Ask a Designer: How can I maximize the space and light in a small cottage - You deal with low ceilings, difficult spaces and small windows? Do you have beams, redundant chimney breasts and dilapidated walls? The attractive and original cabins make wonderful homes, but they can be really difficult to decorate. Here are some ideas to make your home a welcoming place to come home to.
Nicola O'Mara Interior Design
Double light
small windows are a common feature in cottages and in the UK we like to enjoy the daylight as much as possible. A good trick to maximize daylight is placing a large mirror opposite a window to reflect light and bouncing into the room. And, if you have the space, placing another mirror in front of the biggest will bounce the light again! If you do not have the wall space for mirrors, look reveals the window (the part of the window that frames the glass). These, and the window sill, can be reversed and are a very intelligent way to make the windows appear much larger, while bringing more light into the room.
small windows are a common feature in cottages and in the UK we like to enjoy the daylight as much as possible. A good trick to maximize daylight is placing a large mirror opposite a window to reflect light and bouncing into the room. And, if you have the space, placing another mirror in front of the biggest will bounce the light again! If you do not have the wall space for mirrors, look reveals the window (the part of the window that frames the glass). These, and the window sill, can be reversed and are a very intelligent way to make the windows appear much larger, while bringing more light into the room.
Cabbages & Roses Ltd
Follow the wood
wood is the trend at the moment, and is a very versatile material. In this room, the rough texture of the wood contrasts with the white paintings on the walls and ceiling. The gaps between the boards add a strong visual band. Notice how the lines of the wood all the flows in the same direction; it tricks the eye into thinking the room is larger than it is. The fact that this piece has little furniture in it also opens lines of sight, making it appear larger.
wood is the trend at the moment, and is a very versatile material. In this room, the rough texture of the wood contrasts with the white paintings on the walls and ceiling. The gaps between the boards add a strong visual band. Notice how the lines of the wood all the flows in the same direction; it tricks the eye into thinking the room is larger than it is. The fact that this piece has little furniture in it also opens lines of sight, making it appear larger.
Sims Hilditch
Frame
When the walls of a room does not comply with the ceiling in one place, the architecture may look a little awkward. It can be a nightmare decoration, especially if you want to add color and pattern. There are several ways to treat the problem. You paint the beams or leave them in their natural form, think of them as a framework for your walls and ceiling. painted to match the walls in one color, such as white, draw attention away from the beams and they will form a subtle framework, while opting to keep separate draw the eye to them and help them stand out .
Get design tips for decorating around a sloping ceiling
When the walls of a room does not comply with the ceiling in one place, the architecture may look a little awkward. It can be a nightmare decoration, especially if you want to add color and pattern. There are several ways to treat the problem. You paint the beams or leave them in their natural form, think of them as a framework for your walls and ceiling. painted to match the walls in one color, such as white, draw attention away from the beams and they will form a subtle framework, while opting to keep separate draw the eye to them and help them stand out .
Get design tips for decorating around a sloping ceiling
Urban grain
Accept alcoves
Have you ever seen one without alcoves cottage? They are such a useful feature, it is a shame not to make the most of them. Open shelves are very functional. In this room, reclaimed wood is particularly interesting against the juxtaposition of industrial gray white. Most neutrals tone down the range of colorful books on the shelf well.
See how gently bring a cottage in the 21st century
Have you ever seen one without alcoves cottage? They are such a useful feature, it is a shame not to make the most of them. Open shelves are very functional. In this room, reclaimed wood is particularly interesting against the juxtaposition of industrial gray white. Most neutrals tone down the range of colorful books on the shelf well.
See how gently bring a cottage in the 21st century
Whitstable Island Interiors
open the
the trend towards more open living increases year after year. Closed-off small rooms can feel a little cramped, but removing the walls will help to open up the space and allow light to connect the entire region. You can always set your domains, for example in the kitchen breakfast bar helps keep separated from the rest of the room. A physical barrier also helps to keep the preparation area more secure and separate from any grandchildren.
the trend towards more open living increases year after year. Closed-off small rooms can feel a little cramped, but removing the walls will help to open up the space and allow light to connect the entire region. You can always set your domains, for example in the kitchen breakfast bar helps keep separated from the rest of the room. A physical barrier also helps to keep the preparation area more secure and separate from any grandchildren.
