This is How To Make Your Small Space Look & Feel BIGGER | DECOR & DESIGN TIPS FOR SMALL SPACES EP 1
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 มิ.ย. 2024
- I thought we’d take a little break from our DIY series and today I want to share with you some tips that I've learned for how you can make your apartment or home look bigger when it's actually super small. I have lived in small spaces for most of my life and most recently lived in a very small studio apartment with my husband for three years. We learned to live in a small space comfortably and I want to give you some of the tricks that I follow to give the allusion that my space is bigger than it is.
If you’re living in a small space, I hope these tips will help your space look bigger than it is because tis the year to be home and if you’re stuck in the city like me you may be in desperate need of more space!
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"you don't need to fill up every inch of your wall with a photo, or trinket you have" *AIGHT NOW IM OFFENDED* 🤣
But you do you 🤣
LOL Damon both of us click on this video and watching it in our tiny Parisian appartements
😭 I know the feeling 🤣
😂😂😂
My personal decor is layered floral/ color/ fancy! My space is b.u.s.y.! Yet.... My friends love to sit and enjoy. They would not decorate this way, yet have great fun in my space! It's just MY style! HOWEVER, i also appreciate good simple clean decor. Which ive enjoyed very much on your channel ❤
I wish the comparison photos showed the same space with different decor, rather than 2 different rooms. Hard to compare apples to oranges
I understand that! Unfortunately finding photos to illustrate those points online don’t come with the same rooms shown. Perhaps as this channel grows I’ll be able to make and use my own 💛
I disagree, I could clearly understand the concept behind each comparison. The pictures were most of all very well chosen and captioned.
Thank u, I thought I was the only one to see it
Especially the one comparing a craft room with a bedroom. My craft room is the one place I can fill with everything that is ME. The joy of seeing all the things I love that are filled with memories Spurs my creativity and would make anyone else crazy.
Yet the rooms your eyes gravitate to are the ones with less clutter...
1. Keep items larger than your fist
2. Less is more: furniture
3. Keep it clutter free
4. Closed storage all the way
5. Less is more: wall space
6. Place furniture off walls
7. Place larger ruges under furniture
9. Let that light shine through
10. Mirrors are your friend
11. Choose light wall colors
12. Pick one favorite: patterns, prints, textures, layers
13. Embrce empty space
14. Buy less
All of these tips were SO good!!
So happy to hear that!
yes they are sooo genius and helpful
Yes, definetly, absolutely *useful* 😆
What I found is, that if you have a really small space, sometimes it's also helpful not to work against it, but with it. Especially with the wall colours. If a room is really small, and you paint the walls dark, you can create a very cozy space which feels secure and warm. Also, darker walls can create really beautiful light accents when light falls on them, beautiful light-dark contrasts.
Absolutely! Every space is so different and it's usually better to go with the flow than against it! Dark rooms can be SUPER COZY!
I disagree, yes dark walls can make your room feel cozy and warm, but if you compare the SAME EXACT room with a bright white wall vs dark wall, the white wall will definitely look bigger, it for sure will add more light and open up your space if you have a small room
😊😊
this is the first interior design video for small spaces I agree with! So many interior designers offer tips that only work ~aesthetically~, but clearly show that the designers live in much bigger spaces. Watching all these small kitchen makeovers where they rip out perfectly fine cabinets (where you can hide your mess) for floating shelves that hold decor makes me want to cry, that's not a practical living space and it's going to look so messy once it's lived in. I'm going to have to check out more of your videos!
I couldn't agree more!!!
*EDIT* 1) I want to give you a brief history of this video for you before you comment 🥰When I posted this video a couple months ago, I had just hit 1k subscribers and made this video for my small audience. When I first put the video out, it didn’t have any images and as soon as I posted it someone sent me a kind, critique of the video that it would be better if I could include images to explain the ideas. So I immediately took the video down and started searching for images to explain my point. This was all done rapidly so I could repost the video that same night. That said, yes some of the photos are not perfect AND the rooms are very different when compared. I hope I can improve this and have more resources to pull from as this channel grows, but right now I don’t. I’m just using what I’ve got available and in the time frame I have available. While the images may not perfectly display the point, the principles are still the same and WILL help make your small space look bigger.
