How to make a 1 BHK into a 1.5 BHK: 8 tips that will make your home look bigger

Image © iStock.com/kosheen87

Are you someone who is always on a lookout for extra closet storage space? Are you constantly bogged down by the fact that you have no space to move around in house? Are you always reading up online to find pretty and practical space ideas?

Yes, yes and yes! If this is the case with you, then we are sure you would want to read up ways to make your 1BHK look like a 1.5BHK space-wise. We have for you our list of top 8 small space design ideas, which are sure to add tons of space to your small room and would make it more functional.

1. Maximise vertical space

Image © iStock.com/Ralwel
Image © iStock.com/Ralwel

One of the most functional way to give an illusion of space is to use the advantage of your wall height and keep away from adding stuff on the floor. For instance, add tall bookcases, shelves and cabinets, and hang hooks on the wall for jackets and coats. You could also create visual stumbling blocks with room walls to suggest that the room is larger than it originally is!

2. Trick your eye, deceptively

Image © iStock.com/rilueda
Image © iStock.com/rilueda

By this we mean, create an expression of extra space by strategically placing mirrors to illuminate as much of natural or artificial light as possible. Also, if you use see-through furnishings and floor-to-ceiling curtains the room would automatically look bigger.

3. Control as much clutter as you possibly can

Image © iStock.com/Tzido
Image © iStock.com/Tzido

This may sound as cliche to you, but this step holds the utmost importance when it comes to creating extra space in your room. Get rid of clothes, files, furniture and extra stuff you no longer need. Also, keep the moving around in-house parts sans furniture, so that nobody is bumping into the furniture and there is enough space to move around.

4. Embrace change and extreme functionality

Image © iStock.com/AnikaSalsera
Image © iStock.com/AnikaSalsera

Choose only elements that are multipurpose in nature. For instance, a table that can work both as a dining table and as a study desk, and an ottoman that can work as sitting place and can store daily use items too. Be it buying folding chairs, flip-flop tables, murphy bed or collapsible furniture, there are a plenty of options out there to help you add instant space to your room.

5. Store smartly

Image © iStock.com/BornaMir
Image © iStock.com/BornaMir

Start by storing daily use items, such as cleaning products and bathroom supplies in labelled boxes and stack them in a closed space to give a neater appeal to your room. Get shoes off the floor racks and store them in the over-the-door rack or uppermost shelving of closet.

6. Paint the room in single tones of light colours

Image © iStock.com/DiyanaDimitrova
Image © iStock.com/DiyanaDimitrova

Colours can add depth and space to any area. Go for soothing and even-toned rooms to given an illusion of extra space. Paint the ceiling and walls of the room in tones of white, cream, beige, light browns and greys to create a sequence of visual continuity.

7. Create zones and subtle demarcations

Image © iStock.com/robynmac
Image © iStock.com/robynmac

For a moment, think about all the things you would want to do in a space – work, relax, eat and sleep. Now create separate zones inside the room for different activities to evoke an imagery of largeness. For instance, a window seat should be kept different from tea table and chairs and built-in banquettes should be kept different from curtained bed.

8. Purchase smart lighting

Image © iStock.com/petinovs
Image © iStock.com/petinovs

Lighting doesn’t always means having a tubelight in the room. It means having structured lighting that illuminates space, such as bed-side table lamps, floor lamps, ceiling lights and console lights too set the mood for different activities in the room.

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