Making a Small Condo Feel Bigger

Live Large – Top 10 Tips for Making a Small Condo Feel Bigger

When choosing a new abode, whether or not you want it to be ‘humble’ is not always a matter of choice but most often a matter of what you can afford. Despite how well the housing industry is doing, there is no denying the fact that many people still can’t afford a single family home. If you find yourself in that situation fret not, condos are an excellent alternative.

Other than the lower cost, condos offer plenty of other benefits such as proximity to work and main attractions, lower maintenance costs, and in many cases, shared amenities. One of the few drawbacks, however, is the lack of space. While condos come in all shapes and sizes, most of the affordable Ottawa condos are small. If you moved from a home to a condo, you might find it a little congested.

Whether you are currently living in a large house, a condo or thinking of buying one, everyone could use just a little more space in their home. Sometimes you need additional space for particular activities, other times additional storage space is what we’re after. Regardless of why you are looking for additional space, there are plenty of ways you can maximize even the smallest of spaces.

Committed to making your condo life an amazing one, we are here with ten super space-efficient tips that can make your humble home feel like an airy paradise.

Let’s begin!

1. The Mirror Trick – Mirrors can, almost magically, create an illusion of a more spacious room. Use a wall-sized one in the living room, preferably opposite to a light source.
2. The Cantaloupe Rule – Every legit home styling guru forbids the use of any decorative item smaller than a cantaloupe. Small objects add noise; bigger ones add structure.
3. Let it In – Covering your condo windows with a curtain can add cluster in more than one way. Let the light in and use or blinds for privacy.
4. Keep it Light – Not all condos come with huge windows. So, make sure your place is well-lit with artificial light sources, preferably wall mounted ones.
5. Keep it White – White walls are best when it comes to reflecting light. The more light in a room, the more spacious it appears.
6. Multi-purpose Furniture – Ever seen that bed that transforms into a couch as well as into an iron stand, and can store plenty of stuff underneath the mattress? That’s how you save money and space.
7. Vertical Limits – Instead of buying cupboards that rest on the floor, go for shelves that can be mounted on walls. You will have more space to walk around without bumping your toe into something.
8. The Half–empty Philosophy – Instead of one fully stacked shelf, go for two half stacked shelves. You will be surprised at how clutter-free your space appears then.
9. Say You’re Goodbyes – Keepsakes are good but not everything in your garage has a precious memory attached to it. Think practically and part ways with the things you wouldn’t use.
10. The Stripe Spell – Just like mirrors, stripes create an illusion of more space. It’s why horizontal stripes aren’t recommended for your dress if you want to look slim but if you’re feeling daring they may work better in your living room!

Not enough? Need more space? Here’s a bonus list to really maximize every extra inch:

Consider Loft Bedding

One great way to maximize your space is by choosing a loft-style bed. This style of bedding is similar to a bunk bed, except with the bottom bed removed. In some instances, the space below is completely open, but others include a desk or additional storage options. With these styles, you are able to keep the room you would normally lose under your bed, but still have a comfortable place to rest your head.

Unique Storage

Another great way to save space is to look for ways to create unique opportunities for storage. For example, building additional storage over your bathroom door can help solve many issues. Also, if your home has a staircase, you may even be able to create a small pullout or closet under them.

Visual Space

Along with creating physical space, it is sometimes nice to create the illusion of space. This is something you can do by adding more natural lighting can help make a room feel bigger. You can also accomplish this goal by using mirrors in creative places, like the backsplash in your bathroom, or using glass wall dividers to separate a room without making it feel smaller.

We can’t promise all these tricks will make your Ottawa condo appear as big as a townhouse, but they will definitely make it look like a well planned and brilliantly styled home, and of course slightly bigger than it actually is. Whether you live in a small condo or are simply looking for a way to better utilize the space you have, these are definitely some things you will want to consider.

For even more tips and tricks to help make your home or condo even better, be sure to contact us today. If you’re looking for a new condo in Ottawa or want to see how we design all of our condo units to feel bigger in order to help you live larger check out the amazing condo projects we’re building in Ottawa right now.