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Still can’t figure out why your humble abode looks extremely small even after rounds of moving the furniture?
Here are 10 furniture pieces that could be the reason why:
1. Large accent pieces
Accent pieces are meant to make a statement or bring focus in a room, but if you've got one too many, it makes your space look cluttered and messy.
2. Opaque furniture
Dark wood furniture and other opaque and heavily coloured pieces can make a space look smaller. Instead get more acrylic or glass-type furniture to give your space a sense of airiness.
3. Skirted sofas
They're pretty to look at, but skirted sofas can appear boxy and visually take up a lot of space. Instead, get sofas that have legs that lift the furniture away from the floor. The negative space between the sofa and floor provides an illusion of a bigger space.
4. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases
Despite how fabulous they look in a spacious house, these bookcases can really take up a large chunk of space in an HDB flat home, especially when you don't have a high ceiling.
5. Doors
If you've got several doors or walls that segment the house, it might make the space look smaller. Doors tend to block out light and can make a room seem stuffy too.
6. Patterned sofas and furniture
Heavily patterned furniture tends to stand out more and can make a space look smaller too. Opt for a textured sofa that's neutral coloured to keep things interesting while still maintaining a sense of space.
7. Light-absorbing furniture
Filling a house with dark furniture that absorbs light can also make a space seem smaller because of the dimming effect.
8. One-use furniture items
Don't be tempted to get furniture meant for just one purpose, for example, a decorative piece that's too fancy to double as anything else. One-use funiture items do nothing for a small space!
9. Disproportionate furniture
An oversized chair or table can make a room look miniscule. The rule of thumb is to make sure that all your furniture pieces are similar in scale and can complement the room well. Otherwise, consider having one large sofa and smaller nesting tables.
10. Duplicates
Having two tables, each at one end of the sofa, can really take up a lot of unnecessary space while making your home look cramped. Do away with duplicates — not everything has to be symmetrical!
Adapted from The Singapore Women's Weekly.