How to enlarge small spaces

The topic of our presentation is “how to enlarge small spaces”.As we have known, the price of real estate is increase day by day, and for the

common people, owning a plot of land is getting harder and harder. And with their saving, they can buy just a very, very small plot, about 30 square meters, we have to cram many functional spaces in such a small space. So, we better know how to treat our eyes if we don’t want to be imprisoned right in our home.

In this presentation, we just want to show you some tips to enlarge your small house, in fact, to cheat your eyes.

We would like to talk about these 4 parts:- dividing space- color your small world- furniture & accessories- light up your world

A. Dividing space:

1. Open rooms to each other. What is the living space? Any one of us can easily answer that “living space is

the space we live in”. Based on that meaning, a living space includes:- Kitchen - where we cook and eat.- Bed room- where we sleep- Living room- where we meet friends, watching TV, etc.- Rest room- where we have bathing and… doing some other things. :DThough it's important to clearly define separate spaces, some openness

between adjoining rooms makes all of them feel bigger. In the present apartment trend, demolishing walls between living room, dining

room and kitchen to create a consecutiveness between spaces will increase the ventilation and bring the feeling of spaciousness for the apartment.

*Inspire of using stationary concrete, designers now encourage the trend in which, the seperation is limited, and even completly demolished.

And now, we’ll watch a short video clip about a small apartment, in which, the architect decided not to use traditional space-dividing solutions. And we’ll see how he works it out.

=> clip 3 elements: dividing functional spaces in an apartment without using walls, doors…

=> In this picture, we can see a mock-up of the apartment that we’ve just seen in the video clip. The Architect used a center block, which contain a toilet to separate the living room and the kitchen at the lower level. We can see that the architect use a functional space- toilet- to separate 2 other functional spaces- kitchen and living room, instead of using walls and doors to make those functional spaces to be rooms. The functional spaces in this apartment are not limited by the walls, as a result of this, spaces are both separated and linked with each other and the apartment looks much bigger.

Changing floor’s height:*Another way of dividing is to change the height of the floor for each differently

functional space.

=> For example, in this picture, we can have a complete penetration view

through the small house, because there’s not any wall between the living room and the kitchen. But with 2 short steps staircase we can also feel the change of function in each space.

Using decorative details:*Inspired of using the rough walls to seperate spaces, you can use other lively

decorative details to make the space lither and softer.-Short shelf:

=> The short shelf in this house is use to separate the living room and the

kitchen. If using a tall shelf or a wall to separate would make the small space of the living room limited, this short shelf gives us an open view over it and make the space seems to be larger.

If using the short shelf becomes a familier solution to seperate small spaces, you can find many other similar solutions:

=> In another part of this house, a bar is used to separate the kitchen from a path.

- Using bars of wood

- Another solution is using glass. Glass is a familiar material to every one, and with the technical progresses in glass manufacturing, nowadays, there’s many kind of glasses that have high hardness, multiform patterns and colors. High hardness now allows it to be use as a space- separating detail instead of using walls.

=> In this picture, we can see a “glass-baffle” which divides a room into 2 different functional spaces: kitchen and dining space. The owner of this apartment may want to make the kitchen more discreet, on the other hand, he also don’t want to limit such a small space of the kitchen with thick walls.

Using a thin pane of glass here is such a clever idea. The separation is clear but the 2 spaces are also linked to each other with the glass’s transparence. As a result of this, the room was made to feel larger.

On another hand, the hardness of this pane of glass also allows us to assemble 2 shelve, that can be used to place accessories in the dining space or as a table in the kitchen. This is also a space-saving solution that we’ll mention in another part of this topic.

=> Now we can see another apartment that also uses this solution. In this case, 3 panes of glasses are used to separate the living room and the bed room. This may be a very small apartment so that the owner has to place these 2 functional spaces together. The glass that used here is completely transparent but with a delicate curtain, the designer was successful in creating a precise feeling of privacy for the bed room.

More over, this material have many patterns and colors, it can be not only a replacement for walls but also a very worthy decorative details in interior design.

This trend not only creates the necessary independence of different spaces but also prevents the complete seperation that makes the functional spaces much larger than they really are.

2. Stretch your space into the outdoors.A patio, deck, or screen porch, goes a long way toward increasing usable space -

without the expense of adding on. Porch provides all the comforts of an interior room, an awning to protect against harsh sun, and cozy, welcoming furnishings that invite lounging.

=> clip open space-light-verandar door.