Johnny Gray Studios.
Choose an unconventional kitchen
When the space for a kitchen is extremely limited, you have to be creative. A kitchen does not have to take a huge amount of space, or come to any particular shape, size or configuration. If space is limited consider rounded edges to prevent accidents, and keep an open mind about whether you even want to have a kitchenette clearly delineated. The amount of time you spend cooking should help you understand how big or small your cooking area should be.
When the space for a kitchen is extremely limited, you have to be creative. A kitchen does not have to take a huge amount of space, or come to any particular shape, size or configuration. If space is limited consider rounded edges to prevent accidents, and keep an open mind about whether you even want to have a kitchenette clearly delineated. The amount of time you spend cooking should help you understand how big or small your cooking area should be.
Jessica Helgerson Interior Design
Add an additional floor
It is rare to find the right space in a cottage attic; low slope roofs often offer little more than a bit of storage in the attic. If you have enough space, and have the budget for it, you can open and bring light, creating additional space that will add value to your home and increase the pleasure of living in a small cottage. A mezzanine, which hosts a reading corner or a free berth, could be a good investment. Ensure the roof is well insulated, there is good lighting, and access is easy and safe.
It is rare to find the right space in a cottage attic; low slope roofs often offer little more than a bit of storage in the attic. If you have enough space, and have the budget for it, you can open and bring light, creating additional space that will add value to your home and increase the pleasure of living in a small cottage. A mezzanine, which hosts a reading corner or a free berth, could be a good investment. Ensure the roof is well insulated, there is good lighting, and access is easy and safe.
Whitstable Island Interiors
Create nook study
with so many people working from home, a quiet area to relax and focus at home is becoming more of a necessity. This can be problematic if your cottage is missing a spare. But it is possible to carve out a quiet area in the smallest amount of space. If you have a comfortable chair and matching outlets, then you're halfway. Go for a casual solution with a drop down sheet that rests on the wall or build a more permanent arrangement. Consider putting your desktop in the height of luxury - it is a very healthy alternative to sitting
with so many people working from home, a quiet area to relax and focus at home is becoming more of a necessity. This can be problematic if your cottage is missing a spare. But it is possible to carve out a quiet area in the smallest amount of space. If you have a comfortable chair and matching outlets, then you're halfway. Go for a casual solution with a drop down sheet that rests on the wall or build a more permanent arrangement. Consider putting your desktop in the height of luxury - it is a very healthy alternative to sitting
Chris Snook [19459008!]
Go minimal in the bathroom
Some cottage bathrooms can be larger than the average because they are installed in a former bedroom, but many will be very pressed for space. Vintage cameras can often be large and heavy, and may not let you make the most of the space. The baths are often much less convenient than the shower space and efficiency point of view. Use glass screens in combination with an ultrathin shower to keep clean lines and aesthetic lightness. Have a glass shower screen means the shower can be placed almost anywhere in the room.
Some cottage bathrooms can be larger than the average because they are installed in a former bedroom, but many will be very pressed for space. Vintage cameras can often be large and heavy, and may not let you make the most of the space. The baths are often much less convenient than the shower space and efficiency point of view. Use glass screens in combination with an ultrathin shower to keep clean lines and aesthetic lightness. Have a glass shower screen means the shower can be placed almost anywhere in the room.
Icon Interiors Ltd
spaces Log
most of the cottages have a garden, even if it is postage stamp size. Link between inside and outside is an effective way to connect the open spaces and a room. Consider floor to ceiling windows and doors, or use one or two of garden shades to incorporate its essence inside.
Tell us ...
Do you live in a cabin? How did you make the most of the space? We would like to see the pictures in the comments below.
most of the cottages have a garden, even if it is postage stamp size. Link between inside and outside is an effective way to connect the open spaces and a room. Consider floor to ceiling windows and doors, or use one or two of garden shades to incorporate its essence inside.
Tell us ...
Do you live in a cabin? How did you make the most of the space? We would like to see the pictures in the comments below.