2) This video is from awhile back and it was brought to my attention when this originally posted that the music was too loud. I’m sorry, I’m human and mistakes happens. It was changed going forward with new videos.
The content was so good that I didn't notice the music until you pointed it out! Great info, Hun. Do you! 🎶
Just wanted to give you a heads up that when you edited this comment it unpinned it. You might want to repin it so that new viewers (like me - it appears mid-way through the comments right now) see it at the top again. :)
I think you're brave to be on TH-cam at all!!! So far, (you're new to me) i love what you're doing!!! It's a fun fantasy for a girl who's style is very busy, bright, and bold.
Ok this blew my mind! I'm moving into my own space and this helped A LOT!! Here are the notes I made:
1. Don't buy things smaller than your fist
2. Avoid filling your space with too much furniture. Buy bulky items, this will create the illusion of your home being bigger
3. Declutter. Is that item something you love? If not, get rid of it
4. Put the rest in storage that is closed and not put out on display.
5. Create more empty space on your walls. The more stuff you have, the smaller your space looks.
6. Place furniture off of walls (not necessary)
7. Use larger rugs with solid print or large print
8. Let liight shine through. Don’t use black out curtains (my tip personally is linen curtains! They look beautiful)
9. The bigger the mirror, the better. place mirrors that reflect natural light. Both give the illusion of a bigger space.
10. The lighter, brighter neutrals, the better.
11. Choose one pattern or one texture. Less is more.
12. Embrace empty space
13. Ask yourself, ‘Do I really need this?’ before buying something
Okay your notes are awesome and very well articulated! I hope these different elements help you in your small space. It’s what I always do an it helps me so much.
I think these were all really good & helpful advice. Lots of clutterbugs and dark room dwellers under this video are nitpicking it lol.
The darker the room is the smaller it feels
Me: but I like being surrounded by darkness
🤣
Same but I'm also scared of it for some reason 🤣🤣
Me: im gonna follow this advice here we go
Also me: actually i really like clutter, patterns, textures and black walls
1:01
Nicely done, enjoy your positive personality. 😊
100% agree. Recycle, donate! I actually began purging years ago and i am still working on it. Clothes are done, a whole lot of possessions were donated. I'm going through our basement now and one bathroom closet. You just don't know how great it feels. Your spirit and your home will feel lighter, I promise!
I had a grouping of framed grandkids photos (I have 10 grandkids) in different frames on one of my walls. I was trying to go for an eclectic look but it ended up just really looking cluttered. I took them all down and chose one 8x10 photo of all my grandkids and low and behold my eyes are now more relaxed when looking at my wall. Your tips were very helpful, thank-you.
There were instances where I disagreed with these tips, but I realized it was just because of personal decor taste and not because she’s wrong, since this video isn’t about decor style per se, it’s about creating the illusion of space.
I do wish more of the examples were in equal sized small spaces. I understand that they are just meant to be examples of what she’s describing but when the images aren’t of actual small spaces it’s hard to make a good comparison on how it effects the feel of space in a small room compared to the example of what not to do.
Love your tips! I'm partial to minimum but chunkier furniture too. A tip for you: you can have blackout curtains that will still work, if you want to. Just get them in white and use a curtain rod that's big enough so you can push the curtains to each side and reveal the entire window. It makes a lot of difference to how big a room looks! And the light is much better too.
Finally someone who knows what she’s talking about and goes deeper into the subject. Thank you so much!
i like how those were like actual tips with pictures to see for yourself instead of the person basically saying "don´t make it look small" :D
🥰🤣
As an artist, i was immediately drawn to the fairy light gallery wall. Personally i wouldn't have lights, but i love displaying inspirations near my workspace
I agree with so many of your tips. More is a chore ... Less is best.
