Not every room gives you the huge space to apply big and comfy furniture or the clean lines with a lot of free space for a minimalistic look. Whether you are a designer or a homeowner, taking your time to design a small room is the wisest thing to do. And whereas the fitted or made-to-fit furniture does the trick when it comes to having everything that you need from the room, it may still look small. That can be changed with the biggest surface of the room – the right choice of floors. This short guide should help you use the flooring that will make your small, cramped room into a designer corner, the star of your apartment.
Choose the right colour for the flooring
The lighter and warmer colours that come close to white are the most logical choice when choosing the colour for the flooring of any small space. That does not need to be the case in every room. For the spaces that have smaller windows, or you simply tend to spend more time in the evening in that particular space, can make you choose a different colour.
The cold and dark colours can give off a royal chamber look to your small space, especially if there is not a lot of daylight available. However, be sure that this choice will be better for you before implementing it as it will give a very different look than you might expect.
Choose the right finish for the flooring
Flooring can have a few different finishes, where matte and glossy differ from others as most frequent on the market. Bear in mind that some finishes stain the original colour of the flooring, changing its colour and tone. Whereas a glossy finish will work better with lighter colours, a matte finish will go great with darker flooring.
When considering different tones for the finish, find the one that has a consistent colour. The consistent colour will give the illusion of a bigger surface and make walls appear further apart. The great thing about the glossy finish and consistent colour is that your floors will appear cleaner and attract more attention.
Use timber planks
Of many flooring materials available on the market, timber flooring will definitely bring the outdoors inside. The big piece of natural material in interior design gives looks of the outdoors, thus further ensuring the illusion of a bigger space.
Timber flooring is usually installed in planks or strips. Strips can be longer but are always skinnier than planks. The best choice for smaller spaces is timber planks that are wider than standard 7.5 centimetres, as wide planks make the floor and subsequently room appear vast. The same flooring in every room
Diagonal or parallel flooring installation
When it comes to the installation of the flooring, the arrangement will make a difference in the design. There are two recommended types of flooring arrangements for smaller spaces. The diagonal or parallel installation will definitely be your choice depending on the room layout and door orientation. The diagonal installation makes use of the longest line on the floor, which is the diagonal line. The rooms that have a layout that has accents and an entrance in the corner will be the best match for the diagonal flooring installation.
The parallel flooring is made when the flooring is installed by following the longer wall of the room. The layout of the room should also follow parallel lines, and the best is when the middle of the room or one wall is seen from the doorstep. Additionally, the walls should have shelves, TV, or pictures hung horizontally oriented, to attract more attention to the length of the room.
Match the furniture and flooring wisely
The goal of each interior design is to make the most of the space visually while ensuring desired smooth function of the space. First and foremost, floor space is visually lengthening the space when being empty. The furniture, apart from the bed, chairs or tables are best put on the walls. Apart from using vertical space to actually create more space, use the colours that match flooring or walls to further emphasize non-existing vastness.
Small spaces should be looked at as a whole. This doesn’t mean that you should do everything in one colour, although it does express the need for a coherent design. Colours should all match and give the look of a life-size painting. However, it is best if you avoid many details, especially small and fine details that preoccupy the vision of the visitor. Make use of windows, especially if they are large, as the light will give the illusion of more space. On the opposite side, use curtains in darker to create more vertical lines in a darker room, which goes well with the dark flooring.
Bottom line
Small spaces don’t need to be constricted, stuffy, or like a mouse’s den. Whatever your existing layout and taste are, you can play with the design to create more space. The great thing about the small spaces is that your results will be seen quickly and without too big investments, which you can later spread to the rest of your house or apartment. Consistent style, consistent design, and colours will make a whole layout coherent, making your small space expand to other rooms.