BUDGET-FRIENDLY TIPS FOR DECORATING SMALL SPACES

A small apartment or home may seem limiting when it comes to decorating, but there’s no shortage of smart design ideas around.

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Here are our top five budget-friendly tips for sprucing up a petite living space for maximum effect and enjoyment.



1. MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL
Hanging a mirror is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to make a room appear larger. The reflection of light and space will trick the eye into believing it’s a larger area. If your mirror can be placed so that it reflects a garden outside, even better.



2. COLOUR ME PRETTY
Use colour cleverly to get the most out of your space. White ceilings create a sense of extra height and space while monochrome walls look more continuous and thus larger. If you want to use a dark colour, limit yourself to a striking hue on just one wall. Go for gloss paint instead of matte for a little shine that brightens walls.



3. DOUBLE DUTY

When outfitting a small space, any multipurpose item is a winner. Multifunctional items, like a coffee table with built-in storage or a pull-out sofa, provide you with more options without taking up more space. Similarly, it is a great idea to have as much built-in shelving installed as possible, which can serve as storage or display surfaces.



4. DIVIDE AND CONQUER
Carpets, sheer curtains, room dividers and shelving can all be used to great effect to demarcate a space. By breaking one space into two or more areas, you create the illusion of more rooms.

5. GO BIG OR GO HOME
You might think small pieces of furniture work better in small spaces, but in fact the opposite is true – larger pieces just need to be placed correctly to give a sense of more space. Move your largest items to the perimeter of the room, but not right up against the wall – leave a little breathing room to create a sense of depth that will add to the feeling of space. Also remember, when choosing a rug, go for the largest one possible; it will anchor the space whereas a small rug will break up the floor space, making it appear smaller.

Related article: Spruce up your home with Jet

DOS AND DON’TS FOR DECORATING A SMALL SPACE

DO:

• Utilise nooks and crannies. Odd corners and the space underneath a staircase, for instance, can be turned into valuable storage areas.
• Opt for a corner unit if shopping for a new sofa to get the most use out of the available space.
• Make use of vertical space. Create a gallery wall (a wall of pictures, photographs or any other visuals) that extends to the ceiling to draw the eye upwards and create the illusion of more space.

DON’T:

• Block any natural light from flowing into the room. The more light, the brighter and more spacious any room will appear, no matter its size.
• Clutter surfaces. Pack away any unnecessary items that might make a room appear overcrowded.
• Use wallpaper or fabric with a small-print pattern. A tiny print will make the mind think ‘small’. Large, bold prints have the opposite effect and add some attitude to even the smallest of spaces.