Real Estate Matters | Ideas for Small Spaces

Juliet Risdon

The reality for many people living in Macau is adapting to spaces far smaller than they are used to. In this article we explore further the idea of creative design for small spaces.

Less is more

Furnishing small spaces requires restraint, only furnishing with neccesities and avoiding pieces there that are just for show and create clutter.

Here are a few tricks used by Interior Desgners when maximizing space usage;

When choosing a sofa, look for one with legs rather than one that touches the floor. It will appear to make the room larger.

This rule also applies to kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. If you can see the floor, the area will appear larger.

Avoid using a central coffee table, and consider using side tables instead, that can be pulled out when you need them. Then the space in front of the sofa remains open, allowing easier circulation in a less cluttered environment.

Consider buying side tables that can double as stools when entertaining.

Multi purpose furniture is not limited to the living area. Think combined dryers and washers, combination microwave and convection ovens, expandable dining tables and bedside drawers instead of a table

Average cupboards, wardrobes and bookshelves are 1.8 metres tall, leaving lots of neglected space above them.

Ordering furniture 2 metres high or floor to ceiling will utlize this space, or if this is not an option, a row of attractive storage boxes on top of the wardrobe will also work.

Open shleving is a comparitively cheap solution. However, unless you’re very disciplined, open shelving can create the appearance of more rather than less clutter.

A great space saver is also to wall mount your TV so that you can use shelf space for something else.

Mirror, Mirror…

Strategically placing mirrors around the apartment reflects light and enlarges small spaces like you wouldn’t believe. A full height mirror creates the illusion of doubling the space, making the apartment feel far larger than it really is. Using reflective surfaces such as high-gloss cabinetry where possible will also brighten and enlarge small spaces.

A Unified Colour Scheme

A unified colour scheme helps to make a small room seem bigger, but its a popular misconception that white is the ideal solution for a small space.

Colour stamps an interior with individuality and it’s one of our most favored tools when rejuvenating a living space. If your stuck with “Macau Chalk White Walls”, go for a for a sophisticated neutral look by using different textures, shiny and flat, fluffy and silky etc.

Last tips

Housing visitors can cause a real headache in a small unit. One solution is to use the 2nd bedroom as a relaxation area or study during the day, switching to a bedroom in the evening.

Another way to increase sleeping space is to use a sofa that can be turned in to a bed at night.

We hope we have given you some inspiration to put some of the ideas into practice!

Juliet Risdon is a Director of JML Property and a property investor.

Having been established in 1994, JML Property offers Investment Property & Homes. It specializes in managing properties for owners and investors, and providing attractive and comfortable homes for tenants.

www.JMLProperty.com

[email protected]