No matter the size of our apartments, it often feels like they're never quite big enough. Nowhere is that more true than in Hong Kong.
You may have your heart set on that 5-room southside apartment, but your budget might have other ideas. Not to worry, there's still a lot of time to get there.
But in the meantime, try some of these practical interior design tips to open up the space in your compact home in Hong Kong and make it feel much bigger than it really is.
1. Pick Light Colours for Foundational Elements of Your Space
Rooms dominated by dark colours have advantages, but they will make the space feel close and restricted.
Opt for lighter colours for your walls and floors instead. Light colours, such as light greys, off-whites, and pastels, can make a small apartment feel larger.
This doesn't necessarily mean you have to have blank white walls. Another clever trick is to match your wall colour to the shade of curtains you choose, or at least something similar.
That way, the curtains will blend into the walls rather than intruding on the space available and making your small living room look smaller.
2. Use Rugs to Separate One Room into Smaller Spaces
This is particularly helpful if you live in a studio apartment in Hong Kong. You can use a few smaller rugs to separate the spaces so that it appears you have more than one space within one large shared space.
This helps you compartmentalise your living space physically and mentally.
3. Choose a Rug with the Right Patterns
Rugs can significantly impact how your space feels. Not only do they instantly make a home feel more cosy, but they can add a lot of personality to a space.
The right rug can add visual interest and open up a small apartment, making it feel more spacious
Stripes on Rugs
Just like wearing stripes on your shirts can change how your proportions look, a striped rug will also make your room appear longer.
For optimal effect, the stripes should be oriented to the length of the room. This helps trick the eye into subconsciously feeling as though a room is longer or wider.
Small Repeatable Patterns
We humans love patterns, as they can bring a sense of comfort and predictability. Consider rugs with small repeat patterns to continue a theme within your home.
This helps create the feeling of spaciousness and avoids overwhelming the room with large, bold designs that command too much attention.
4. Follow The Cantaloupe Rule
According to Sabrina Soto, a home style expert from Target, “Decorative accents smaller than a cantaloupe crowd a room”.
This is because having many pieces of small home accessories makes a space feel crowded and thus makes a small apartment feel smaller.
Visual clutter can make any space feel smaller. Keep your decor minimal and organised. Statement pieces can draw the eye and create a focal point without overwhelming the space.
Try getting large colourful vases or lamps, large framed wall art, or other pieces of décor that really take up some space. A few larger items will make a room look like there is much more “breathing room” and negative space.
5. Vary Your Lighting Sources
If you only use one lighting source, such as your ceiling light, this concentrates lighting in one space, making the room feel cramped.
Instead, vary your sources of lighting by using smaller lamps to draw the eyes around different parts of the room. Floor lamps and table lamps can create a cosy and well-lit atmosphere, enhancing the natural light.
6. Get Some Long Legs
Having sofas, tables, and cabinets with a base can make your space feel smaller and heavier.
This is because light can´t travel through, thus darkening a small apartment. Instead, try going for furniture with exposed legs, like mid-century modern-style homeware.
This creates a more airy feeling throughout the room. Low-profile furniture that also uses storage also helps create an open and uncluttered look.
7. Utilise Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces
Mirrors and reflective surfaces can create the illusion of more space. For example, a large mirror on the wall of a small bedroom can reflect light and make the room appear bigger.
To enhance this effect, incorporate reflective surfaces, like glass or mirrored furniture.
8. Smart Storage Solutions
Clutter is your enemy in a small apartment. Built-in storage and hidden storage options are essential to making an apartment feel larger. Use vertical space by installing floating shelves to keep items off the floor.
Closet space can also be optimised with organisers that maximise every inch. Hidden storage under beds or in benches can also help keep your living space tidy.
9. Install Floating Desks and Wall-Mounted Tables
To save valuable floor space in a small room, consider installing floating desks or wall-mounted tables.
These can be folded down when not in use, freeing up space and making the room feel larger. This is especially useful in studio apartments or smaller homes where every inch counts.
10. Add Vertical Gardens
If you love plants but lack floor space, use your wall space for a vertical garden. Use wall-mounted planters or hanging pots to add greenery without taking up floor space. This can bring a touch of nature and a breath of fresh air into your tiny space, making it feel less cramped.
11. Embrace Minimalism
In smaller homes, less is more. Embrace a minimalist approach by decluttering and keeping only essential items. This helps to reduce visual clutter and makes the small room feel more open and airy.
There are plenty of places in Hong Kong where you can donate your furniture with little hassle, making your apartment much more roomy.
12. Consider Transparent Homeware
Transparent or acrylic homeware pieces can make a small space feel less crowded. Clear furniture, such as acrylic chairs or glass tables, takes up less visual space, allowing the room to feel more open and less cluttered.
Armed with these practical styling tips, you should be able to start making the most out of your home. After all, we all need a little bit of breathing room after a long day in our stressful city.
Need interior design help? Ask an interior designer here, or check out our online interior styling service starting at HKD5,600/room.
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