I love the tip to buy less furniture. I live in a studio, so I positioned the furniture to create areas in my space.
It saves you money too!
Amazing video! I am the person who gets overwhelmed at the sight of full countertops and clutter in general. Totally resonate with the advice!
Sameeeee
First time viewer. Can I suggest: lose the music-aghhh😳The title/thumbnail made me think you were going to make changes to your tiny apt that only a bed fit. It worked in that I was bored & curious BUT the tips are actually SO MUCH MORE USEFUL & even decorating/design oriented whih was unexpected given the thumbnail. I found them helpful & I’m a huge design enthusiast so I know most of this kind of thing. Great job & love the editing w/lots of examples; very helpful 👍🏼❤️
Thanks for the constructive criticism! This is actually an old video that the TH-cam algorithm is just now picking up... I did get the music advice in the beginning and have since made that adjustment in the other videos. And thank you for the thumbnail and title advice. I will take that into consideration next time, but will keep it as it is for now because the golden rule for YT always is... if something is working and getting views, whatever you do... don’t change it 🤣 something is working now so we’ll just let it be and make changes going forward!
@@SpaceMakerMethod I read some answers of yours and I love them, honest and mindfull. You've got a new subscriber !
@@creuvette29 thank you so much 💛
Totally agree with the bulky furniture thought. I also apply that to decor like one huge moss bowl on a coffee table looks wayyy better then a coffee table filled with small decor.
Yes! Absolutely! And it’s a great way to invest in a more expensive/lasting piece buy buying less.
This was so inspiring I literally jumped from the couch to move my small furniture from the living room
Funny! I love all the more cluttered spaces more then the more simple stuff. I love a full space.
There are ways to achieve a full look without having lots of stuff though. Bigger things give the look but easier to clean. Lots of little things make it harder to keep clean and ends up looking dirty
agrreed!
I really like that 'avoid buying things smaller than the fist' rule. It is a super helpful guide for my personal style!
This is exactly what I was looking for, really great tips! (Just a small btw: It was a bit difficult to follow the video as a non-native English speaker with the music, speech, pictures and text all at the same time. I think the music and maybe also the text was unnecessary.)
Finally, a designer whose taste match 100% with mine 💜
So great if you have a studio & want to make the most of it! I've had compliments on how spacious my studio is after doing a few of these. !💙😁
Yes! That’s what I want to hear! It’s amazing what just a few simple changes can do!
One of the best tips I have heard on decorating small spaces! I especially like the advice of not having too many small furniture around, so true! I immediately subscribed and also told my husband about your channel! Can’t wait to see more videos :)
The green wall bathroom looks awesome
OMG 😱 WHERE HAS THIS CHANNEL BEEN ALL MY LIFE!!! sooooo helpful, I’m just moving into my new apartment and I have a template to follow 💕💕💕💕
🥰🥰🥰🥰 love this!
Yes! My son moved his large couch and chair into a new but smaller living room. I was amazed when I saw that it really worked.
Smaller than my fist ? ... I have so much of that 😮! Freeing up ASAP! I hope everyone in the house will agree 😬. Thank you for all the great tips 😘!
It’s such an easy rule to follow and maybe the kids can even help! (If you have them!) I hope it helps... it feels so good to free up space in your home!
I agree with all these tips!!! LOVE the fist one I had never heard that but it makes complete sense
Terrific ideas followed by thorough concise reasoning. One suggestion, if you don't mind, please remove the background music; it distracts instead of enhancing your awesome content. Thank you for creating this channel❣
sorry but those examples aren't really small spaces.
I thought I was the only one thinking that 🤣
But they still illustrate the point well
people in the united states have crazy ideas of small spaces
TH-camrs have a very weird view on what a small space is
read the pinned comment
What a refreshing video! Actual real-life suggestions instead of the same old tips that do not work in reality! The first video watched and I'm already a fan! My kind of style! Will be sure to binge watch some more!
