7 Tips to Make the Most of a Small Space

Anjie Cho March 10, 2021

Do you have a space you label cozy (as a code word for small)? Whether you’re living in a studio apartment or you’ve got a bonus room that could use just a tad more bonus, squeezing a little more from the space you’ve got is as easy as these seven tips.

Hidden storage

You’ve got stuff, and that stuff needs a place to go. Having it out in the open can make even a large room look cluttered. Invest in items like an ottoman or bench with storage hidden under the seat. Look for tables with drawers or compartments. If it can double as storage and it fits your aesthetic, it’s worth considering.

Create illusion

There are a number of ways you can create the impression of more space without actually having more space. Mirrors and glass will reflect light, which in turn creates the illusion of a bigger room. A glass topped table, a mirror placed just right on the wall and artwork framed behind glass are all great options. In a similar vein, remember that rule about hanging artwork at eye level? Ignore it. Hanging your wall art a bit higher than usual will draw the eye up creating the impression of higher ceilings and, in turn, a bigger room.

Go big

It sounds all wrong, but putting larger pieces in a small space can actually make the room look and feel bigger than it is. You’ll want furniture that multi-tasks to make this work. Use small bookshelves for end tables or nightstands, or place that bench with storage in the seat strategically at the foot of your bed. Be careful not to overcrowd the room. A few well selected pieces will do the trick.

Let the light in

A dark room is a visually small room. Look for light. airy window treatments. Even better, choose curtain rods that are wider than your windows, and hang the side panels outside the window frame. This will allow your delicate curtains to frame – rather than enclose and block the window. Place your mirror on an opposite wall to reflect the sunlight as it streams through.

Go outside the lines

In an attempt to maximize minimal space, people tend to place their furniture flush to the wall. The extra bit of room you may pick up doing it that way, however, can make the space less functional and awkward. Decorate in triangles. For example, place your sofa against a wall and then angle a chair away from the wall to face the sofa. Use an area rug to define the area.

Edit

Don’t overfill the space. Your favorite collection doesn’t need to be all out on display. Every square inch of shelf doesn’t need to be filled. That library of music you once accumulated on CD can be pared down to the music you actually still listen to on CD.

Vertical climb

Don’t let vertical space go to waste. The space above furniture is ideal for shelving and art work. Plus, remember: the more there is to draw the eye up, the larger those walls will appear.

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Q&A Sunday: The Best Feng Shui Colors for a Kitchen

Guest User March 7, 2021

What are the best colors for a kitchen?

The short answer is: it depends! I encourage you to go back and read my philosophy on color. The most important thing to take into account is what colors you are drawn to, and how they make you feel.

I do have some ideas to share as a starting point, if you’d like some guidance. One principle of feng shui that can guide you in choosing colors is the five elements system. Knowing that your kitchen is a room where you might spend a lot of time, this can give you some ideas about how you want to welcome colors into this part of your home.

The five elements are earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. I recommend reading the descriptions of each below, and seeing if anything resonates with you. Then, think about how you can bring colors into your kitchen with intention. You can do this through the food you cook and eat, your dishes, a new coat of paint, or even something as simple as napkins.

Here are the colors associated with each of the five elements, and what qualities they can bring into your home:

Earth: Brown, yellow, and neutrals

Earth element is great for nourishment, stability, and growth. This makes it a supportive element if you’re struggling with anxiety or if you want to focus on self care.

Metal: White, metallics

Metal is thought of as one of the more ideal colors for a kitchen because it’s related to cleanliness and purity, which is important for the food we earth. We want clean, healthy, pure food with vibrant life energy.

Water: Black and dark midnight blue

Water can help to support wisdom and flexibility. It strengthens our ability to go with the flow and to be less rigid. It can also represent our social connections to other people.

Wood: Green, teal, blue

Wood represents vitality and healing. It’s a great color if you need a healthy boost of qi. Wood is also connected to kindness and open-heartedness.

Fire: Red

Fire symbolizes how you show up in the world. It’s your vitality and passion for things, and how people see you. Fire is a great element to work with if you would like to be more visible.

Maybe one of the qualities of the five elements spoke to you, and you can find a way to bring this into your kitchen. It doesn’t have to be a big change—you can try out something small like a napkin or a mug. As you introduce a color, work with the intention of bringing in the quality of that element that you want to invite.

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". If you have personal questions, we encourage you to check out Practical Feng Shui or hire one of Anjie's Grads.

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Feng Shui & Color: Green and Blue

Guest User March 3, 2021

Color is a simple and powerful way to shift the energy of a space. Just think about how you feel walking into a bedroom that’s painted bright pink versus a similar room painted in deep charcoal gray. Also, there are so many possibilities when it comes to introducing color into your home, so it can be a fun way to get creative with your space!

Today, I want to talk about green and blue. Greens, blues, and teals are associated with hope, new beginnings, and growth. They’re tied to the wood element in feng shui, which represents vitality and healing.

Green and blue are also calming and relaxing. They can be tranquil, healthy, and restorative, and soothing for the eyes. They’re balancing colors that are often found in nature, in trees, plants, and the sky. There have even been scientific studies where people have healed much more quickly when they have views of nature.

In feng shui, wood element colors like green and blue represent life energy and are connected to the Zhen or new beginnings area of the bagua. Green is also related to the heart chakra, and blue to the throat chakra.

Greens and blues are great colors to choose for wall paint. They work well in most rooms, and the softer versions of these hues are especially good for bedrooms and other areas where you want to rest. In more public rooms like your living room, you can use stronger tones, like vibrant teals, to invigorate, refresh, and promote conversation.

Another way to introduce green and blue is through crystals in these colors, like turquoise, aquamarine, and malachite. You can also add green in the form of plants, which promote growth and healing.

As you’re thinking about how you want to use colors in your home, make sure to follow your own preferences and intuition. We all have different associations with particular colors, and the most important thing to remember is that the colors in your home should feel good to you.

by Anjie Cho