Small space solutions for every room
The first topic she talks about is opening up space. She advises that if possible, it is a good idea to knock down a wall to create a through room, or if this is not possible, to create a small opening in a wall through to another room, to create the illusion of a bigger space, 'making both areas feel less constricted'.
In my design, this would not be possible for the bedroom and the bathroom because they are both spaces that need to keep privacy in them, but I can use this idea for the kitchen. So that the kitchen doesn't feel as small, I could take away the door between the kitchen and the dining room, creating the illusion of more space by the two rooms being joined. It would also allow more light to flow through the rooms.
The second topic discussed is about creating storage in wasted space. She suggests boxing in the space under stairs to create places to store toys and books and items that are not used very often, particularly if there is not enough space for a bookcase or other similar furnishings.
Instead of creating draws in the spaces under the stairs, I have had an idea of creating a drawer unit for the kitchen to be placed in the cupboard under the staircase. It would use less space in the kitchen because the draws would be flush with the wall, and it would be set back into the space in the cupboard which would otherwise be wasted.
Next she talks about creating the illusion of extra space in the room by creating vertical lines that make the ceiling appear higher. Not only this, but soft pastel colours create this illusion too. Floor to ceiling curtains are a good example of vertical lines, as well as a painting above a fire mantel piece. Landscape paintings can create the illusion of a window overlooking an outdoor space.
A good way of creating the illusion of extra space in my designs, particularly in the kitchen is to use fixed wall cupboards above the kitchen units to add extra height and draw the eye upwards. A tall standing cupboard could also do the same trick.
Another trick to enlarge a smaller room is to have big windows, as they connect the outside to the inside creating the illusion of a bigger space. If there isn't a big window, a good way to create the same idea is by having little window treatment, for example leaving the window bare, or if more privacy is needed simple curtains or a light blind that can be pulled away in the daytime. Blinds the same colour as the walls work well as they blend together, particularly whites and creams as they make a room appear more spacious.
Neither the bathroom or the kitchen have big windows, so I will need to choose the window treatment carefully to help make the rooms feel bigger. In the bathroom, my client is taking her curtains with her from the old house, but fortunately the curtains are thin and lightweight and will let plenty of light through into the room when pulled, allowing privacy too. In the kitchen, there is a window with a door next to it which the top half is made of glass. This allows more light into the room, and I can use a pale coloured blind that is similar to the colour of the walls.
Lastly, white and cream interiors create a more spacious feel to the room, 'allowing the eye to roam freely over surfaces, stopping only at points of contrast'. The light colours bounce light around the space while colour accents anchor it.
When considering the colours for the rooms in my designs, I will opt for lighter hues to allow light to pass freely around the room and create a more spacious feeling. I can add colour accents to the room, but I will keep the walls and flooring paler.
Bibliography
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/small-spaces/strategies/space-solution-every-room (viewed 12th October 2011)
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