Make the Most of Your Space

Are you making the most of your living space at home? Even a one bedroom apartment can be big enough, if you plan it right. Here are some quick tips to make your home look larger, more spacious, and beautiful.

'Creating' Space

Make good use of full-length mirrors. They give an illusion of space.
Paint the room using pastel shades, to make it look larger and brighter.
Paint one wall a different colour than the others. This gives a feeling of depth to the room.
Use low-lying furniture.

THROW OUT anything you don't require. The problem is that every time you decide to throw out something, you stop yourself thinking that you just might need it in the future. A good rule of thumb to apply here is to pick up and object and ask yourself, 'Have I used it in the last three years', or 'have I worn it in the last three years'? If the answer is a resounding "NO!" you know what you have to do. Bin it!

Refrigerator

The same rule applies to your eatables. Don't just store stuff endlessly in the refrigerator. If you don't eat leftovers that are a day or two old, you probably never will, and it will sit in your fridge till it grows a green covering. Don't wait for this stage before you throw something out. Give it to a beggar while it is still edible. Do this regularly, and you can get yourself a small fridge and save still more space! The larger the fridge, the more you're going to stock in it.

Windows

Use blinds instead of curtains. They may be less romantic, but they make a tiny space look neater. Chicks are a great alternative to blinds. They have a less 'office' feel about them, add warmth, and don't crowd up a room.

If you must use curtains, make sure they are of a thin, sheer fabric. Skip the lining.

You could hang potted plants outside your window. They give a lovely foliage effect.

Don't use too many plants indoors, no matter how much you love them. They crowd up the place.

Lights

Lighting can make a world of difference to your home. Use low lighting around the seating area, and strong lighting in the bathroom, kitchen and study area. A low-hanging paper lamp in a corner gives a beautiful effect.

Flooring

Wooden flooring obliterates the need for carpets and rugs, and it looks fantastic. So if your budget allows you to do so, go in for it.

Marble flooring looks great too - as long as you get it polished regularly. Marble floors look best when they shine and reflect light.

You could also call up a flooring company and get your floor tiled with ceramic tiles. They look great, and there are a variety of patterns and colours to choose from. If you make the right choice, your house could very well end up looking like it's been decorated by an interior decorator!

One-room Apartments

This living arrangement can be enough for a single person, but we do have to admit that it may be a little too cramped for a couple. However, single or double, you could still make a go of it. Here are some tips:

For a single person, keep a bunk bed, with a little ladder on the side. You could have your desk unit with shelves and drawers under the bed.

For a couple, a sofa-cum-double bed is the best option.

Section out an area for the kitchen. Separate this area from the rest of the room with a partition. On the side of the partition facing the kitchen, you could make shelves to hold basic utensils, crockery, cutlery and spices, and covert the other side of the partition into a bookshelf or hang a large mirror and make it into a dressing table.