Almost all of us had an idea of what our dream home would look like when we were growing up. You might have had the vision of a palace, a farmhouse, a gigantic mansion or a self-sufficient property. However, as we get older, we realise that our childhood dreams are not always realistic.
Instead of owning a mansion, we find ourselves living in a one-bedroom flat or sharing a house with others. While this can be disappointing at first, the good news is that no matter what type of property you own, you can make it not only a space you enjoy, but one that you are proud of.
In fact, research has shown that it is becoming much more desirable to own smaller properties. But why is this? There are many reasons why smaller properties are growing in popularity. Not only are they much cheaper to heat, but they also feel warmer and cosier.
As well as this, small spaces can be made to look much bigger and brighter than they actually are. If you own a small property and want to know how to make it look bigger and brighter, then here are some of our top tips to help you:
1. Let the Light In
Rooms look much brighter and larger when well-lit, either by artificial or natural lighting. So, it’s a good idea to remove any heavy drapes preventing natural light from entering the property and add more lamps into the space. If the space still feels dull after you’ve done this, and you are able, it might be an idea to install more windows into the property.
There are many different types of windows to choose from. If you have made use of your loft space but you find it quite dark, one of the best options available is a pitched roof window. All pitched roof windows are great at letting in light. However, before going down this route, it’s essential to see which pitched roof windows are suitable for your property.
It’s also worth considering replacing solid doors with glazed ones.
2. Declutter the Space
One of the best and cheapest ways to make a space look bigger and brighter than it actually is, is to declutter the property. After all, nothing makes a space feel smaller and more cramped than having too many possessions. While we’re not advising you to get rid of your keepsakes, but it is a great idea to sort through your possessions to see which ones you want to keep and which ones you no longer need.
Once you have done this, you can then work out ways to get your favourite keepsakes out of view. For example, you could put up some shelves, or you could find a cupboard to store your treasured possessions. The space will feel more open with all these things neatly put away where others can’t see them.
3. Use a Neutral Colour Scheme
Over the past few years, we’ve seen more and more people opting for bold, vibrant colour schemes in their homes. However, while these colour schemes look great in large properties, they can make smaller properties look even smaller than they are. So, it’s a good idea to stick to a neutral colour scheme in your home.
4. Don’t Add Bold Prints
Instead of adding bold prints to your furniture and walls, it’s advisable to stick to solid-coloured pieces. While bold patterns can look great in the right property, they can also make a property look smaller than it is.
5. Move Your Furniture
If furniture and accessories are blocking the view into one of your rooms, it might be time to consider moving the furniture to prevent it from looking cramped. Moving furniture away from walkways will make your space feel much larger and more welcoming to your guests.
6. Add Mirrors to Your Home
Another great tip to make any space look and feel brighter and larger is to add some reflective surfaces, such as mirrors, into your home. While many people are dubious about adding many mirrors to their home, home designers state that they are an excellent accessory choice. This is because not only do they make the room look larger, but they can also reflect light around the room.
Although most of us dreamed of owning a large home when we were younger, this vision is often unrealistic. In fact, very few people manage to achieve their dreams of owning mega-mansions. However, while this may be true, owning a property at all is something to be proud of. And the good news is that you can make any property look fantastic if you know how to. If you own a small property and want to know how to make it look bigger and brighter, then why not try out some of our ideas above?
