No matter what kind of home you have, the chances are you don’t have enough space, particularly if you live in or around London. So we turned to the designers Athina Bluff and Amy Brandhorst from Topology Interiors to give us an insight into how to make the most of a small space – and how to make it feel twice as big.
1 Ditch unneccesary furniture
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Having chunky furniture is a luxury someone with small rooms cannot afford. So if you do not have the space for a proper chest of drawers or a wardrobe, swap them for a clothes rail instead. This will free up precious space but still create a well designed look.
2. Use transparent furniture and accessories
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Opt for homewares or furniture that are transparent. If you can see the room around the object, your eye will view more of the space and trick the brain into thinking it’s bigger than it is.Courtesy of Topology London
3. Don’t underestimate the power of a mirror
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If you’re lacking in space, mirrors are the perfect addition to any room. Not only can they be placed on the wall, meaning you avoid taking up precious floor space, they also reflect light to make a space appear bigger. The best place to position a mirror is opposite a window to reflect the most light possible.
4. Make rooms multifunctional
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With city living space becoming smaller and smaller, the need for rooms with multiple purposes is increasing. So, instead of turning that second bedroom you use for guests into the office you’ve always wanted, how about utilising the extra space you may have in another room? Create the work space in your living-room, kitchen or bedroom. Or perhaps you don’t have have a second bedroom but want friends and family to stay over? Turn your living-room into a make-shift guest bedroom with the help of a sofa bed.
5. Opt for oversize feature pieces
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It’s a myth that small rooms deserve equally small objects. By using small pieces, you’re actually shrinking the appearance of the room and making it look even smaller. Instead, add oversize floor lamps, pendant lights, plants or wall art.urtesy of Topology London
6. Combine two items into one
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An ingenious way to get the most out of your small space is to use items that can double up as something else. Pile up books neatly on a stool and place a lamp or vase on top. This functions as both book storage and a side table, and shows off your literary prowess at the same time. Tip: the bigger and chunkier the books, the better.
7. Think upwards
If you don’t have the space to go sideways, go upwards! Your room doesn’t stop at eye level – make the most of the whole wall space and introduce some high shelving. Display framed prints, books and metallic accessories or even designer shopping bags that can be displayed and used for hidden storage. As well as providing a practical out-of-the-way storage solution, this draws the eye upwards to another area of the room, highlighting the extra space.
8. Separate your space using rugs
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If your room needs to be multifunctional, you can define different areas by positioning rugs under or alongside furniture. For example, place a mini rug under the desk of the home office or a larger more comfortable rug under a sofa that needs to doubles up as a guest bed.
9. Use a professional
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Don’t think you can afford an interior designer? Think again. Design professionals – like us – now come in many forms. We offer an e-decoration service, starting at just £75 a room, where we can work with you one-on-one to help create the home of your dreams.
To find out more, visit topologyinteriors.com–
From: Harper’s BAZAAR UK
