Renovating a Small Living Area

Research has shown that homes in Australia and New Zealand have decreased in size over time. In fact, house size has hit an all-time low in 22 years. The main reason for this is that more apartment buildings are on the rise, which means that floor space will be less than a traditional stand-alone home.

First-time homeowners will usually take up homes with smaller spaces as they continue to work towards that dream home in the suburbs. When purchasing or renting a home, it should be livable for you and those living with you.

It is usually perceived that a home with smaller spaces is hard to decorate. There are living room hacks that homeowners or renters can take advantage of to not only renovate but also decorate and make the most of the space available.

Use Very Dark or Very Light Colors

When painting a small living area, make use of very dark or very light colours. These will give the room depth and the illusion of being bigger. For example, have very bright walls and rather dark furnishings or vice versa. This also allows you to play with the design of the living area and make it welcoming for visitors as well.

Make Use of Multi-functional Furniture and Hidden Storage

Storage furniture tends to take up a lot of space, which can make a small living area seem cluttered. Buy or order multi-functional furniture. A table can double up as a chest for storing books and other items. You can also make use of furniture that can be stored one inside the other, like ottomans with smaller boxes or storage areas that can be placed inside it. In addition, you can choose a smaller chest of drawers instead of a bulky cabinet.

Use Wallpaper and Mirrors

Mirrors in a small living area placed on less-lit walls facing the windows will give the area a larger-than-life look. Using wallpaper will also make the room look exciting and bright enough as opposed to having plain walls.

Select Suitably-Sized Furniture

Having a large or full sofa will make a small living area look cluttered. Consider going for stand-alone armchairs or an L-couch that will give the illusion that the area has a lot of space.

Furniture with skirts (the cloth covering the leg area) can make the room seem stuffy. Go for furniture with exposed legs to show more floor space.

Make use of Large Decorative Pieces

Artwork gives a living area some spice. The same goes for decorative pieces like vases and porcelain items. Instead of using many smaller art pieces, go for one large piece and place it at the centre of the wall. In addition, select larger decorations to place in the room to make it look bigger.

Declutter Frequently

There are items in a home that are usually of sentimental value, and we may be tempted to hold on to them. In a small living area, it’s important to keep the space as clutter-free as possible. Make sure that every item has its own designated spot.

To ensure that clutter does not overtake the living area space, think about de-cluttering regularly. For example, choose to de-clutter every 3 or 6 months and store what is not needed in the living area elsewhere. Choosing to get rid of what is not needed in the living area gives you the opportunity to renovate and redecorate.

Use Ceiling-to-Floor Curtains

There is something visually appealing about ceiling-to-floor curtains. Consider going for solid colours with attractive furnishings. This gives the room a larger look and doesn’t make the windows look busy.

Mount Electronics on the Wall

One of the furniture pieces that can take up space in a small living area is an electronics stand. Consider mounting electronics such as TV or DVD players and satellite consoles.

When purchasing a home theatre system, go for low-profile soundbars or vertical stand designs that will fit along the wall without taking up too much space.

Tips to Decorate and Renovate a Small Living Area

There are a few tips to follow in order to make that small living area work for you.

• Keep the colours and designs of your living area simple. Keep this in mind also when choosing wallpaper and other decorative pieces.
• Rugs can also be used to define a small living area. They can be placed just in front of the L-seater or at the centre of your armchairs. If the living area has a dining space, use the rug under the dining table to give the room the illusion of more space.
• Use adjustable furniture if available. A sofa bed can be an option for a small living area, which means a guest will have somewhere to sleep for the night. You can also use adjustable tables that can be expanded or decreased in size. This can transform even a small space into one much more versatile than it first seems.
• Make use of plants. These can be placed in corners of the room or beside or behind a sofa. Plants placed especially at corners give the room the illusion of being larger than it actually is.
• A high ceiling can also make the room seem bigger. If possible, renovate a living area to have a higher ceiling and even have some artwork hung or painted on the ceiling. Who will pay attention to the size of the living area when you are all busy admiring the ceiling?
• Choose the right lighting. When choosing a single lighting fixture, let it be something dramatic and artistic. When looking for functional lighting, have many lamps all around the room as opposed to one plain fixture in the middle of the ceiling.
• Take the time to shop around for furniture for your small living area. One of the ways that you can get desired pieces is to visit a carpenter who can create something that suits your space. They will be able to visit the living area and measure accordingly.
• When in doubt, call in the professionals. Look for a renowned renovator or decorator who can make the small living area work for you. Use a website like ServiceSeeking.com.au to easily and quickly compare several quotes for a job.