Small-space decorating doesn’t have to be hard! Australian illustrator Kerrie Hess shares her secrets on styling the cosiest of spaces to make your home the most inviting one yet! Say hello to a newly refreshed abode and goodbye to cramped and uncomfortable with her simple styling tips!
Create height
A great way to add instant style and space is with a wall gallery. A definite statement piece, a wall gallery draws the eye upwards and will give the illusion that your ceiling is higher than it really is. When styling your wall gallery make sure you plan it out, especially if you are hanging art in a smaller space. I always find laying the framed artwork on the floor and moving the art around until I’m happy with it is the best place to begin. During this process you will be able to see what art complements each other and place them accordingly. When spacing the artwork on a smaller surface area make sure to keep white space between the frames. This will make the artwork appear larger than it is. If your frames are very light and you forgo glass, you can use picture hanging adhesives to secure the frames. When choosing a colour scheme, stick to light or neutral colours that connect to the rest of the room. Hues of pink are great for adding a feminine touch!
Think multi-purpose
When decorating a smaller space think of the items purpose. If I can think of two multipurpose reasons for an item of furniture I will buy it. Ask yourself questions like, what functions does this item have? Can I store items in it? Can I move it to different areas of the house if need be? An ottoman is a great example, use it as a coffee table or extra seating in the living room all at once!
Forgo the coffee table
Cumbersome furniture such as coffee tables chew up space. Instead opt for stumps, ottomans, or side tables as a substitute for larger items. Not only will this make the room feel less confined and poky, but it will stop you from hoarding unnecessary items in the living room. If losing the coffee table is out of the question, choose a design with a glass top. This will let natural light bounce off the surface and will fool the eye into thinking there is more space than there actually is.
Keep colour palette neutral
When decorating keep your accessories in a colour palette that is light and neutral. This will dramatically expand your space. Think pastels, beiges, stones and light greys. To add impact, get creative and mix up fabrics and textures on rugs, cushions and seats. This subtle detailing will add interest and ensure all the colours don’t blend into one.
Choose one large statement piece
Believe it or not placing one large item of furniture into a room can often make it appear bigger than it is. More often than not cramming lots of little items into a room can make it feel crowded. So instead of creating lots of separate nooks with several pieces of small-scale furniture, try filling a large portion of the room with one item. For example fill 80 percent of the living room with an oversized sectional lounge. Add a small side table and you have a warm and inviting space. Opting for a sectional lounge will allow you to change up the space as you please.
Kerrie’s illustrations have featured in Vogue, Tatler and Harper’s Bazaar. She has illustrated countless fashion windows, billboards, book covers, silk scarves, cushions and packaging around the globe. She is also the author and illustrator of style book Shoestring Chic. Kerrie has lived in London, Hong Kong and Paris and is now based in Brisbane.
