I often receive enquiries from readers, young and old, asking about decorating a bedsitter or shoebox-size single room apartment. While decorating a small space might have its limitations, with clever planning and by making use of available resources, there is no reason why a small flat can’t look just as good as a large one.
A storage ottoman or bench can be used for seating or as a table to hide away all your DVDs, CDs, magazines or books.The fact is that it doesn’t matter how large or small the space is, once you add your own unique style or personality, you can create a comfortable, aesthetically appealing home.
This article deals with decorating a small flat or single room apartment, and how you can make this more of a home than just a place to live.
Clean up and store
The first step in designing your one-room apartment is to declutter the space. If you are designing a new single room, perhaps a small cottage or converting a garage into a home, make sure that you allow for plenty of storage space. It might be small, but you still have lots of possessions.
Beds with pull-out drawers or storage compartments take up the same amount of floor space and offer loads of storage space for blankets, bed lining, clothes or personal items. Add a storage headboard and you have even more storage for books, toiletries and small personal appliances.
Wall space is so often ignored, yet this is one area that can be used very effectively.A storage ottoman or bench can be used for seating or as a table to hide away all your DVDs, CDs, magazines or books.
Room dividers can be used to break up an open space and section off areas while providing ample storage space.
With the clutter sorted and stored, you can create a focus point in your one-room apartment.
Utilise available space
When planning or designing a single room flat, make use of every single bit of space, both on the floor and up the walls.
Wall space is so often ignored, yet this is one area that can be used very effectively.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinets take up limited floor space and offer loads of storage options. Pack often-used items on the lower level and leave the top half of the cabinets for items that you don’t use so often, such as seasonal blankets and bed linen.
A one-room designed without adding personal touches is a bland and impersonal space; it's a blank canvas waiting for the artist to create a masterpiece with colour, texture and interest.The personal touch
A one-room designed without adding personal touches is a bland and impersonal space; it's a blank canvas waiting for the artist to create a masterpiece with colour, texture and interest.
Just because it's small doesn't mean that you can't inject colour with paint or accessories.
Window treatments
Opt for blinds or louvres that allow in plenty of natural light and can be closed up when privacy is required. Or choose light sheers as opposed to heavy drapes. Small details like window treatments make all the difference between a space that feels claustrophobic and confined and one that is open and airy.
Flooring options
Where natural light is limited, select a light flooring that will refresh and enhance the amount of natural light there is and visually enlarge the room.In a flat with large expanses of windows, dark flooring won't make that much of a difference, but in a space with small windows, dark flooring will only serve to make the place appear smaller and gloomy. Where natural light is limited, select a light flooring that will refresh and enhance the amount of natural light there is and visually enlarge the room.
Selecting furniture
While dual-purpose furniture is the best choice, it isn't always available in a variety of styles. If you can go the DIY route, you will be able to make furniture that suits your needs.
If you are simply moving your existing furniture into a smaller space, consider how the pieces can be modified to complement your new home, for example, dark wood furniture can be painted in lighter colours and upholstered pieces can be slipcovered or reupholstered.
Using mirrors
Use mirrors wherever you can to create the illusion of space and light as these reflect natural light into a room. A mirrored closet will create the illusion of width or length in an otherwise cramped-looking space.
When shopping for furniture, you don't have to settle for less, it's more a case of shopping wisely, choosing styles that match, furniture that fits and colours that enhance.
Accessorise
No flat is finished without personal touches. This can be wall art, a collection of framed photos, collectibles or accessories. This is where your individual style comes into play and adds personality.
Think about using a small tablescape to add interest and a splash of colour for that wow factor. - Janice Anderssen
Article courtesy of www.home-dzine.co.za.