The wall which seperates the apartment and the verandar is not really a wall but 4 folding illuminant door. It can be completly folded back to let in light and fresh air. As we have seen in this picture, the view from the living room to the outside is widen by using this type of door- or walls and as a result of this, the room looks bigger.

And in the next video clip, we will see how this couple uses their deck as another living room and more than that, a great place to hang out with their friend. 3. Avoid blocking view to windows and doors.

I think all the things that we are trying to do to enlarge a small space, actually, just the endearvor (in’devor) to create as many vacancies in the house or apartment as possible. It’s just a cheat to our eyes, the more vacancies they meet, the more comfortable they feel and so that the space seems to be larger- actually- less limited. But many of us just think about view inside and skip the view towards outside.

Blocking view cause us sultry( ngột ngạt), suffocating( nghet thở) , stress and it may make you feel like you are imprisoned in your own house.

Otherwise, an open view, especially to a green space, will makes us relax and comfortable. Though, a green view or an open view will be very hard to find in big city, such as HCM city nowadays because the real estate’s price is very high. We can try to create some green space in our apartment with such sky-light atrium combining with some small plants.

Another suggestion is using Optical art to create an imaginary space through the walls.

An optical illusion plays a trick on the mind using size, shapes, and lines. Drawing or painting pictures on the walls also enlarges our living space and lead us to the colorful and magical worlds of the paintings. This is a special, meticulous ( tỉ mỉ) and expensive work, but it doesn’t matter if you’re a loved-art.

For examples : This wallpaper creates a fake landscape in your room. That scene will make your small space appear larger and nicer.

B. Color your small world:

1 / Choose Soft, Light Hues

Choosing colors for your home can be an exciting journey of discovery.

Color has a powerful psychological impact and can influence our state of mind. Some colors are regarded as healing, making us feel happy and well, while others have a negative impact, inducing melancholy.

While dark, warm colors make a living space cozy and intimate, light, cool colors make it open and airy.

Specific examples:

Blue is the ultimate cool color. Sky blue, shades of dove gray and fawn, and pure white create a peaceful retreat to soothe the soul, sending a message of calm and serenity. This color will give your room a relaxing feel.

Create a hospitable living space with blue and white shades. Use the sensuously curvy chair and sweet carpet to relax in. You are evoked to a sea shore when entering this room. Use sky blue color to push the walls away and make the room appear larger.

Green, deeply relaxing, is a central color in decorating, connected with nature and the sea, it may be one of the reasons people find it so easy to live with.

Pale green walls and a mirror reflect light and enhance space in this small bathroom. Tiny mosaic tiles in a buttery shade cover the bath and panel. A walnut panel behind the freestanding toilet adds contrast and provides a shelf for toiletries, make-up brushes and sponges. A square sink adds a contemporary twist, while a Conran Shop bath rack holds sponges.

Pale purple have a powerful connection with our romantic, sensual and introspective sides. So consider this hue when you're deciding a color for the bedroom. But use a bluer purple to keep it more restful.

Add romantic and soft styling to a pale purple living room by heaping cushions, with luxurious finishes, onto a soft daybed. Black and white prints and photos, mounted in simple black frames, make a smart finishing touch. The pale purple panited on the walls makes the limited space appear to recede.

Yellow:Use yellow in rooms where little or no natural light has access. If you paint the den or basement walls, it can give the appearance of natural light and brighten up the living space. But when choosing the shade, keep in mind that bolder, deeper yellows can be overpowering.

Be inspired by nature with spring-fresh colors in your living room. Yellow walls and floral curtains are a perfect backdrop to creamy furniture including a Sofa Workshop and a white decorative cabinet. Flowers and cushions in yellow and green add the final bright touch. As the pigment that is most closely resembles the sun, yellow lends chromatic brilliance to this space. Both wall and window curtain with a light color give the illusion of a more open space.

Cream means white with a hint of yellow. It is a soothing and result on the eye, but also elegant. Shades described as ivory, oyster, magnolia, shell, and vanilla all sit within the color band..

Contemporary cream bedroom: This calming bedroom is further softened by a luxurious, Nicole Farhi silk quilt, while the cream color scheme helps to open up the small space.

Neutral shades like white, gray and black are best when you want low-intensity. You will create a more simplistic, peaceful atmosphere for your room. If you already have bright colors or heavy-patterned furniture in the room, neutrals are a great way to make them stand out.

This is an example of a neutral color scheme, notice that all the colors are natural tones. Here are few suggestions

to help you accessorize your space and get the most of your neutral colors.

