Houses are shrinking. With the price of homes on the rise in most Canadian cities, young people have nothing to buy but smaller and smaller spaces. It’s a trend that’s not likely to change soon. In 2016, an adjustment in the Canadian mortgage rulebook doubled the cost of down payments for properties above $500,000. First-time buyers are likely stuck below that limit, making semi-detached homes and smaller condo units go-to properties. The bright side – innovation has kept up with this property trend. With house prices piling up year after year, discoveries in home decor have made those small living spaces livable.
Multi-Purpose Everything
It’s hard not to clutter a room that’s hardly bigger than a moving truck. In such spaces, you’ll have to say goodbye to certain pieces in your furniture sets. But for every piece that’s missing, multi-purpose furniture is the way to fill in the gaps. There’s always a need for storage, like this Warwick Storage Ottoman on Furniture.ca, but not always a desire to lose extra seating to a storage chest. These small space solutions offer both. There are also more eccentric items like this Futaba coffee table/loveseat. There’s a strange world of multi-purpose furniture to explore, so go as far as your tastes let you. Keep in mind that anything multi-purpose gets twice the wear, so it’s a smart place to aim for high-quality furniture.
Small Space Furniture Design
Floor space is your friend. Every contact point that touches your floor adds clutter to the room. However, you can save yourself from this phenomenon with wall mounted furniture. This mounted desk from LAX is a great example. With no table legs taking up floor space, the room will seem more open. Also, because there’s no space between the furniture and the wall, no space is wasted. Wall mounted furniture extends to shelves and even stools in the kitchen.
When deciding on small space furniture, think minimalism. No matter how much of the room they actually cover, thick furniture appears to take more space. A coffee table with tree stumps for legs is invasive compared to one mounted on thin rods such as this Lamon Luther Coffee Table. Remember, particle board twigs will never last, so make sure to stick with quality furniture when choosing thin framed pieces. To take it a step further, glass will give back even more space. The opaque surface will give the effect of more floor. These Selma Tables are a perfect example.
Create the Visual Effect
Bringing light into your space is a necessary trick. When a room is well lit it will seem to open up, unlike a dim space that can resemble a cave. Natural light is your best weapon. Make sure none of your furniture blocks any windows. This also goes for curtains – make sure they open further than the glass. Of course, electrical lighting can also contribute. Although in tight spaces, try to stay away from floor lamps which take away from your living space. Go for wall or ceiling mounts if possible.
Décor can also change a room’s perceived size. Mirrors can be a key decorative ingredient. On one hand, they reflect light; on the other, they give the appearance of another room just on the other side of the wall. Lean a tall mirror against a wall and it will give the effect of a doorway. There are also tricks that will play with room height. Curtains can grow your walls. By hanging them near the ceiling and letting them fall all the way to the floor, your room will seem taller.
Small Homes are Here to Stay
The necessity for Canadian city dwellers to buy smaller homes is unlikely to end soon. Even new laws, such as the Vancouver’s %15 tax for foreign buyers have made little leeway. Sales in Vancouver have dropped, but prices remain high as sellers are skeptical about putting their properties on the new market. At the same time, sales are increasing in Toronto, with foreign property investors relocating their purchases there. Condos and townhouses are still practical places. And furniture companies will keep designing small space solutions. The little spaces don’t need to seem little for long.