Supersizing Small Living Spaces

Has your home started to feel a little small for your family? It happens to the best of us. The things we own gradually end up colonizing a lot of our free space, and the house which felt “just right” a few years ago can suddenly feel as tiny as a shoe closet.

Fortunately, there are some simple tricks you can try to supersize your small space. Most of these tricks are a matter of changing perspective rather than opening up more square footage. Before you try them, consider a real effort to declutter first. After you declutter, have fun and use the tactics listed below to maximize your living space.

• Lighten up the walls. Color can make the difference between breezy, cozy, and claustrophobic. Dark colors on walls make them seem smaller and denser, while lighter ones broaden your view and reflect more light. While white can be a bit harsh, there are other cheerful tones such as lemon, mint, and cornflower which can transform a space.
• Aim high. Many times, our gaze tends to lock onto the things in the way of our feet. If you have zones of heavy storage occupying square footage, look for ways to get those items off the ground. Corner shelves, hidden cabinets, and even hanging racks can do wonders for widening up narrow spaces. Hanging pictures higher up on walls can make rooms feel taller as well.
• Widen up the windows. Big curtain rods which extend beyond the border of the window can make a window seem larger, and making the move to keep them open (perhaps with sheer drapes for privacy) can let in crucial light. If you have a little renovation money, consider adding windows to rooms where less-than-ideal lighting conditions exist.
• Cast mirror magic. Amplifying light is a big theme here, so position large mirrors across from windows to create “windows” where no window can exist. Even if you don’t have a window handy, a large mirror can boost the feel of even the tiniest room.
• Demand double duty furniture. Hidden storage in large furniture can be a boon for making the most diminutive room more manageable. Take, for example, raised bed platforms with drawers built in the frame, a narrow cupboard with a garbage basket that tilts out, or foot stools and coffee tables that can hold your blankets and pillows.  Pinterest is a fantastic source for these ideas.  Simply search for “storage furniture for small spaces”.  Stand back and survey your home and look for any opportunity to hide storage in existing objects.

Hopefully these five tips will make your small house more spacious. If they still don’t make enough room for peace of mind, it might be time to consider upsizing. Prescott has a variety of housing options that I will be happy to show you.  I can also help you assess how much home you can afford, and help you determine the value of the house you’ve outgrown. Drop me a line if you’re ready for the big time! Contact me at (928) 710-9148.