Dream big – 6 advantages of a small home

Chloe Hines Chloe Hines
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Living small has never actually meant living small.  Most homeowners stay within an average home size that can comfortably accommodate three to four people – with little room to spare.  So if this is your situation, you are not alone!  Not only are there plenty of parallels between living small or large – but you might be surprised to hear that there are most certainly benefits to living smaller!

With small living, and even communal living, there are plenty of items to consider as a homeowner.  Think of cost-effective decorating techniques, accessible (and small) storage and function and mobility! Multifunctional furniture and decorative accessories will most definitely become your new best friend – and even engaging in some DIY projects can bring out the concept of 'eclectic' living in small spaces!

From saving on energy and being more cost-effective to maintaining a more cosy, intimate life – living smaller has some sacred advantages that you should either consider or be proud of!  Below, we will discuss six advantages of a small home, particularly if you're living on an even smaller budget!

So warm and cosy

Anyone that owns a larger home will tell you that making their home feel cosy, livable and intimate requires major work.  From proper seating, to soft flooring and great décor – the effort and budget that homeowners with larger homes have to put forth is often exasperating.  

With a small home, the feeling of intimacy and cosiness amongst homeowners and their guests is not hard to come by. Choose smaller furnishings like mobile and fold-up sofas, small, detachable chairs, and like in this example – find coffee table sets where two or even three tables can account for one large table.  Limited floor space will undoubtedly be taken up by seating, so choose lighting options like seen here – minimalist floor lamps that have larger fixtures that can light the whole space.

If you have a fireplace in your smaller home, then gather seating around it so both the light and warmth from the fire will make your family and guests cosy up for evenings together.  One key to making a smaller living space feel cosy are rugs that are larger – but also soft and plush!

Here are more examples of some cosy, smaller living spaces!

Less room for decoration mistakes

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This example is perfect for demonstrating decoration techniques for smaller living spaces. When multiple rooms are combined (here we have a living room and small dinette together) then it is often easier to pull the spaces together!

The key to avoiding decoration mistakes in small homes is to choose one continuous colour palette throughout the home and keep the matching furnishings and decor to a minimum. This example provides multiple seating options - from a sofa, to a chair and a floor cushion and a larger coffee table for all guests to gather around and enjoy each other. Keep shelving systems high – towards the upper-part of the wall and even the ceiling to leave more legroom.

In larger homes, homeowners often think that each room should be different and unique – however, this can cause even larger environments to look cluttered and overwhelming.  Stick to one theme and colour palette and let the furnishings and decor speak for themselves.

Decorate on a budget

Decorating on a budget is incredibly easy! First, choose a colour palette that will make any room pop (as seen here) and gather furnishings from multiple sources!  Whether it's hand-me-down furniture from family members, second-hand finds, or smaller purchases from stores, make sure when you're combining everything that they fit into a theme.

Flea markets and second-hand shops are perfect venues for finding great pieces for relatively cheap.  We suggest that you do not discount pieces that show signs of slight wear-and-tear as DIY projects and reupholstering can be fun projects to personalize your furniture.  We know it's easy with second-hand shopping to grab everything since it's cheap, but keep in mind with smaller spaces that even one extra item can make the space look cluttered!  Whether you're handy or not, making your own end tables, coffee tables and framed mirrors are easy projects that can be completed in one weekend!

No more junk

Smaller living is a learned trade and one of the first steps of considering decor is to remove all junk.  This can be difficult as some pieces will hold sentimental value – but remember, getting rid of junk doesn't necessarily mean throwing it out! In your small home, consider unique and functional storage options so you can keep your life in tact!

Smaller floor space will mean utilizing it properly, as in seating, rugs and tables – so keep junk off of the floor and the walls. A great tip is to sit in all of your rooms and take a look around – look at everything from larger furniture to smaller decorative items and try to think of the last time you used them.  If the last time you used something, or dusted something was six months or more – get rid of it. The only items one should keep are the ones they use on a near daily basis!

Spend time outdoors

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Depending on your type of smaller home – apartment, condo, or house – consider spending more time outdoors to give yourself the illusion of more living space.  If your apartment building or complex has a courtyard, rooftop terrace or (lucky you) an individual yard area – use it!

In most areas, having a yard or individual outdoor space is rare, so if you're lucky enough to have this space – take the time to make it your own.  Seating, smaller tables and even the right plants can make any outdoor space feel like an extension of your home and will feel welcoming for both you and guests. Another consideration with smaller space is to bring the outdoors, indoor.  In months where it is possible, keep windows and doors open to allow for proper ventilation and a fresh, clean feeling.  Buy plants that can be used for cooking and air filtration as well, as a garden is hard to come by in smaller living areas and homes!

Pack it up, pack it in

The best part about living small? Being able to pack up, and move on with a fraction of the hassle that homeowners with larger homes experience.  With less items and multifunctional furniture, packing and moving should be an easily organized activity!

As seen in this example – the living room is beautiful, yet has a minimal amount of furniture and decor.  As we stated before, once you remove clutter and junk and decide to live with (beautiful) necessities and multifunctional furniture – your small living areas can still make a statement when it comes to interior design.  Whether living smaller is temporary for you or a permanent staple in your life – it can still being you just as much (if not more) happiness than a space three-times the size!

Be proud of your small space – and with the right techniques and brainstorming – make it a space all your own.  Those who live small, often dream bigger – and you are no exception!

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