You’ve finally found your first flat! But as first flats often are, it’s not really huge…? That’s no problem at all! With a little skill, you can make even small rooms look big and create space for everything you love.
Tricky furnishing
Surely you’ve heard of Tiny Houses? The inhabitants of these mobile houses voluntarily limit themselves to a living space of less than 40 square metres. Nevertheless, they also have everything they need in terms of furniture. With a few tricks, you too can make the most of small spaces and not have to do without anything.
Find the right basis
You love bright red? Nevertheless, you should go for white or beige, pastel blue or delicate shades of green for your walls. Light colours reflect light, create spaciousness and make small rooms look bigger. The floor under your feet also plays a role. Go for laminate instead of carpeting or opt for a stone floor in the trend colour light grey.
Do not separate table and bed
In keeping with its name, everything in a one-room flat takes place in one room. This means that you should combine dining room furnishings with your sleeping area and work desk. However, you should not clutter up the room so much that you can barely step. If you follow a few tips, you’ll be surprised how much furniture you can fit into just a few square metres!
Only the most important things
First of all, however, less is more. Think about what you really need. Do without a fancy sideboard for the big hi-fi system and opt instead for a TV with a wall mount. Side tables also take up space and are not absolutely essential pieces of furniture.
Multitasking is also possible with furniture
With multifunctional furniture you can kill several birds with one stone. There is a large selection to choose from. You can use an extendable table with drawers for eating and working and store pens or cutlery at the same time. If your sofa pulls out, you have a place to sit during the day and a place to sleep at night. And at times when there are no guests on your bench, you can use the flat surface as a shelf.
Use the vertical as well
Don’t just use the floor, use your four walls too! A wall shelf with a fold-out desk top gives you more space and creates a tidy look. You can pull your bookcase up to the ceiling and store everything you rarely need in the upper shelves. If you opt for a loft bed instead of a sofa bed, you can create a protected sitting area underneath.
Pay attention to the shape
Furniture with rounded corners makes rooms look cosier. They are even said to have a relaxing effect on the observer – but they are not recommended for any room. Here, you should go for practical shapes that can be placed in the corner or pushed against the wall without wasting space unnecessarily.
Choosing the right materials
Not only the type of furniture or its shape, but also materials and surface structures have an impact on visual perception. Heavy upholstered furniture with extra cushions, solid wood tables with sturdy legs or bulky cupboard walls make rooms look smaller and squatter. Instead, opt for so-called open furniture such as wall units without doors, shelves or wicker chairs. Finally, use light wood, white plastic, glass and chrome to create an airy and free atmosphere.
