Small space living doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style. Instead, it simply means that your space has to work harder, be more multifunctional and often, it means you have to be more creative in your approach to decorating.

Multipurpose furniture

Be practical with the size of furniture that can fit into a room. Today’s small apartments are not made for big three-seater sofas, high dressers, formal dining tables and large-screen TVs. This is where the value in custom-sized furniture can really pay off. Purchase furniture that does double or triple duty for storage.

Apartments are notorious for their lack of built-in amenities providing adequate storage. Purchasing multiple purpose accessories and furniture allows options that give your living space character and flexibility.

A sofa for your living room area might contain a bed for unexpected guests; tables containing drawers or shelves give you other options for storage; bookcases /almirahs with or without doors, can be appropriate for entertainment centres, home offices, kitchen storage or bedroom storage. Purchasing these items within your style is a wonderful investment and can be used for multiple purposes.

In a bathroom, pedestal sinks are often chosen for the small bath when a vanity would cramp the look of the bathroom. “Often the sink has a large unit that accommodates basic storage needs. These units increase your storage capacity in a small area. A corner shower allows for entry from the centre of the room rather than a corner, making the space more functional. Mirrors, skylights and windows help create a larger sense of space in the small bath,” suggests Mumbai-based interior expert A Dhall.

Create the illusion

“Use a soft even light and eliminate shadows which tend to slice a room up into smaller spaces. Incandescent lighting will also soften a room. Avoid ceiling lighting which visually lowers your ceiling,” suggests interior decorator and lighting expert Shyam Singhal.

Items such as large pieces of art, a floor-to-ceiling bookcase and floor-standing mirrors can add a sense of roominess to any room without taking up valuable floor space. Mirrors and shiny reflective accessories help create the illusion of more space. Mirrors are an affordable and easy way to open up a room or hallway. Place mirrors on the sides in narrow hallways to make them less claustrophobic. If you have a wall just in front of the entrance then placing a mirror here opens this up.

A cluttered space makes a room feel much smaller than it really is. If you have room, store away your least used appliances and keep the space as free as you can. In the kitchen, keep the counter tops as bare and as clean as possible. Modular units can be designed to fit small spaces. If you are the hoarder types and find it difficult to throw away things that are not useful, then it a good idea to switch over to the magazines and websites dedicated to the art of decluttering.

Small windows big impact

“One terrific way to make small windows appear larger and more dramatic is by using light-coloured panels that start well above the window and puddle onto the floor. “To enhance the width of a narrow window, specify panels significantly wider than the window and hold them open with tiebacks,” says Deepak of Deepak furnishings.

No other window treatment lends a lighter feel than sheers. They help create an airy feeling in any space. Most commonly made of lightweight fabric called voile, sheers used to be available only in plain, solid, white or ivory. Today’s sheers are available in a variety of patterns, colours and textures, and range in style from contemporary to traditional. No other treatment provides such a light filtering effect.

Colour it up

Painting walls a colour other than white can be both exciting and daunting. So start with a softer or muted shade for one room and build your confidence for other rooms. Selecting an off-white (not pastel) can be a good start. For a more dramatic effect, choose a tinted beige or grey. These colours, while neutral (beige or tan for warm looks and grey for cool), have hundreds of slight variations in the undertones which can mean more yellow, red, blue or green depending on the light and surroundings.

There is no single wall colour that is or isn’t right for the look of your home. Keeping in mind the look you want—either cool and airy, or warm and cozy—is quite enough to get started. Choose the colour that draws you most. Experiences confirm that people are most happy when using the colour they originally chose from the colour card or from an object they liked, rather than trying to apply too many design rules to their decision. If you really are torn between two or three colours, then consider buying test cans of each and trying them out.

Evergreen

Plants make beautiful additions to any room’s decor. They usher in an atmosphere of freshness to any environment and make people feel more comfortable. A well-grown and healthy indoor plant emanates a sense of peace that can soothe frayed minds. In fact, they can connect you directly with nature without your stepping out of the comforts of home.

Placing the plants in the right place is crucial. Creepers and some varieties of money plants look great on walls and around pillars or a sturdy stick or scaffolding leaning against the wall. Hanging baskets too offers a great place for plants, especially in cramped apartments. Group a number of plants in a single container for dramatic effect. Any large container, like a basket or trunk, will work. Remember, it’s best to use plants with similar light and water needs.

“Go for the evergreen plants, which ensure that your home does not look barren in the autumn and summer,” advises landscape and environment consultant, Navneeth Raghavan. Some crotons can grow in mere jars of water and can be placed on tabletops, corner shelves, or just windowsills. For a tropical paradise touch in your home and around, choose a palm of any variety. “And remember, there may be indoor plants, but they definitely need their share of the sunlight to survive,” adds Raghavan.