there is no reason why your small home should not look or feel like a more spacious property.

Walls and floors have a lot to do with adding or removing the feeling of space and colour-coordinated walls are one of the main ways of creating the sensation of spaciousness. “I would recommend sticking to a neutral or pale palette of colours,” says Lesley Watt, Design Director of Obelisk Interiors. “A selection of off-white and cream tones throughout the home gives a sense of continuity.” To differentiate rooms, you can add splashes of colour with accessories such as cushions, rugs or window fittings. “This helps break up the monotony and also individualises rooms,” comments Lesley.

Older properties with small rooms and a surfeit of dividing walls may benefit from the drastic solution of removing a wall altogether. However, this option requires professional advice to ensure no load-bearing walls or vital structural elements are removed.

A uniformed floor covering throughout the house help make the rooms flow into each other. If you decide on tiled floors – a popular option for Spanish homes – consider placing the tiles on the diagonal as this helps a room to appear larger.

If your property feels small because the ceilings are low you need to create a sensation of height. There are several ways of doing this, for instance, painting the ceiling a lighter shade than the walls makes the ceiling seem higher. Recessed lighting also gives the idea of height.

Furniture for a small home is a vital consideration and if you are downsizing you may have to rethink your furnishing needs and possibly buy completely new furniture. It is generally advisable to choose small furniture rather than large, although there is a danger it may be too small. “It’s best to consult an expert to help you choose the right size,” advises Lesley, “and a golden rule we apply at Obelisk Interiors is to measure the floor area before the client chooses or orders anything.”

In particularly small homes it is worth considering multi-function furniture such as a sofa bed or storage ottoman. Other space-saving options include using recessed areas such as alcoves or under-stair space for storage where you can fit customised shelving or bespoke cabinets. Carpenters at Obelisk Interiors can provide tailor-made storage solutions, for example, a bookcase or fitted cupboard.

The sensation of space can also be created by using strategically-placed mirrors. “Putting a mirror on a feature wall or at the end of a corridor gives the feeling of a wider area,” comments Lesley. “I would also recommend using transparent pieces of furniture, such as glass-topped tables or acrylic cabinets.”

With professional help and a little imagination, there are plenty of ways of making a smaller property appear more spacious and just because you are short of space, there is no reason to be short on style.

For more information, visit obeliskinteriors.eu