Downsizing in Design - Smaller Spaces Can Open Up Design Options
A shift toward smaller spaces is happening. Many people, especially those over the age of 55, are downsizing. The tiny home and container home phenomenon is ever-growing. And don’t forget about the van life movement.
While there are many benefits to living in a small space, there are also concerns. One is that many people think you don’t have as much design flexibility in a smaller home. But this just isn’t true.
Moving into a smaller living space doesn’t mean you have to compromise on design. Here’s how you can design small spaces for function and style.
Photo by Max Rahubovskiy
Cover the Logistics First
Downsizing doesn’t exactly happen overnight. There is often a lot of planning involved with downsizing, especially if you want the space to be practical and usable. The key is to cover the logistics and plan your design first. In this step, visualize the space around you. What is each room for? What colors, patterns, and textures do you want to use? How can you make the space functional?
It’s also a good idea to take measurements to ensure you’re purchasing things that are the right size for your space. Get all of the design details down on paper or digitally documented to ensure you have a blueprint to reference when you’re ready to start realizing your vision.
After that point, you can focus on the move and some of the necessary evils involved. You can’t keep everything. Take time to get rid of the things you don’t need by recycling, selling, or donating them.
This makes for a smaller move, saving you money on moving trucks and other associated costs. You should also enlist the help of those around you — whether it’s friends, family, or coworkers.
Try These Design Ideas for Small Spaces
Even though they’re small, there’s a whole lot you can do with these spaces. As you fill in the details of your design plans, consider these ideas and strategies to amp up your undersized rooms.
Make every room multipurpose
When you have a large home you have the luxury of each room serving a single purpose. But with small spaces, you’ll need most rooms to serve at least two purposes to maximize their efficiency.
For example, you could have a second bedroom that doubles as an office. Your closet could also be a functional vanity. You could have a workout space in your bedroom. And your living room could also be your playroom.
Making multi-purpose rooms possible depends on the furniture, accessories, and layout you use. Determine the purposes you want each space to serve and incorporate what makes them possible.
Embrace multi-purpose furniture too
Like multi-purpose rooms, multi-purpose furniture serves more than one purpose. For example, a 3-in-1 convertible chair can be a chair, bed, or recliner. A daybed can be a couch and a bed. A storage bench can offer storage space and extra seating.
Embracing multi-purpose furniture can help make your small space that much more functional. Katie Couric offers a list of 14 of the best multi-functional furniture pieces. Some of the most notable pieces on this list include a row shoe storage cabinet, a drop leaf table, and a loft bed with shelves.
Live by small space storage solutions
You probably need more ways to store items in small spaces than you do in larger ones. This is because if you don’t have a place for everything, your space can become cluttered quickly. This impacts your ability to be comfortable in your small space. It also makes style and functionality nearly impossible.
Moreover, additional storage allows you to keep more of the things you love. For instance, hidden storage compartments can house family heirlooms, like jewelry and dishware, safely and keep them in good condition.
Or, you can store winter clothes in the summer and vice versa in vacuum-sealed bags in storage ottomans. The storage solutions you use depend on your needs and the space. Using the back of doors, creating functional displays, and using baskets to drop clutter seem simple, yet practical enough.
Implement creative lighting
Lighting can be a powerful element in making your small spaces look bigger than they are. With the right lighting, small spaces can look roomy and cozy at the same time. Mixing up your lighting solutions is the best way to go.
Instead of relying on a lamp or two, hang ceiling lights that give you the light you need without crowding the room. You could opt for LED lights that fit perfectly in small spaces like drawers and bookcases to make the room appear bigger. Or try string lights to give your space that whimsical feel.
Creative lighting could be all you need to open up your small space.
Conclusion
Creative design ideas and strategies that support functionality and aesthetics in small spaces are everywhere. Interior designers and industry leaders will continue to unveil design concepts and techniques as the shift toward small spaces continues. Use our shortlist as a starting point for designing your small space with function and style in mind.
Author: Miles Oliver
Cover image by R ARCHITECTURE on Unsplash
