Langley Real Estate

Short on square footage? Don't despair. Follow this advice for maximizing a minimal space.

Small Space Dos
You don't have to live in a palace-size place to reap the benefits of good design. In fact, smart space-stretching ideas, from room-expanding paint treatments to efficient ways for displaying treasures. Here, are some design dos and don'ts for those of you who have more style than space.

DO Start at the ceiling. Hang window treatments from the highest possible point on the wall (just under the crown molding). Hanging the curtains high lets the fabric flow freely and tugs the eye upward.

DO Include built-ins. They take up almost no floor space but yield plenty of much-needed storage -- both perfect characteristics for a small house. Assign double duties to a built-in bookcase in any room: It not only holds books and display items but can also serve as a mini-bar.

DO Reflect on the situation. Mirrors and panes of glass act as room expanders when strategically placed to reflect something pretty. A small mirror next to the built-in bookcase in doubles the number of pretty glasses in view. Add glaze to paint so the walls reflect the limited light.

DO Open rooms to each other. Though it's important to clearly define separate spaces, some openness between adjoining rooms makes all of them feel bigger. Kitchen's tend to be cut off completely by the dining room, but you can create a large pass-through that connects the two spaces together. In a similar way, you can supply French doors between rooms, which will allow the two rooms to share the same light and views.

DO Define different spaces subtly. Separate one room from another without choosing completely different wall colors or flooring. A checkerboard pattern in slate blue on the floor of the adjoining room looks like an area rug without being bulky.

DO Give each room its own treatment. To differentiate rooms, use a painting technique for the walls of the adjoining room. Although the tones are similar (and therefore unifying), the texture in each space is unique.

DO Opt for light colors. One law of color is that pale tones advance, thus expanding a room, while dark colors recede and shrink a space.

DO Draw the eye upward. This creates the illusion of more volume, which makes up for a lack of square footage. Crown molding, painted crisp white, defines the ceiling; striped wallpaper also stretches the height of the walls. Use a special treatment on the walls: A chair rail, set about two-thirds of the way up the wall, caps pieces of trim that run vertically to the floor.

DO Keep flooring continuous. Maintaining the same flooring material throughout the house imparts a sense of continuity; the eye does not jump from one room to the next but rather wanders easily between the spaces.

DO Invite the sunshine inside. Large windows usher in sunlight to bounce off the walls and brighten even the dreariest room. In an area that requires privacy, such as a bath or bedroom, put up window treatments that can be adjusted easily to let the sun pour in.

DO Stretch your space into the outdoors. A patio, deck, or screen porch, goes a long way toward increasing usable space -- without the expense of adding on. A porch provides all the comforts of an interior room, including screens to keep the bugs at bay, an awning to protect against harsh sun, and cozy, welcoming furnishings that invite lounging.

Small Space Don'ts

DON'T Be afraid of large-scale furniture. Use a few dramatic pieces, such as the large, painted, country-style hutches in the living and dining rooms. They add necessary storage and serve as focal points to keep each room from feeling too minimal.

DON'T Clutter up the house. There's a famous saying, "Sometimes, less is more", This can be very true when it comes to your space.  You don't want rooms to be crowded, and pieces that work hard are especially important in a small space. When you think you have pared down enough, eliminate more.

DON'T Overwhelm with a lot of patterns. You want your home to be peaceful and serene, choose a quiet palette.

DON'T Forget the ceiling. It's a room's fifth wall. Gain volume by treating the ceiling the same way as the walls; Continued the paint colour or technique onto the ceiling.

DON'T Leave out architectural detailing. Not reserved for only ornate areas, accents such as molding and wainscoting are simple ways to define and dress up a small space.

DON'T Buy furniture just to buy furniture. Figure out how much seating you need for the number of people in your household and the number you typically entertain, and buy enough furniture to suit that amount. Otherwise, you end up with a cramped space that's not comfortable.

DON'T MESS with fussy window treatments. Fabric that overwhelms with pattern will draw attention to itself and away from a carefully thought-out room design. Choose simple treatments that filter the sun and provide privacy from the neighbors while blending with your furnishings.

DON'T Waste an inch of space. Even the closets should work hard. Install extra closet shelving for storing shoes and other necessities. Sort through your possessions every now and again to keep clutter to a minimum.

DON'T Feel limited by a small yard. Strive to have a yard that offers seating, plants, and a small pond

The Schacter Team - Langley Real Estate