Home renovations can be both exciting and challenging, especially when dealing with small spaces. Imagine renovating a small studio apartment to provide a stylish retreat or upgrading a tiny kitchen. However, aiming high can lead to common mistakes that might derail your plans. At the beginning of the renovation process, you would possibly miss the small things that can totally decide if your project will succeed or not.
At Ryan Creative Living, we believe that small spaces should never limit big dreams. Whether you’re reinventing a tiny studio apartment, a compact kitchen, or a snug bathroom, avoiding common pitfalls is key to maximizing potential. Here’s our expert guide on the eight mistakes to avoid during your small-space renovation.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Upgrading Small Spaces
Overlooking Functionality for Aesthetics
Renovating small spaces could easily divert your focus to aesthetics rather than functionality. This could result in the choices that are pretty but will not be useful. As an example, the living room could have a nice ambience when putting on a large coffee table, but it takes up the space in a way that movement is hard to manage.
Therefore, the best way to decide on pieces of furniture is to go for those that can be effectively used in multiple situations, like an ottoman with storage or a foldable wall desk. It’s also important to think about how you will use the space daily.
Ignoring Vertical Space
When renovating compact spaces, a lot of people generally neglect the vertical space. People focus only on the floor and furniture, leaving the walls above unattended. In this way, you can get a room that looks very plain and has storage facilities that are barely utilized.
Instead of placing the entire floor with bulky furniture, consider shelves or wall cabinets. As they can create a room more lofty and set it up more practically. The excess vertical space can yield an appearance of more depth and height.
Using Dark and Overbearing Colors
In small renovations, dark colours are the mistake many people make. The darker the colours, the more drama and elegance they bring to a room, but they often make small spaces feel confined and not very pleasant.
Rather than having dark colours dominate the place, it would be better to incorporate them by making a bright schema and adding them on throw pillows, artwork, tiles, or choosing just one feature wall. Having all parts of the space, such as walls, ceilings, and floors, painted in dark colours, there will be a suffocating and uncomfortable environment that even creativity stifles.
Cluttering the Space with Oversized Furniture
An avoidable error when you are renovating a small space is the use of large and heavy furniture. These massive and heavy pieces make the space look crowded rather than stylish. These large items may seem fancy and can catch everyone’s eye, but they can ruin the balance and harmony of the space.
On the other hand, these large items can also limit mobility and make space look crowded rather than spacious. Always choose furniture that fits your space well. Look for sleek designs that are taller rather than wider.
Poor Lighting Choices
Poor lighting can ruin a small space’s beauty and functionality. Many homeowners focus on replacing old ceiling lights or just putting a single dim bulb. The best lighting consists of combining different types of light: ambient, task, and accent lighting.
This way, every corner gets enough light without feeling crowded. You can make your room more beautiful by placing exquisite wall sconces or smartly placing floor lamps. Moreover, not using natural light during the renovation is a big mistake.
Neglecting Storage Needs
It is crucial to prioritize clever storage space when renovating a small space. Every inch matters, and ignoring storage can turn your well-designed area into a messy space quickly. Turn your focus far away from the ordinary cabinets and shelves.
Integrate furniture that doubles as storage and conceals your belongings. For instance, ottomans with secret compartments or beds with drawers can help you save space and make your room look better.
Forgetting to Maintain a Cohesive Design Theme
Revamping small spaces can be a big problem particularly when it comes to maintaining a consistent design theme. This important detail is quite often forgotten by the majority of homeowners. It is very common for people to prefer beautiful standalone pieces that do not harmonize with each other or clash pretty badly.
In contrast to just picking out things, think of how they go together in your space. Opt for a single colour scheme, the same materials, and types that form a unified look in the whole space.
Not Investing In Quality Materials
When remodelling a small space, it is tempting to cut costs by using cheaper materials. The cheapest option might bring troublesome problems that would adversely affect both the look and functionality of the space. Good materials last longer and make even small areas feel welcoming.
As an illustration, sturdy flooring or solid countertops can last for a long time even after regular use while retaining their attractive appearance. Moreover, using top-quality products can contribute to small-space function more effectively.
FAQs
How do I make a small space look bigger?
To make a small space appear larger, use light colours, and mirrors, and keep the space clutter-free. Opt for furniture with a minimalist design and utilize vertical storage to free up floor space.
What type of furniture works best in small spaces?
Compact, multi-functional furniture works best in small spaces. Look for pieces with built-in storage or foldable options that maximize space without compromising on style.
How can I add storage in a small room?
Incorporate vertical storage like shelves or cabinets, use under-bed or under-stair storage, and choose furniture with hidden compartments to keep the room organized and spacious.