If you want proof that British homes are smaller than ever, a recent article in The Guardian has probably provided it.
According to this study, UK living rooms have shrunk by around a third since the 1970s, with new-build properties increasingly restricted in terms of floor space and overall size.
This poses a significant challenge to home-owners, but one that can be partially negated by creating the illusion of space within your property. Here are three things you can use to achieve this objective:
Natural Light
We’ll start with natural light, which is often used by interior designs to optimise the sense of space within a property.
Through the integration of features such as frameless glazing, you can create interiors that allow an incredible amount of natural light to engulf the space. This is particularly true during the summer months, while this can also help to reduce your energy consumption and monthly living costs.
You can also enhance the impact of natural light by investing in wooden and natural oak furniture, with this technique especially effective in the kitchen and living room.
Mirrors and Mirrored Surfaces
Reflective surfaces can also help you to make the most of your natural light, which is why mirrors can serve such a crucial purpose in new-build properties.
So, by installing strategically placed mirrors and mirrored surfaces throughout your home, you can reflect beams of natural light while also adding depth to even the most one-dimensional spaces.
This explains why long rectangular mirrors can lengthen corridors in your home, while making the space appear larger than it actually is.
Just remember that the shape of the mirror that you choose is also important, as this will interact with the space around it and alter the visual effect.
A Minimalist Outlook
We close with what is arguably the most obvious solution to a cramped living environment, which is to adopt a minimalist outlook and actively strive to optimise the floor space available to them.
Aside from clearing away any obvious clutter, there are a handful of creative ideas that could enable you to achieve this goal.
Investing in floor-to-ceiling wall units offers a relevant case in point, as this provides additional storage space while maintaining an open interior.
We’d also recommend creating a focal point in each room, whether this is a single piece of furniture, a bed or a television. From here, it’s easier to organise a minimalist layout while also ensuring that you reduce the number of accompanying fixtures and fittings in the surrounding space.