10 tips for optimising the design of small spaces

I've been wanting to start writing blog posts for a while! It's now done with this first article where I give you some tips to arrange small spaces. 

It's true that as students or city dwellers, we find ourselves living in a small flat by choice (or not), but we have to deal with it! As bumping into furniture is no fun 😉 I'm going to share with you some tips and tricks that will surely help you to arrange your small spaces. 

First of all, it is important to know that when designing small spaces, it is essential to use every square metre. This is what we will see with these tips! 
Well, I won't keep you waiting any longer ... Here's the secret, here we go !!!!!

1 - The bed

You can live in a 120 square metre or 20 square metre house, the result will be the same, you have to manage to fit your bed in. And that's not always easy! 

You can use mezzanine beds, especially if you live in a studio! And there are some very nice ones, like this one from alinea 😍 

alinea.com on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3dVpF9a

This allows you to have a bed space on top and a space under the bed that you can arrange as you wish (desk, sofa...). 

A little more aesthetic, you have the sofa-beds! As their name indicates, they are both, sofas and beds, clever! All you have to do is unfold the sofa to have a bed and fold the bed to find your sofa. 

Same thing as mezzanine beds, there are now super beautiful sofa beds! No more simple sofa beds with old covers all out of fashion! 

sofa bed from sklum.com

Option 3, folding beds! Simply fold down your bed and it disappears! So it's true that it's not the most economical option, but it saves you a lot of space. 

"Who said there was a bed here?"

archiproducts on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/2Rid7Ro

2 - Furniture with chests

There are now many pieces of furniture with chests, storage spaces (beds, sofas, mirrors ...). They will indeed allow you to have new storage spaces. And let's face it, any storage space is welcome.

Usinestreet.fr on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3d9yQUd

3 - Think of every space, no but, really every space 

When you design your flat, use the floor space and also the ceiling space. You can use the ceiling height to create storage niches around doors or cupboards for example. 

Lauren rubin architecture on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3ak65T9

Idées canapés on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3tdoqbC
                                                                                                  

Also think about unused spaces that are useful when you want to optimise your space. 

For example, you could create a cupboard under your stairs, a study area, a bookcase or why not, a kitchen! You can also put a small piece of furniture under your sink if you don't have any furniture directly integrated. 

Editions de l'Arkhan on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3s67

4 - Small space, small furniture

Please avoid furniture that is too heavy, too big and with too imposing materials. Avoid large tables made of thick wood or iron.  

Favour thin and pure materials to enlarge your space. You can use wood, don't worry! Just don't let it look too imposing, like this one for example.  

Kave Home France on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3wLQHID

Thin, built-in furniture is also a good way to make the most of the little space left!

5 - Think small 

Small space (yes, I've repeated these words a lot) means small things! Avoid buying big hoovers, microwaves, printers... Opt for the smallest appliances possible. 

Editions de l'Arkhan on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3d8YFUh

The same goes for your decorative items! 

Try to choose a minimalist decoration, sorry maximalist fans but you will have to make concessions to give the illusion of a bigger space. 

6 - Use suitable storage

Use the back of your doors! Whether it's wardrobe doors or simply doors, you can put in storage designed for this purpose! 

Côté Maison on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/2QdDUht

Influence Immo on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3a1v4dD

You can also put this type of storage in your wardrobe or dressing room. Coat racks, shoe racks, or storage units that can be hung up will be your best friends!

 

7 - Use mirrors 

Déco moderne on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3a2H7rf

It's true, it may sound silly,  but mirrors can  make spaces look  bigger. 

So I'm not telling you to put  mirrors on every  wall  of your  flat. But mirrors placed in the  right places  will allow you to  create the  illusion of a larger  room. 

So go for an XXL mirror to create contrast  and  give a  small room  more space.

But don't forget the minimalist  decoration  around  it! to avoid  breaking the desired  effect. 

8 - Go for light colours

White reflects light and reduces shadows, as is well known! It therefore gives the illusion of a larger room. That's why it's a good idea to use light colours for the walls and furniture of your home to create a small space. Don't give up on colour, but play with shades of white, beige, grey or pale pink.

Homelisty on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3g0Lqqy

9 - Delineate your spaces 

You can use colour to create a frame around a desk area for example. "Didn't you just say that you shouldn't use colour?" Yes, I did. But in some cases, such as for studios, it is clever to paint the contours of these spaces to play on the size of the flat. 

Ideal Home on Pinterest / https://bit.ly/3wNsn9d

You'll see that your office space will look much bigger! 

10 - Separate your spaces 

You can opt for partitions or curtains to separate your spaces. Because it's true that when you live in a studio it's not very cool to eat, work and sleep in the same place. 

By separating these spaces you will see that you will have the impression to have several rooms with each one their atmosphere.

Sunshine on Pinterest https://bit.ly/322OcDC 

It is important that the light can pass through the glass or wooden panels. You don't want to break up the room, just separate the different spaces. 

Well... now you know everything! It's up to you to show me how you managed to turn your small studio into a real cosy nest! If you have any other ideas on how to make a small space, don't hesitate to send them to me! 

By Margot :)