In the case of small apartments, the thoughtfulness of the design should always go first. The choice of colours, arrangement solutions, furniture, and accessories can influence the way you perceive and feel in the small space. The appropriate usage of particular shades can do magic in your interiors, making it look and feel more spacious than it really is.
There are various tricks you may try out to increase the functionality of your small apartment and improve its looks. On the list below, you'll find painting and decorating solutions used by Ignas team members in their everyday practice. Most of them do not require investments or professional skills.
#1 Use bright colours
Let's start with the simplest ways to make your apartment look more spacious. The bright colours create an optical illusion, enhancing the impression of spaciousness. That's why they should dominate in your space. White, beige, cream - you should base your interior design on their foundation.
That doesn't mean, however, that you should stay away from darker shades under any circumstances. There are many beautiful and trendy colours out there that make the interiors look spectacular - like, for instance, navy blue or bottle green. If you plan the distribution of colours thoughtfully, you may risk introducing the darker shades to your space - but only on one or two walls. Just make sure they are placed on the sunny side of the room to maintain some balance.
#2 Keep the space open or divide it with glass
The common problem with the arrangement of small interiors lies in distinguishing the different spaces without interrupting the natural flow of the light. Putting the partition to divide the relax, working, and eating zones may be helpful, but it enhances the sense of claustrophobic size. To avoid that, you can choose glass-based solutions. They divide the space without blocking the natural light and give the interiors some nice, loft-like touch.
#3 Introduce mirrors to your space
That's the most effective way to create an optical illusion of spaciousness. Place it on the walls but also on the ceiling to enhance the overall effect. The way you distribute the mirrors really matters. The most beneficial would be to hang it in front of the window. This way, you make the space feel larger and let more light in due to the reflection. At the same time, you make the room a prolongation of nature, especially if you have a little garden on your balcony.
Mirrors can become a tool for making the apartment look less claustrophobic but remember that it's also a beautiful accessory. You'll find variants in different shapes and frames, including the trendy golden ones.
#4 Let the nature in
How would introducing plants to your interiors influence its spaciousness? Well, it's just another magic trick with some illusion involved. Letting nature in allows enhancing the effect achieved by introducing mirrors that face the windows and balcony doors. It sustains a natural flow between interiors and exteriors.
To make that work, you'll need to buy some plants - the more, the better! Remember to choose those who feel good in the interior conditions and distribute them accordingly to their needs (light, temperature, humidity - take all aspects into consideration). You can put them on the floor, on the furniture, but also hang them. A beautiful way to make your space greener is by introducing some kokedama plants. They grow in natural bowls made with a special kind of soil covered with moss.
#5 Unify the floor style
Choosing a bright floor to cover the whole apartment will make it look more spacious. You don't have to stick to bright wood - a trendy choice would be, for instance, a bright terrazzo.
#6 Choose appropriate patterns
Most patterns may not work in your favour - but there are some that do real magic! The best example is the pattern of vertical stripes. If your problem is low ceilings, choose it to create an optical illusion of taller walls.
Incorporating all these solutions can make your apartment feel really spacious. To make the best out of it, make sure to cooperate with professional painters and decorators.
