So, you haven’t got much space? Let’s quickly address the elephant in the room because it is quite cramped. In a situation like that, it is very easy to abandon the concept of a dream home altogether. All the furniture and fixtures you have in mind that would give the homes on ‘Top Billing’ a run for their money… have no place to go. Fear not, for there are several ways you can get the most out of your small space.
For starters, you can swap out conventional furniture for nifty, clever furniture solutions. You will not have to sacrifice tastefulness, beauty and functionality– it’s the day-to-day items we need but they take up much less space. You can also opt for adaptable layouts that help you maximise your space.
- Wall beds
Wall beds are designed to be vertically stored against a wall or within a cabinet when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space. The conventional design consists of a bed frame and mattress that can be folded up and concealed behind a hinged cabinet or frame. When installed correctly and intentionally, they blend into the room’s décor and at first glance you would think it is just a storage cabinet. There were fear mongers in the past questioning the safety of wall beds but rest assured –pun intended – they are safe to use. Traditionally, bunk beds are a great example of beds that make efficient use of space. They save up space as compared to each kid having their own bed in the room.
- Multifunctional Furniture
We all know the adage “A jack of all trades is a master of none,” what if I were to tell you that that is not the full quote? William Shakespeare meant to say “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of none.” In a compact living space, it is ideal to have a furniture piece that serves several functions and is a “jack of all trades”. You need to be on the lookout for multifunctional furniture. Your bed could serve as a sofa or you can invest in sleeper couches that transform from a couch to a bed. This is ideal for short stay visitors if you do not have a guest bedroom. You can invest in ottoman-style furniture that could double as a storage unit, footrest, extra seating, or a coffee table.
- Hidden Storage
When making room for your big dreams in your small living space take advantage of every nook and cranny you can find. Incorporate storage into unexpected places, like under beds, stairs, or within furniture frames. Imagine how much storage space the base of your bed can provide? There are beds available on the market that lift up the mattress for much-needed storage space which can be used for extra bed linen, clothing or anything else really. This is especially ideal for homes that do not have built in cupboards or wardrobes.
- Movable Walls
As paradoxical as it sounds, movable walls are the cornerstone of a small living area. Walls made of brick and mortar do not offer any flexibility. Movable walls allow you to adjust the function of a room or space with ease to match your changing needs. An added benefit is that movable walls can also be customised to match the décor, so you do not have to worry about them being an eyesore. You can also make use of movable wall dividers to partition rooms. For example, you can use Chinese folding walls sometimes called a folding shoji screen. Shoji screens are usually tri-fold walls. A shoji screen may also be used to section off part of a bedroom or family room as an office.
- Make use of Vertical Space
They say that the sky is the limit, when space is a constraint, the ceiling is the limit. Make use of vertical space to make sure you leave as much room as possible on the floor. Shelves too high to reach? An ottoman or a stool (that you can place under your table when you’re done with it) should do the trick!
Wall-mounted storage is another great option when you have a smaller living space. Hooks, shelves which are popularly referred to as “floating shelves” and wall organisers are very handy for placing kitchen utensils, toiletries and office supplies. Again, they help you keep the floor clear and you can be sure to invite your friends to play Twister.
Another interesting concept that illustrates the use of vertical space are vertical gardens. WestProp’s Millennium Heights apartments have vertical gardens which allow residents with green fingers to pursue their hobby with more than enough space. As an added bonus, vertical gardens add an extra layer of insulation to your home, cooling down the interior temperature. The decrease in air temperature could result in savings on your electricity bills.
- Optical illusion
Sometimes, it is really about perspective. Be mindful of how you go about decorating your home. When you have multiple small pieces of art on the wall, this makes the room appear more cramped as opposed to having one or two large pictures which serve as the focal point and give the illusion of longer walls. Consider having longer curtains and keeping the colour palette light.
Compact spaces do not have to be all doom and gloom, if you are really big on aesthetics you can search for inspiration on apps like Pinterest and see how other people have designed their living spaces. We also live in a global village; you can import some of the nifty gadgets and furniture from sites like Amazon and there are also many local talented and skillful artisans who can fabricate the furniture you would require for your dream home. Making the most of a small space is no small feat but it is quite rewarding, because home is ultimately where the heart is.
Compact spaces such as Millennium Heights’ studio apartments are ideal for use as short stay accommodation such as an Airbnb. In order to secure more clients booking the space, you need to maximise on multifunctional living so that you can offer them a premium luxury experience. This can only be achieved by catering to their diverse needs and preferences. Spaces optimised for multifunctional living will be more desirable to a wider range of short stay accommodation seekers.