Glad you enjoyed it and that it was helpful! I use these tips in all my small homes!
Everything you say is so true! And most of all: No drapes and no small lights/lamps hanging from them!!!!! Many people love to hang drapes, curtains, around or above the beds, or in some other area, to separate spaces, and then they hang small lamps on them wich makes the room shrink and look cheap. I'd rip those items out first, they look nice on a campsite in the tent, not in houses. And greenplants are beautiful, but don't place them all around as if they where dropped by a hurricane, on floors, hanging from ceilings, on tables, on shelves..place them all in he same place if they're small, or in the same area. On the same level, try different places because they do shrink the room if they are all around. I did that mistake because I love plants, oh the difference when I realized that I had to think out carefully where to place them!
First time viewer here. You have some really brilliant ideas and I'll be checking out your other videos. Hoping for no or quieter music and less commercial interruptions.
Haha yes on the music!
I love how the pictures she used were of all different styles not one specific one
💛
Absolutely, all the concepts can be apply to most design styles.
I just watched this! I have never seen you before! My husband and I have moved a ton as well. I chickened out of starting a TH-cam Channel. So i want to support your small channel. I literally just painted my attic and my bedroom white. In my room i got the ikea wardrobe with all mirrored doors. Looks like i’m on track. I’m a nurse home today with my tendinitis acting up. About to binge watch your videos. I loved all your tips and you’re not at all annoying😂😂 I’d never tell someone if they were annoying, but to say your not somehow seems like a compliment... Keep up the videos!
Bahaha thank you! I’m glad I’m not annoying 🤣 oooo your attic space is sounding so nice!
Oops, pressed enter before I was ready to send. You should start a channel! It’s scary at first and a lot of work but it can be so rewarding! What would you make it about?
Thanks for sharing these helpful tips! I would recommend lowering your background music because it's a bit distracting.
Yes! That was said and it’s been changed going forward. (This is actually an old video, but the new ones don’t have the loud music!)
We just bought a small house and your pointers are just a GREAT help for us. Keep making these videos!! 💖💖💖
i saw the first few comparison photos in the video and immediately knew i respected this channel's content. subscribed!
Thank you 🥰
same!!
Excellent tips! Best video on TH-cam for this topic hands down 👏👏👏
listen, i declutered just the top of the fridge the other day, and didnt even went all the way, just took a few things out and its been a week and everytime i pass by the fridge its just like i can breath better, think better, and be less stressed, decluttering is the way to go! need to keep going with the rest of the house now haha
This is the clearest and best video I’ve found on bedroom design. Thank you
Thank you! Hope it helps!
I agree with everything you said. I love simple & elegant, open & classy. Few things look nicer put.
Great suggestions! I’m moving soon and am going to try to utilize some of your suggestions as I unpack, thank you 😊
What you say totally makes a lot of sense. And I agree with the only thing I have found is the cube storage has been my lifesaver with kiddos LOL for us we can make it look neater instead of having a whole bunch of cabinets. But I still agree with u if it’s closed off and u can’t see. Does wonders. And I totally buy to much. But getting better. Thank u for ur great advice! Looking forward to watching more of your videos
my rule of thumb is to let those baseboard shoooow. It's just so effective!
Yes yes yes!!! Such a great tip!
Thanks so much… I’m going to give the couch off the wall tip a try 🙃😊☺️
I agree with you because I have too much stuff now since I been off work.
I love all the tips, most of which I haven't heard of! will definitely reference this video when I move into my new apartment in Feb :)
Such awesome tips!! We've always lived in smaller spaces either in Canada or when we lived overseas so I definitely agree with all your tips!
this is by far the most beginner friendly advice i got from someone about freeing up spaces. this is lowkey gold ✨
Thank you so much! I hope the tips are helpful! They really are exactly what I’ve done in all my 500sq homes or less!
