Explain It Like I'm 5: How To Decorate A Small Space & Make It Appear Bigger

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We spoke to Drishty Vaswani from Sand Stories, who recently took up the interior design project for a 1BHK in Delhi, and made it look expansive. Naturally, the stunning decor of the place piqued our interest, and we got in touch with her to find out what led the ideas of the team behind it, and how we can make our compact living spaces appear bigger. She came through, and here are some of her best tips!

Choose Neutral Colours

While this may seem obvious, it is very easy to get carried away while decorating your home, and one can't hold back from wanting to have that Wake Up Sid-esque yellow wall. Drishty's top tip is to stick to neutrals such as warm white, eggshell, and beige colours. These colours bounce off light well, and don't eat into the size of the space.

If you're very keen on having colours in your space, an accent wall that is a pastel shade or textured is what she advises.

Pick Multi-functional Furniture

Cochin Rattan Storage Bench

Cochin Rattan Storage Bench

44500

Storage space is always an issue in desi households, especially those of us who have a tough time letting go of that pair of sneakers we promised ourselves we would wear too many times, or that third steam iron just in case the other two break down simultaneously. The best way to go about this, Drishty suggests, is to have a closet that goes up to the ceiling for those extra shelves (which wasn't possible in this space because the ceiling was tilted, but works well for regular style ones). Other options are to have a bed with boxes and an ottoman that works as both seating and storage. Getting as much out of your furniture as possible is key to having a functional small space.

Picking The Right Accessories

Side Table, Acacia

Side Table, Acacia

3490

Your accessories and furniture should also be of basic and neutral tones if you wish for your space to appear big enough. However, that doesn't mean it has to be boring, they can always be textured and made of cane or rattan.

Tables Are Top

Roswell Free Standing Solid Wood Study Table

Roswell Free Standing Solid Wood Study Table

11164

Another important aspect is a good table. A sleek table that can double as a dresser, with a chair that can be folded away is a win-win. Check out multi-functional tables here.

Play With The Natural Light

Minimalist Full Length Oval Wall Mirror

Minimalist Full Length Oval Wall Mirror

3510

Anyone could tell you that lots of mirrors make a room look bigger, but it is imperative to place them right. The mirrors should be kept opposite to the main light source (even better if natural) in the room, so that the light bounces off and makes it appear brighter, and hence, bigger.

Furnitures And Carpets Change The Game

Antique White & Light Turquoise Rug

Antique White & Light Turquoise Rug

80000

Picking furniture that doesn't appear bulky, and is raised off the floor is a good choice for compact living spaces. It is also important to create a balance — if the sofa is bulky, then a good idea is to go with sleek chairs or a bench to finish it up. Picking the right carpet is also very important. One that goes under all of the furniture in your living space gives it a cosy look, as opposed to smaller and patchily set ones, which make a space appear cluttered.

What would you like to see on this series next? Tell us in the comments!