How to utilize small living space

Lots of people live in small homes or small rooms or even just small spaces. Some people live in these small apartments because that is all they can afford but, they try to make the best of it. Others stay in small homes because they are simply tired of large spaces and want to take it down a notch. And others probably do not want a large home. Smaller places are easier to maintain and are very practical too. De-clutter Nothing makes a small space feel more cramped than having too much stuff. It really isn’t necessary to hold onto every single thing even when not required. It really isn’t necessary either, to leave a room looking like a toddler just visited. In small spaces, every dirty dish left on the counter, every pile of bills you set on a tabletop, becomes—proportionally—a big mess. Unlike in a large house, this clutter is right there in your face. The best way to stop clutter from building up is to clean as you go. Put things away as soon as you are done using them. Throw things away as soon it is confirmed that they will not be used or, find someone who might put it to better use. Also, create a (small) space for things to be donated and recycled and clear it out as soon as it gets full. Limit storage space and “junk” drawers so that the opportunity to just toss clutter in a closet and forget about it doesn’t present itself. There are enough charities that will be more than willing to accept second-hand but re-usable items including clothes, furniture, books and so much more. Try not to own a lot of stuff. If life can go on without something then live life without it. Do not underestimate how much storage is needed. That is the biggest mistake anyone can make. Just like money, you can never have too much storage! It is imperative that items be put away as neatly as possible because that will allow everything to fit and not feel cramped as opposed to shoving everything in carelessly. It does not have to be neat as a picture, but at least let it be organized. The more organized you are, the more space you get. With things neatly arranged and out of sight, the space that is in view will feel orderly and open. Colour Dark colours do make a place feel cozy and intimate but bright colors make small places seem more spacious and airy. If you like to experience with colours, you could try a buttercup yellow, lavender or even aqua. The latter gives you some sense of being at the ocean and what better way to not feel cramped than being at the ocean? Choose colours that are in the same colour family and use tone-on-tone woven upholstery fabrics and textured wall finishes. Cool colours and flimsy warm colours on most surfaces give the room a more open look. Having drapes over the windows will do nothing but make the room look jam-packed. Letting the light stream in by opening windows and curtains will surely give the place a more tranquil feeling. A mirrored wall might not sound very attractive to some people, but we have to admit that it always makes a room look larger. Instead, use a large framed mirror on a wall or stand an over-sized framed mirror against a wall. It works like a charm. Furniture Furniture should be limited as well. What nobody wants is pieces of furniture every where. Believe it or not the bigger the furniture, the better. Instead of buying small pieces of furniture and setting them all over the place, buy large furniture that can carry a lot of other items that are lying around. Use multi-function furniture like a chest that can be used as a coffee table or a sofa that can be used as a bed at night. Use an extendable dining table or folding tables which can be tucked away when you do not need them. Any space that can be retrieved when the furniture is not in use is remarkable. Remember to place large pieces of furniture against the wall so that the open space in the middle is not broken up. Try not to block walking pathways either because nothing spoils a place than having no where to move. If the furniture in your room is tall, that might be making it seem as though the ceiling is lower than it actually is. Try and ensure that your furniture is not threatening to pierce through the roof. Additionally, do not torture the walls with lots of pictures or paintings. Some people find it necessary to hang every picture of theirs on the wall from when they took their first step to the day they said ‘I do’! If there are too many of them they will all be clamoring for attention and therefore make the room seem busy and crowded. Some might think this is just all the head but it literally feels that way. No matter which way you do it, these simple steps will help make small spaces that did not seem to exist, spacious. It is not about living in mansions or castles; it is about utilizing space and keeping your own little paradise as pretty as it ought to be. rachelgaruka@yahoo.co.uk