@@SpaceMakerMethod dont worry!! this will be really helpful for me since i’ll be trying to revamp my tiny bedroom, for the first time, and i’m making this as a guide. Thank you so much 🤍
Interesting and helpful content thank you. Background noise (muzak) creates acoustic clutter. It may be what ‘everyone does’ but it detracts from the essential - useful content.
I was watching your video to help plan out my new entryway/living room (no clear room separation) and your video really helped me brainstorm! I love your channel, thank you for your videos
You just got me to de-clutter for the first time ever! Thank you! 😊
Ahhhh I feel so honored and so happy for you! 💛 keep going!!
@@SpaceMakerMethod I am! Lol. I'm loving it, my house feels better 😆x thanks
I totally agree with every single word! Thank you 💓😊
Thanks April this helped me make my bedroom seem a little bit bigger😁
Would like to see you coming to Hong Kong to check out these tiny apartments and offer your views! They are often built in a way that isn't user friendly at all(to maximize profits for developers)
I’ve seen some of my friends apartments there and heard the horrors... like rent!! Can’t wait to get over there once this pandemic is over!
@@SpaceMakerMethod I have also experienced the horrors, I used to live there (now living in Beijing). The rates were so high but you got so little space! Love your tips on home styling btw and really enjoyed the videos!
A lot depends on the style. The gift wrapping room with the old typewriter is a style. It's warm, cozy, and inviting. I wouldn't mind wrapping a half-dozen gifts in that room. The same is true of the gallery wall. That's a style, sort of Scandi meets Boho meets mid-century modern. Too little is a bore. Too much is a chore. Aim for balance -- visual balance and dusting balance.
The rooms shown in no way looked small! All of them were very spacious. Perhaps you couldn't find examples for your points that were so on point, but it was hard to see your points in the pics, b/c the rooms were so large.
I edited the pinned comment to show the context of this video, if you want to check it! It was put together in a pinch using what photos I had available. Will make a note for next time.
Many useful tips as usual! Stay safe during this typhoon.
Oh you too! It seems to have passed now, but I think there’s another one Sunday? 🤷🏻♀️
So going by the first few minutes you are really a minimalist.
i think it's mostly an America and certain EU country thing from what I can tell from all the comments.
I actually love giving my small room a small but cozy vibe
Yes I think it's a good option too ! As long as it's not cluttered because for me clutter can never sane for the mind
Love your advices April. I don't like too many pillows, prints, patterns, textures, small trinkets. Too many visual clutters and they take up unintended head space. Also, love your idea of going through at least 3 runs to do a through decluttering. Decluttered 8 bags of clothing today. Thank you for the inspiration. :)
Vidoe update looks great, I really enjoyed this video!
Yay! I’m so glad the edit helped!!
These tips are spot on! Especially the bigger furniture! Most decor and furniture are to small for the space.
The bigger furniture thing is soo true! I just got a new huge sectional and bigger tv stand yet the room feels more spacious and open now. And especially now that they’re white instead of a dark color it just brightens up the room
💛
Thanks a lot for your advices, need to update my dark and kind of small bedroom and It gave me lot of ideas, thank you, u just got a new fan on board 🤗🤗
Excellent ideas! I love the smaller than your fist idea, and the oversized furniture tip also seems excellent!
Such good tips! I've unintentionally done some of these already
Thanks for the tips and ideas. I have no closets so I really need to figure out how to organize the bedrooms.
i love all your ideas, im living in a studio type room, now i know what to do, 😇 its a nice decision that i clicked you! SUBSCRIBED!!!
love your advice
I agree little trinkets everywhere make it look messy & unrefined
totallY!
