Ever find yourself having space constraints when planning out your HDB living room design? Well, you’re not alone. HDB BTOs have consistently occupied a relatively smaller footprint than Resales and Private Properties. Yet in spite of that, there’s never a shortage of public housing projects with absolutely stunning designs.
Nowadays, us as interior designers have plenty of innovative solutions that adapt and maximise small spaces for larger living. If you’re here for some inspiration, here are a few smart design choices that you can make in your living room space.
1. Hang Mirrors In Your Living Room
We’ve all certainly heard by now that mirrors can create the illusion of a larger space, but when it comes to applying this concept to our homes, it can be tough to nail. Design expertise is recommended, as it can be pretty easy to unintentionally make your home look tacky.
Mirrors add perspective depth and brightness to any space. Seeing the room from different angles through the mirror, tricks your eyes and brain into thinking that there’s more space than reality. When done right, mirrors are a cost effective method for creating visually captivating interiors.
When deciding on mirrors in your living room design, think BIG, but go small for the frames. Choose from large to full-length mirrors with designs that fit your preferred style. Smaller mirrors tend to be less effective.
Not sure where to put your mirror? Here’s a protip: Position your mirror towards your living room’s focal point. A living room’s focal point is typically the most interesting area that naturally draws your attention (and no, it ain’t the TV). Think statement art pieces, collections, or unique lighting fixtures. Mirrors can serve as complementary elements of your focal point or even exist as a feature on its own, so get creative!
Placing mirrors near or opposite your windows can also let natural lighting reflect deeper into your home. Say you’re decorating a hallway for your HDB, hanging a mirror in the middle maximises the amount of light in the area and can help to visually enlarge a space that normally seems narrow.
2. Soft Hues
Mirrors aside, colours also have a similar illusory effect. Note that this doesn’t apply to every shade as lighter tones tend more effective. Their reflective pigments maximise the natural light in your room to produce an airy and open feel.
Painting your hdb living room in softer tones like off-white or pale blue makes its walls appear to recede. Lighter colours make the edges appear less prominent, creating the illusion of a larger space. For the best results, we recommend using similar shades across your entire living room. This gives the impression of a continuous space between your walls and the ceiling as it’s harder to differentiate the boundaries.
3. Space-saving Living Room Furniture
As implied by their name, these furniture save space by being multi-purposed (hence less furniture needed), and often come with lots of additional storage too. This is especially useful if you live in HDBs, to avoid cluttering your living room with too many belongings.
Think of shoe cabinets that double as sitting areas when guests come over, or simply for wearing your shoes daily. Multi-functional furniture such as ottomans, coffee tables with storage, bookshelves with pull-down tables are just some options to begin with.
4. HDB Recessed Areas
If you’re lucky enough to have a recessed area in your flat, these spaces open tons of possibilities to add to your living room designs with more storage. Place a small table and a cosy armchair to create a little reading nook! Decorate the walls with some open shelving that can be used to display items like your potted plants, awards, and souvenirs. Add some lighting to tie up the whole space.
If you want to put your mind at ease, you can count on Reno Loft! Our team of experienced designers value transparency and exceptional service, as we strive to be the number one choice in Singapore. With a wealth of knowledge and creative out-of-the-box ideas, no two projects are ever the same. Take a look at our portfolio here!
5. Hacking Down Your Walls
The walls of your HDB can potentially be hacked down to create a more open living room space. What you have left is called the ‘open concept’. This layout instantly makes your home feel more spacious, giving you ample room for movement. Note however, these can only be done in accordance with HDB’s guidelines, which your interior designer will inform you of.
With more freedom, furniture placement is no longer restricted to your rooms as well. Communal spaces like the kitchen, dining room, and living room can all be in one continuous space, making it easier for you to entertain your guests.
However, a lack of privacy can be a downside as you might occasionally desire some alone time. This is even worse if your study or bedroom is integrated into the open concept. If you want additional privacy, consider demarcating your open layout with curtains, partitions or dividers. They give you the flexibility to separate an area whenever required.
6. Vertical Space
Here’s another tip for making your living room space appear loftier. Play around with your vertical space, and hang your art pieces, portraits or wall decor higher up. They help draw the eye upwards which gives the impression of a higher ceiling.
7. Small Lighting Fixtures
With limited living room space, you’d have to choose your furniture wisely. This applies to your lights too! Larger fixtures like chandeliers or pendant lights may take up a lot of room and make it appear cramped. Instead, go for compact recessed lights that are able to illuminate your entire living room while preserving valuable space.
Remember, “little things make big things happen”. These are just a few clever techniques you can use to enhance smaller living room designs. So which one’s your favourite? Feel free to mix and match any of these tips when designing your living room space. Of course, you can always approach an interior designer to help you unlock its potential.
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