We all know the feeling of walking into a home that understands the assignment when it comes to feeling spacious – no matter how big or small it actually is.
The illusion of space is one of the most important aspects of any abode, but a few common design don’ts might be standing in your way of that spacious feel – literally.
Clearing clutter away seems an obvious first step towards a more polished look, but there are other very simple (and cheap) decorating tricks that will bring order to your space, making it more open, organised and tidy. Here are the 5 design don’ts to avoid:
Not having a dedicated drop zone
We all have that spot in our homes where we put our keys, bags, shoes and give random items a new home.
For some, it’s close to the front door or wherever you enter your house from. It’s where you unburden yourself of everything that armoured you throughout the day. For others, it’s that famous chair in the bedroom that eventually turns into a mountain of clothing. And for a few, its a series of different spots all over the show.
It’s a no-brainer that these spaces are hotspots for mess and clutter.
To combat this, allocate the most convenient space to be a drop zone, and put out storage baskets for different items. Add a table if there’s space and place pretty little containers on top of the table to hold keys, wallets and even letters. 1. You’ll know that everything has its place and 2. Items won’t get confused amidst each other.
No cable management
Everyone is guilty of having little to no cable management in certain parts of their home, especially in the living room where electronics run wild. Cable management isn’t the most fun thing to do in the world, but if they’re left open and exposed, they can be a massive eye-sore and your route to a face-plant should you trip.
Cables can be hidden in a number of ways, such as running them along the wall at floor level or through the ceiling or cupboards to keep them out of sight, but it requires expert knowledge to do so. Alen Ribic, co-founder of SweepSouth adds that cable management is best done by a professional as it can require extending cables and drilling holes.
Ribic recommends that people find a professional who does this for a living. There are many that can be found on the SweepSouth Connect app – they have lists of home professionals in your area who are rated and vetted.
The app also has a useful image recognition feature that lets you take a photo of a household area or item, so that it can identify which service professional is best suited to help fix the problem.
Using oversized furniture
Nothing cramps up a space more than furniture that’s disproportionate to the space. You might want that big bold coffee and have already formed a connection to it (because as unapologetic lovers of decor,we do) but sometimes if the shoe doesn’t fit, you can’t pull a Cinderella’s ugly-step-sister move and try to squeeze. If you insist on it, more often than not it’s just going to make your home look overcrowded and uncomfortable.
If you already have the furniture, consider selling it online and using the money from that to purchase items that fit the room you need it for. Take measurements before you shop so that you don’t end up buying the incorrect size. Crowding a room with too many bits of furniture is also a clear road to a disorganised space. Pro-tips: cut down on the amount needed by using multi-functional furniture, such as sturdy pouffes that can be used both for seating and as side tables, coffee tables with storage for cables and TV remotes, and mirrors with shelving attached to them.
Overfilling open shelving
Open shelving is all the rage, and it looks lovely – when done right. It’s oh-so tempting to fill open shelves with books, picture frames and all the other objects you can’t find a home for, but this type of storage actually works best when it’s not overcrowded, unless of course, you’re a maximalist and your entire home fits the theme.
If it is a minimalist look you’re after, start by spacing things out. Edit down what you’d like to display, and leave open space between some of the items. Put your favourite decor items out, and remember the old adage that is often more.
The same rule applies when you’re styling a coffee or dining room tabletop. Give careful thought to what is visible in the room, especially if it’s a small space. Display only what you love, and make sure not to overflow a surface with too many items to the point where you wouldn’t be able to identify your coffee mug amidst them.
Group small items together in a shallow bowl or on a tray so that the arrangement stays tidy, and keep small objects from looking lost by elevating them on a stack of two or three books. Books that double as holders (you know, the ones with those secret draws) are also a great addition to keeping your rag tag items hidden in plain sight.
Not using vertical space
If you’ve ever mounted your TV on the wall, you will know how much of a difference it makes to a space to not have your TV sitting on the cabinet or table. Making use of wall space – vertical space – is the first design hack for anyone living in a small space to live by, but even if you have a large home, its a sure way to free up every room in the house.
Put up shelves, hang items from the ceiling (like hanging plants) and rellish in the open space on your counter tops.
If you can’t mount the shelves yourself, book a handyman. One of the advantages of doing this is that you’ll find a professional most suited to you.
“The problem with searching for a service professional online, such as typing in ‘Plumber in my area’, is that hundreds of listings will come up, with the top-ranked being so because they bid the highest, not because they have the best quality, which makes it very difficult to identify who’s right for you,” says Alen of SweepSouth.
“Likewise, it’s tough for service professionals who are really good, but don’t have the marketing budget to make sure they’re ranked on the first or second page of a Google search. Connect, which has an in-app chat ability, helps service professionals and customers find each other, and engage about the services on offer,” he adds.
Keep this guide handy the next time you think your home needs a makeover, and breathe in knowing a complete revamp is possible simply by moving a few things, getting creative and asking for a little help.
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FEATURE IMAGE: Twitter/ @GuyKawasaki