I ran into this exact issue. Very small 880sqft bungalow house, that someone um, rearranged, the floorplan resulting in a rather choppy layout. Anyhow, cleaned out the front room to have the popcorn ceiling knocked down and room painted. It is a north facing room with four windows and two doors. It serves as a dining room and living room. I chose a dark rich blue for the long north wall, a light blue for the other walls which have a door and the four windows. White trim. Phew!!! Long set up! Apologies
The point is that after all the work was done and the furniture was replaced, I found I was very reluctant to rehang the multiple pictures that were up previously.
I love my antique pictures and hammered aluminum, and I had hung multiple pieces together AKA gallery. But now, I find one picture per wall section is calmer, and they are modern...weird!
Coming from a long line of depression era antiques and "save it for maybe future use" collectors, it is amazing that at 65 I am morphing into a different sort of ascetic woman...loving the journey.
I like cute stuff and patterns so not buying random things I don't need is the hardest part lol. You're spot on with the closed storage though. Having everything out just emphasizes how much there is and you have to make sure every shelf looks nice or its just a mess
These were some really great tips. I watch a lot of these types of videos, many by professional designers, and some of your tips I have not heard from them. Thank you for sharing.
Glad I found this video!
Interesting tips - I hadn't heard of most of these, thank you! Always love new ideas for my small condo! I'd love to add one that I've found helpful: having some plate glass furniture rather than opaque wood. My small dining table, TV unit, coffee table, and end table all have a substantial amount of thick plate glass. Glass allows my eye to see through the furniture, creating the illusion of more space. :)
Great tips to live by. I agree 100%, less is more especially in small spaces. My home is not small but those are the rules I live buy. Clutter/too many items in any room gives me anxiety. I need a relaxed atmosphere to be comfortable in every room of my home. It just works for me.
Thank you! So practical and helpful. ♡
Great tips, thank you!
The puppy on the bed at 3:40 🥺
I was like don't circle it don't circle it he needs to stay LOL
haha did I circle a puppy? 🤣
Thanks for the tips.
Amazing tipppss 🔥!! Definitely helpful thank you so much ✨
Very helpful, thank you!!
thank you for showing all those great examples for what you''re talking about every time! Your video was super helpful! :)
Love love love love 😍❤️👍🙏 your channel thank you so much X God bless xx stay safe xx
Thanks so much
Well guess I'm breaking ALL the rules. Lol, I have a tiny cottage. I love maximalism. I have several emerald green walls. Stenciled walls. Textured limewash paint. A giant abstract 3D mural of a tree in the center of the house. Different fabrics. 3 different metals. Several types of wood. Walls full of stuff. All open storage. My kitchen counters are completely open. No doors anywhere besides the bathroom. Haha, basically a minimalists worse nightmare. But honestly a minimalist house makes me feel anxious. The clean lines send me into panicky feelings. I like to goggle at all the interesting details. But everyone has their own preferences. Would love to see some well done "busy" houses.
Really enjoyed your content and was excited to find your channel. Great practical tips that yes, I can do today! I’m planning to take down one piece of art I’m not loving right now to clear wall space and start researching how I can create a “closed storage” effect for two open bookshelves I have that are full of binders. 🤔🤓👍 Thank you so much! Subscribed and looking forward to more videos. Also love the “nothing smaller than a fist” guideline. Simple genius!
Thanks! They're really useful!
I'm actually gonna stick to your advices for when I design my bedroom❤️❤️🤩
Yay! Hope it helps!
Great points👍 would have liked to see different aesthetics just because I feel this could have tied in to a “how to decorate minimalist” type of video
Great advice!
I completely respect the fact that you start your video with saying if you love it do it. But I found myself loving most of the pictures of the rooms you marked with the red X rather than the green check because those rooms leaned more towards a homey bohemian aesthetic and that seems to be my vibe.
Great tips! It really helps, thank you very much for sharing!
You’re welcome.
I am in the process of scaling down so these tips will be very useful. I'll go check out some of your other videos.
So happy they’re helpful! We’re actually downsizing soon (and again) as well so more helpful tips will be circulating on the channel!