Add natural fiber pillows in neutral colors to add texture and character. The sleek chrome dining room table and the dark vase create an added punch to the otherwise beige palate.

Neutral simulates simplicity - keep your decorating simple, chose accessories wisely and sparingly.

When these natural colors are mixed with textures it brings a calming effect to your space.  

This small cottage bathroom is painted in neutral tones to maximize space and light. A contemporary suite with a round, surface-mounted basin and column taps contrast with the original beams and traditional tongue-and-groove paneling around the bath. Tiles from Walton ceramics add color, while a mirror with an ornate frame is decorative.

White: combinations of white on white are always clean and refreshing( gray-white, bone-white, dirty white).

White isn’t a mere absence of color. It’s a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black. The granite-topped work surfaces are chic and practical. The natural cabinet storage space has been painted white to reflect more light and make the room seem bigger.

2/ The correlation of colors

Use just one (use a Monochromatic Color Scheme) or two colors per room for visual simplicity that expands a space. Also keep in mind that white, neutral or pale colors best reflect light, visually "pushing back" walls.  This is not a hard and fast rule, as many designers prefer richer colors in smaller spaces.

There are many different tones of white that work really well together. Mix an ivory sofa, with a textured rug. Avoid brilliant white by choosing a soothing bone color for the walls

and mixing it with a simple white coffee table and bookcase.

This living room has an airy relaxed feel, with a sofa and pale blue footstool. The

tonal cream, light blue walls and the floral curtain are complement each other.

What you have to watch for when using rich colors in a small space is to reduce the contrast in the horizontal and vertical planes.  For example, a light carpet, dark wall and white ceiling will often cause the walls to feel like they are "closing in" on you.  If you do decide to use a dark color, reduce the contrasts with the floor and ceiling.  For example, continue the wall color onto the ceiling.-The ceiling can be painted a lighter version of the same color that you used for the walls (this will create color harmony) (or use a shade that's only two or three shades lighter than the walls on the ceiling) to keep the contrast levels. A low ceiling - or any ceiling, for that matter - will seem to open up if you paint it a color lighter than the walls.

Instead, focus the contrast on the furniture or accents, keeping woodwork, cabinetry and/or trim a contrasting neutral color such as cream. The dark color on the walls becomes negative space for the detail and furniture up against it.

3/ The c omparison

Keep in mind that colors actually affect your perception of surroundings. Following are some general rules:

Warm colors make a room appear smaller and more intimate; cool colors make a room seem larger and more spacious.

Red is a good choice for a room where you want to excite your mind and senses -- like this living room. This is a good space for entertaining -- there will be lots of lively conversation in this room. If you use your living room primarily for relaxing, however, you should opt for a paler shade or cooler colors.

Go for a deep aqueous tone of blue for the walls, as it's a warm shade of the color. Mix with darker blue furniture and off-white pieces to create the balance, and accents of taupe will bring richness to the scheme. Dark wood is also good for adding depth and hints of bright pink will lift the room.

Intense colors make a room seem smaller, while low intensity colors enlarge it.

Here, the deep pink walls, butter-yellow ceiling, orange-and-yellow curtains, and red Persian rug are cooled by the neutral floor and aqua-blue in the duvet. The color of the room is too striking. You feel everything is quite near. So the room seems smaller.

Here, the pale pink gives a decidedly feminine look to the room. The purple bedspread adds some strong color, and is a good complement to the pink walls and window treatments.

Dark colors make a room seem smaller; light colors make it seem larger.

Create a place to unwind. This ultra calm space is given a touch of glamour with a sophisticated color scheme of midnight blue, deep plum and grey. But dark colors aren’t the best choice for small spaces. In this case, light color such as icy blues, pale green, white and cream, butter yellow, pale lilac, some neutral colors will enlarge your space and make you comfortable.

Highly contrasting colors make a room seem smaller.

This room is designed in dark and contrasting colors. It tightens the space and also emotion.

The classic style of this living room is complemented by fresh lemon walls and green floral curtain fabric. The relaxing sofa and the drawer unit are white. Everything in this living room is associated harmoniously.

The more of a particular color you have in a room, the more intense it will appear.

There are many colors in this room. Various colors separate the whole space into many small pieces. It confuses our view and narrow our space.

