Ways to Integrate Open Shelving with Custom Cabinets
Some Big Ideas for Small Spaces
Small spaces generate a lot of negative adjectives, including but not limited to cramped, difficult, inaccessible, inconvenient and claustrophobic. But sometimes, these small spaces are a fact of life that you have to work through in your living situation. But all hope is not lost, for there is more than you think as far as flexibility goes in a small space. Whether it is a small kitchen or bathroom, you can create a usable and satisfying experience. This is especially important because you spend so much time in both places. Below we list some tips to help along the usability of these small spaces.
In general, lighter colors will make a room feel more open and create the illusion of a larger room. Neutrals, pastels, and white are all possibilities. Adding large vertical stripes to the walls can work nicely if you want to have a bolder color, and will also draw your eyes upwards. Painting or wallpapering the ceiling can make the small room feel larger because it also can draw your eyes upwards. A simple pattern or light color can compliment a room nicely.
And as we are talking about drawing the eye upwards, having shelves mounted from the ceiling or near the top of the ceiling will use up that unused space, create more storage, as well as bringing the eyes towards the skies.
Repeating shapes creates continuity. If the furniture in the room has an oval, arched, or square shape, hang something similar in shape on the wall to compliment it. The echoed shapes keep the room from feeling cluttered and thrown together, which is especially important in a small space. Another option for continuity is through color palettes. Having different shades of the same color make everything feel like they belong together due to its similarity, and using an unexpected or bright color as the focus draws away the size of the room from the mind, and instead the color coordination.
A great way to conserve space is hidden storage and multipurpose items! Items such as storage ottomans or a coffee table that transforms into a desk can keep the space from having too many items in it and truly being cramped. Anything that has extra compartments for storage alongside its other use is a great investment for the small space.
Leaving your windows completely uncovered will bring light into the room, brightening the space. It will also give the room more depth. If you still require privacy, blinds or shades instead of curtains will make the space less crowded.