Owning apartments in Sri Lanka can be a rewarding experience for many individuals. Since many apartments for rent in Sri Lanka cities are expensive, most people opt for a smaller living space. Likewise, a significant number of homes and property for sale in Sri Lanka also carry a high price tag. Fortunately, there are a number of effective ways to make an apartment feel bigger and lighter. The following article explores a variety of different ways to maximize a living space.
Small Living Spaces
In Sri Lanka, apartments may be as small as 20 to 40 square meters. Since this isn’t a significant amount of space, it’s important to be mindful when buying furniture and other household goods. In many cases, the best way to save space is through the use of multi-purpose furniture and home appliances.It’s also a good idea to create a central open space, if possible. Instead of placing furniture in the interior of a central living room, try placing it along the periphery. This can often make a room appear to be bigger than it actually is. In addition, this makes it significantly easier to clean a small living space.
Choosing Furniture
Multi-purpose furniture is a good choice for smaller living areas. For example, a futon can double as both a bed and a sofa. An elevated bed can also be an effective way to conserve space. Instead of having a bed several feet off the ground, elevating it to approximately six feet will allow for an entertainment center, closet or desk underneath.
In smaller areas, thinking vertically can help one save significant amounts of space. Instead of allowing furniture and possessions to spread out horizontally in a living space, try to find effective ways to stack objects. If you have a vaulted closet in your living area, make sure that there are shelves available on all levels.
Kitchens can also be designed in a way that minimizes the amount of space they use. While this may not be an option for people who rent, some basic renovations allow an owner to maximize his or her space in a variety of different ways. Instead of using an island, most kitchen functions can be compressed to take up no more than a single wall of a room. A dining room table can double as a living room coffee table for added space efficiency.
Space-saving Appliances
There are a number of appliances that can help people manage smaller spaces. For example, a combination stove / microwave can help an individual save several cubic feet of space. Portable dishwashers are also an excellent way to conserve space. In many cases, these devices take up a tiny fraction of the space of traditional dishwashers.
If a condo has a washing machine and clothes dryer, it’s possible to save space by combining these two machines into one. Many manufacturers offer a stacked washer / dryer machine. However, these appliances require a significant amount of vertical space for operation. While more expensive, some all-in-one washer / dryer machines combine both washing and drying functions in a single canister. However, these appliances are very expensive compared to traditional stacked washer / dryer units.
Window Space
If a small living space has only one or two windows, it’s important to make sure those windows are the central feature of the room. Try to avoid placing any furniture or other objects near them. The furniture in a room should be set up so they face any windows with a nice view. This can give a smaller living space the perception of being larger than it actually is.
Some renters and property owners also use mirrors to increase the perceived size of a room. While this strategy does work, there are several significant caveats to remember before installing oversized mirrors. Mirrors can often become a distraction over time. While a single mirror in a hallway, bathroom or bedroom may be appropriate, mirrors should not be placed in a living room or kitchen. In many cases, light from a television, light, or digital display can reflect through the mirror, creating an annoyance for a property owner.
Artwork and Decorations
One of the best ways to make an apartment feel bigger and lighter is through tasteful decorations and artwork. Artwork should be selected based on its openness. Claustrophobic artwork of tall buildings, cramped interiors and other negative images should be limited. Instead, try to find artwork that includes vast expanses, open views of the countryside, views of the ocean, waterfalls and more.
Lighter colors will help a room feel larger than it is. Try to avoid darker shades like red, black, brown and grey. Instead, light shades of blue, orange, lilac and cream can give a room a larger feel.
Scents can also have an impact on how we perceive open spaces. In a 2004 study, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discovered that some natural smells could decrease an individual’s feeling of claustrophobia. In particular, scents of apple, almond and mango helped to change how large an individual perceived a room to be. Many manufacturers offer scented candles, oils and other scent devices for use in home settings.
For those with a smart television, there are also ways to bring nature into your home. If your television has a device that can play YouTube videos, there are a variety of multi-hour landscape videos that can bring a pleasant ambiance to a room. Videos of tranquil waterfalls, rushing streams and the idyllic crash of ocean waves can be brought to the comfort of your home.
If you live with more than one person, however, it may be necessary to break a living space into separate partitioned areas. If this has to be done, try to work with a roommate or spouse to create an open, shared space for everyone to use. This can be an effective way to ensure that a room doesn’t develop a cramped ambiance.