Hand-made wooden shelving makes good use of a small space by the staircase in this open-plan room. Wicker baskets are ideal for placing in the individual compartments

C. Furniture & Accessories:

1. Scale and furniture:

If the room is small, be careful not to buy the largest pieces of

overstuffed (qua ruom ra) furniture you can find. Furniture should be appropriate- scale wise - to the rest of the room.  That doesn't mean that everything should be miniature.  You can make a compact room feel much bigger by choosing fewer larger, bolder ( cứng cáp) pieces instead of several smaller ones.

Slim and streamlined pieces, such as armless Parson chairs, are beautiful space savers. For example: a sofa with exposed legs will appear smaller and less bulky than one with hidden legs.

2. Multi- function furniture Is always the best bet when you are trying to enlarge a tiny space.

3. Storage solution:Another way to enlarge a small space is to use open shelving or

floating shelves. Instead of using oversized floor bookshelves that take up square footage and are usually bulky, place open shelves on the walls to display your books and photos. This can make a huge difference and keep a small room from feeling cluttered.

4. Mirror:Mirrors are often a great way to open up a room. When we look into a

mirror we see through and beyond the physical plane of the mirror's surface into the virtual space of the reflection. This causes a change in the focal point of our vision, which eases tension in the eye muscles and helps promote relaxation and stress release. The mirror opens up a virtual window in an otherwise flat surface. In feng shui terms this symbolically opens up new

vistas, not just for our eyes, but also for our mental "vision" of ourselves and our lives.

1. A wall that blocks your movement as you enter a space (forcing you to turn to the right or left to proceed) symbolically blocks your progress in life and/or career. A mirror on the blocking wall opens up a virtual window that enables you to focus on a more distant point. By enabling you to see "through" the wall, the mirror lessens the blocking effect:

Blocked entry forces turn to the right

A mirror creates a visual expansion of the space

2. A narrow entry or hallway constricts the energy of that space. This can have a constricting effect on your own energy, either in terms of success and/or health. The lungs especially might be affected, as the constricted passageway in your home is analogous to constricted airways in your body. Widen a narrow entry or hall with mirrors on one or both sides, for greater ease:

Narrow passageways feel constricting

Mirrors on one or both walls will make the space feel wider

3. A split view - where the entry is blocked on one side but you can see deeply into the space on the other side - is thought to cause tension and mental confusion. This situation is considered more serious than a fully blocked entry because your eyes send contradictory messages to the brain. A mirror on the blocked side helps to equalize the space:

A split view at the entry is extremely unbalanced.

A mirror on the obstructing wall opens helps correct the energy.

4. Mirrors are also helpful for correcting "missing areas" in the layout of a home or room:

Here a mirror is used tovirtually expand the space

outward to fill in themissing corner.

Mirrors reflect much light and will vastly enlarge a small space if positioned correctly. Try not to hang a mirror on the same wall as a window, but on adjacent or opposite walls. This will reflect the outdoor light from the window and will help bring more light into the room. It will also help expand the room by reflecting the window view in the mirror. Mirrors do best when they reflect a pleasing image. Be sure to place a mirror where it reflects a window that will bring in light. This will work for you in two ways. The added light is always a plus and the view out the window visually extends the room when reflected in the mirror. A mirror that reflects the sunrise or sunset brings an entirely new dimension of color into your room.

D. Natural lighting:

Bring in more light, adding more light fixtures like rope lights, bookself light, floor lamps, wall sconces. It won’t take any room in your space.

Lighting: Once again, think small. We have all seen the hand-me-down table lamps that are so bulbous and large that they leave no room on the end table to place anything else. Today you have many options for lighting. Think about putting wall sconces above the end tables. They will be a work of art on your walls, and deliver the light without taking up any table space. You can also try a floor lamp positioned to shine light where you need it.

Any type of bright lighting will make a small living room appear larger, and this is why real estate professionals recommend turning on household lights before showings. However, natural light is the most complimentary light of all, and opening blinds and drapery will greatly enlarge the appearance of a small living room. Take advantage of natural lighting when the sun is shining, and open blinds and light-blocking window treatments. You will be surprised by how large the space appears when natural light is shining in.

To allow more natural light in your room, you can construct a skylight or solar tube. Or you can add more recessed lighting to brighten up the room. Recessed cans are a terrific way to change and brighten up a space—

especially wall washers—they will throw light on the walls or art and can brighten up a dark area, giving the illusion of more space.

The series of neutral hues are brightened up by the sun light comes from the windows and the doors. Selecting the building materials, colors, and organizing the lighting angles really enhance the small space of this mobile home.