8 false beliefs when furnishing a small flat

Kayla Gulec Kayla Gulec
дизайн студии в скандинавском стиле, sreda sreda Scandinavische slaapkamers
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So you just got the apartment of your dreams and it's time to furnish! But your flat is somewhat smaller than the average, meaning there are extra precautions you need to take before you get down to business and make your new apartment your own. But as always, we've got you covered.

To help you will this ever-occurring problem, we've put together a list of the eight most common false beliefs new renters have when it comes to furnishing a small flat. And it's not just small or studio apartments that will benefit from these tips–even those of you will more square metres to spare than you know what to do with could learn a thing or two from this list. And even if you are guilty of one or two of these shortcomings, there's an easy fix around the corner.

1. You don't need that much natural light

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False, false, false. If any home deserves more natural light, it's the small ones. Since they're already compromised on space, depriving them of natural light will only make them feel more cramped, and even a little bit depressing. Natural light has a way of expanding your environment, so unfurl those curtains and let in the light!

2. It's okay to use as many busy patterns as you want

apto cobre/blue, Casa100 Arquitetura Casa100 Arquitetura Moderne badkamers

Of course, it is okay to use busy patterns in your small space, but you need to be smart about it. Dedicating an entire wall to loud mosaic tiles can be overwhelming in small spaces, especially in the bathroom, which is by nature the smallest room in the home. If you desire intricate patterns like this, tone it down. Consider having a single horizontal Mediterranean tile stripe about halfway up the wall and have the rest of the tiles in a neutral colour, like white. This gives your space the charm you desire without making anyone dizzy.

3. Bigger is always better

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The biggest mistake we see with small flats is the incorrect scale of furniture. Having furnishings that are either too big or too small will reek havoc on your interior and ultimately make it feel smaller in the end. Take good measurements before you commit to buying anything so you can make sure it will fit well in your home. And on the same note, avoid placing too much furniture in one area.

4. An accent wall will brighten things up

Floor Lamps II, Herstal A/S Herstal A/S Minimalistische slaapkamers Verlichting

While it's definitely true that accent walls bring in splashes of colour without the need to dedicate an entire room to something so bold, it's really not the best choice for smaller homes. Small homes feel more pulled together when there is only one unifying colour, so if you don't want to break up your flow, keep these accents in larger areas. Additionally, when everything is clean and basic, it becomes a lot easier for you to layer in colour and texture into each individual space. If you're still unsure of how to do this, however, contact a painter who can give you the best advice unique to your space.

5. That space over there can stay bare

дизайн студии в скандинавском стиле, sreda sreda Scandinavische slaapkamers

One thing you don't want to do when furnishing a small flat is to leave unused space. Get creative when it comes to storage and find places to carve out more usable square metres. Floor-to-ceiling shelving is one option, but you could be even more economical about it and utilise the area underneath your bed.

6. Mirrors are overrated

Arquitectura de Interiores - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, Sara Santos Arquitecta Sara Santos Arquitecta Moderne eetkamers Accessoires & decoratie

Now this is a silly notion, but many don't fully understand the decorating power of mirrors. They double your home's visual space and reflect all that natural light you worked so hard to get into your home. But don't just think about the ordinary mirror. Designs like the one we see here are very well received among homeowners. You could also use mirrored backsplash in the kitchen to enlarge that area, or even incorporate furniture with mirrored elements for unexpected reflective surfaces.

7. We don't need to get rid of anything

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No matter how many innovative storage solutions you've come up with, you will always have limited space in your small flat. It's important to decide what you need and what's superfluous and be sure to keep everything you think is functional (or meaningful–we're not asking you to throw away your favourite childhood toy). And speaking of toys, this tip is especially directed at you parents out there. While it is wonderful to be able to provide your child with every toy they've ever wanted, it's not practical in the least when it comes to your home. Your kid will be just as happy with half the amount that they have, and you can even do a good deed and donate the rest to those who are less fortunate.

8. We can hang everything in one spot

Clorofilia 2015, Clorofilia Clorofilia Moderne woonkamers

No, you cannot. It's physically possible, but not stylistically optimal. Just like the accent wall and tile points, clustering all of your photos or inspirational quotes on one wall is just too busy. But this doesn't mean that you can't hang more than one photo on a wall–you just need to do it practically. Plan your groupings beforehand and try not to cluster more than six together.

If you thought these tips were helpful, then you might want to know more about how you can better store your clothes in your small space!

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