Top 10 Ideas to Small Space Living - Part A

This is a 2 part series about small space interior design ideas.
Check out Part B.

When you don't have much room, you need to use your creativity and get it right!

In today’s unpredictable economic climate, the need for small yet flexible spaces is becoming a necessity. Well-designed “micro-shelters” are the way of the future, where scale, light and usage are reinterpreted to prioritize function instead of grandeur.

When you are faced with the task of designing for a small space, every meter counts. So what are the best space-saving ideas for designing for a small area? We have compiled a list of our top 10 best points of advice:

No. 1 -  CHANGE YOUR WAY OF THINKING

The best way to design for a small space is to change the way you think about space. Rather than thinking in terms (such as a “bedroom” and a “kitchen”) think of spaces primarily in relation to their function, such as a “space to sleep” or a “space to eat”.

By doing so, it will break down preconceived notions of what each room should look like and instead focus your design on the fundamental needs of each space.

No. 2  -  MULTIFUNCTION/PURPOSE/THINK IN 4D

One of the best ways to design for a small space is to think in the 4^th dimension – time. Consider how each space will be used throughout the day. Can any of these functions be overlapped? For example, a dining table can form a work desk or a place to fold clothes. Also, service spaces such as the bedroom do not need to be given a lot of emphasis. Convertible items such as a Murphy Bed or futon are excellent options for utilizing bedroom space that is often wasted during the day.

Attaching wheels to items can also create indispensable pieces of furniture that are flexible and easy to move.

No. 3  -  CHOOSE A LIGHT PALETTE

Choosing a light colour palette can really make a space feel larger and more open. The colour of each room can be subtly varied to accentuate spatial differences.

When adding colour, place something near each window that picks up the colours and textures from the view outside. This will lead the eye out and expand the feel of the space.

No. 4  -  LIGHTING

Reserve the north-facing areas of you site for communal spaces. These areas will receive the most natural light.

In one project by Katsutoshi, Sasaki and Associates, areas of natural sunlight were reserved for the large common areas while single-occupancy rooms such as bedrooms received less light.

Adding lights to each corner of the room will also give the feeling that every space in the room is interesting and valuable, giving the illusion of a larger space.

No. 5  -  EXTEND ROOMS OUTSIDE

There are many functions that we do inside that could be reserved for external areas. For example, have you considered an external dining space? Eating outside is a wonderful experience that will connect your family to nature. In times of inclement weather, some bar stools around a kitchen bench or some cushions around a coffee table could form an exciting wet-weather alternative.

A roof terrace or ‘green roof’ can also provide a garden alternative to any tight urban sites that may not have room for a ground-level garden.