Urban living has a lot of benefits; the amenities are right on your doorstep, and the populace is more diverse. However, it doesn’t tend to come with a lot of space. Unfortunately, most people living in London will not have oodles of space within their homes. In fact, studios tend to be more common. If you do live in a studio flat, it can be a challenge. However, the way in which you decorate can really help to transform the space and make it feel bigger. Read on to learn more.
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Use Multiple Light Sources
Firstly, when it comes to small spaces, it is actually preferable to have several sources of light as opposed to a singular source. This is because the light can then be used to illuminate more of the room, making it brighter and ensuring that there are no dark corners encroaching on the space, which makes it feel smaller. Most studio flats will obviously simply have a central light fixture, so adding lamps, fairy lights or strip lights will be key to creating more light sources. You can buy LED strip lights from Simple Lighting, so be sure to check them out.
Keep Things Compact
While you might love ornate and elaborate light fixtures and lamps, realistically, you do not have the room to incorporate them at this juncture. Leave them until you have a bigger flat or a house that has room for them. Bulky light fixtures make the room feel smaller and more cluttered. Slender, more compact fixtures are ideal. That being said, it does depend on your living situation and whether you rent or own. If you rent, then you will obviously need to read the lease to see what you are and aren’t allowed to do within the space.
Consider Shelving, Cabinet and Wardrobe Lighting
Within a studio flat, there are likely to be other unlit areas in addition to the dark corners, which can make the space feel a little more enclosed. Choosing to add strip lights to the underside of your cabinets, shelving units, and even the inside of your wardrobe can help to make the space feel more spacious. They again count as additional light sources too. Depending on their placement, they can also help to illuminate certain features or trinkets too to create a gallery effect.
Utilise Vertical Lighting to Create Height
Creating paths of light that run vertically up towards your ceiling helps to draw the eye upward, making a room feel taller. You do not have to take this literally either; it doesn’t mean that you need to install vertical spotlights or run strip lights up the length of the wall – although hanging fairy lights can be really effective and aesthetic. No, for the most part, it simply means having lights at various heights throughout the studio, like sconces, floor lamps and table lamps.
Backlight to Create Depth
Backlighting helps to create more depth in your space; it is also a really effective decorative tool. You could choose to backlight any wall-mounted art, mirrors, furniture or even your television. Again, strip lights are ideal here. They can be affixed to most things because they tend to come with an adhesive on the back which allows them to be stuck to most surfaces.
Maximising Natural Light is Key
Next, you need to consider ways in which you can increase the amount of natural light that your space gets. Unfortunately, studio spaces do not tend to have an abundance of windows, so maximising the natural light can be somewhat of a challenge in itself. Take a look at your windows. Do you have anything obstructing the path of the natural light? If so, you need to move it out of the way, clear off the window sills and leave them empty. You should then consider that your curtain’s heavy drapes obstruct the natural light, but obviously, lighter curtains are not as effective when drawn. Having a longer curtain pole allows you to move the curtains to the side completely to let as much light in as possible.
It also makes sense to hang mirrors strategically. This is because mirrors have long since been a popular decorative tool because they do indeed help to create an illusion of more space. Think about the placement of the mirrors. Hanging them in the pathway of the natural light can help you to reflect it around the room more. You can also choose to hang them in the path of the artificial light to create much the same effect.
Think About The Colour Scheme
Doing your best to keep to a neutral colour scheme comprised of light colours can also help to ensure that the natural light within your studio is maximised. This is again because lighter colours allow natural light to reflect around the property. In contrast, darker colours tend to absorb light and can make the space feel more enclosed. This doesn’t mean that you can’t incorporate colour; you absolutely can. However, try to ensure that the colour is introduced through soft furnishings and finishing touches as opposed to being bigger focal points like furniture or wall colours.
Remember Your Choice Of Furniture
When it comes to choosing your furniture, as briefly touched upon above, you should try to incorporate more transparent surfaces if possible. Glass or clear plastic tables and chairs allow the natural light to pass through them, which is key when you are trying to find ways to maximise the amount of natural light your space gets. Obviously, this is not always going to be possible because finding transparent furniture will not always be practical or possible. In these instances, light furniture is advisable; compact furniture is also better for a smaller space.
The Takeaway
Realistically, you are never going to be able to transform your London studio flat into a sprawling mansion. It just simply is not possible. That being said, using your common sense and embracing the decorative techniques listed above is a great place to start. Making your home feel more spacious regardless of its size is a common pursuit. Light is one of the best tools at your disposal. Both artificial and natural light are key players in interior design. In addition to this, there are a few other things that you should consider, like investing in multi-functional furniture and clever storage and space-saving solutions. Trying to take a more minimalist approach to life also makes sense when space is in short supply.
