LIFESTYLE NEWS - There are all sorts of different houses – from compact cottages to large sprawling farmhouses.
Photographs of a small apartment popped up on my computer. It was so stylish and so beautifully accessorised that you weren’t aware of the space limitations.
I know from personal experience that living in a small space is not all bad – there’s less to decorate, less to clean and, in fact, it’s far easier (and cheaper) to make a small space look fabulous than a large one.
However, there are a couple of guidelines that make all the difference.
• Keep the floor, ceiling and doors neutral and the colour palette simple.
Stick to two to three harmonising colours so that your room doesn’t end up looking too busy.
Or choose a scheme like yellow and grey, and within that colour palette use an abstract pattern and a floral or paisley.
Always use lots of white as a background especially if you are using a very strong colour, and tone down a hectic pattern with white or neutral cushions.
• Modular seating is the most versatile and a corner unit takes up less space than a conventional sofa and two chairs.
Choose low furniture to create the impression of height and so it doesn’t obscure sightlines across the room.
• Invest in an ottoman and use it as both seating and a coffee table.
With the addition of a stylish tray you can use it as a surface for drinks, candles and books.
