As land becomes a scarce resource in urban fabrics like Mumbai and Bangalore, we’ve moved to high rise buildings for housing solutions. Designing here deals with maximizing the utilization of small spaces to provide a good quality of life for its residents. Affordability is a big factor that leads people to opt for cramped tiny houses in the big city as space has become a precious commodity here. Therefore, cost-cutting with careful analysis of construction and material costs could make the quality of living better in the suburbs.
Minimalism that declutters spaces while maintaining an elegant tone has become the current mood in interior design. Maximizing the minimal is a more intentional way of living that forces people to prioritize and get rid of excess things that they do not require. Downsizing doesn’t essentially mean giving up your material possessions, you can always tuck them away in hidden nooks to achieve a decluttered space. A simple solution will be to look for well-designed and well-utilized spaces that will help u lead a simpler more decluttered life. These will come in the form of innovative storage solutions and multipurpose furniture to name a few.
Designing Small Spaces
Here are some tips for designing small independent houses:
1. Space in the air
Higher ceilings can help make a small space look more voluminous. However, in designs where there isn’t sufficient space to facilitate regular activities, this space can be utilized. Designing in these cases can be a challenging conquest as it’s a thin line between overcrowding and utilizing space.
2. Adding a Loft
Incorporating a loft into the design can also be a way of using the ceiling height beneficially. The loft can be used as a corridor, a smaller cosy space for reading or storage.
3. Bringing the outdoors in
Creating a smooth transition between outdoor and indoor spaces can help to make larger spaces without defining a singular space. The openness creates the illusion of a bigger space. Maximizing outdoor spaces is also beneficial as this gives a secondary space for gathering instead of using the living room or dining.
4. Prioritizing the view
Having a large window brings in a lot of natural lighting and this can also help to make a small space feel less restrictive. These windows tend to have a great way of improving these spaces making the view the key focus here.
Here’s how you can remodel small spaces:
1. Smart Storage solutions
Concealed storage helps you declutter your space without taking extra space. The bookshelf below staircases, tall pull-out cabinets in kitchens, coffee tables with drawers are some smart solutions that are opted for hidden storage use.
2. Lighting
Letting natural light in is a great solution to make a space feel larger and this can be done in tactical ways like providing a large narrow window in your toilets while keeping privacy. Windows will also ensure good ventilation which will ensure that space does not feel stagnant or stifling. In spaces where windows cannot be provided interior lighting is also a great solution.
3. White walls
Painting walls white in small spaces tends to make a small space brighter and helps it feel bigger as it is a colour that reflects light well. It also gives more room to your furniture in the sense that it helps it to stand out.
4. Multipurpose Furniture
This can help you ensure that overcrowding is never an issue at your home and ensures to maximize space. In recent times multipurpose furniture has become a whole rage with competitive designers working to invent new prototypes. These include murphy beds, sofas that can be converted into beds and pull-out tables to name a few.
5. Combine spaces
A studio apartment is a great example of simple living while maximizing on the minimal, with multipurpose spaces and furniture these can be made into great homes. However, the key here is to make each area distinct according to its purpose. This can be done with the flooring or by adding a slight level difference and still these spaces will give a great sense of openness.
6. Add Mirrors
Mirrors are great at creating a sense of illusion which helps to make a space feel larger than usual. This is due to the reflection that seems to imitate space and the additional reflection of light makes the room brighter making it feel airy and light. It can also be used in narrow entryways or even to hide wall storage effectively.
7. Scale of furniture
Contrary to misbelief, it is a big mistake to use small scale furniture to utilize a small space as it can make the room feel cluttered and busy. In contrast, bigger furniture can give these spaces a focal point and make them livelier and pleasant by making them seem of prime importance in this petite space.
References
TOMASULO, KATY. “8 Tips for Making Small Houses Feel Larger.” Architectmagazine.com, 2021, www.architectmagazine.com/technology/8-tips-for-making-small-houses-feel-larger_o. Accessed 7 Sept. 2021.
Hough, Georgia. “6 Ways to Get the Most out of Small Spaces – Architizer Journal.” Journal, 14 Aug. 2019, architizer.com/blog/inspiration/stories/get-the-most-out-of-small-spaces/. Accessed 7 Sept. 2021.
