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Art of light and layers: Tips to living large in small spaces 

Art of light and layers: Tips to living large in small spaces 
Tiny living areas can feel grand with smart choices—lighting, colour, texture, and care turn any space into a beautiful, breathable home. PHOTO/Pexels

Today, tiny homes are all the rage, whether it’s a bedsitter in Githurai, a studio flat in Westlands, or a modest townhouse tucked behind the busy road in Mombasa.

Urban rent has skyrocketed, land seems to be shrinking, and many of us are rethinking what we truly need in our homes.

Nonetheless, limited square footage should not have to feel cramped or uninspired. With thoughtful choices in lighting, colour and layers, even the tiniest flat or a bedsitter can feel spacious, warm and uniquely yours.

If you have ever stood in a crowded room and wished for an extra wall to push things out, this is for you.

Here’s how to make your cosy home feel bigger without the need for a contractor or any expensive renovations. 

Lighting 

Light is your greatest ally while working with small spaces. Natural light makes any room feel open and alive.

Start by freeing your windows. This can be done by pulling back heavy drapes, replacing them with light, sheer curtains, or even simple blinds that can be lifted during the day.

If you live on the top floor of any apartment, you can always choose to leave your living room windows uncovered, making it easier to admire the views outside.

If you live in a flat that hardly sees direct silent, you can mimic daylight by layering soft, warm lights.

A single overhead bulb often casts shadows that make a room feel boxed in. Add floor lamps, table lamps or even a strand of warm fairy lights.

These create cosy pockets of light that make your space feel bigger and more inviting. Mirrors are also a great source of light.

Placing a large mirror opposite a window doubles the light you have and tricks the eye into thinking the room is larger.

Even a small decorative mirror can bounce brightness into dark corners. 

Colour  

Colour choices can easily transform a room from boxed in to open and airy. Lighter colours such as whites, off-whites and light greys can reflect light and expand a space visually.

Many Kenyan apartments have plain cream walls by default, but instead of seeing them as boring, think of them as a bright, blank canvas.

Add your personality through pops of colour in soft furnishings like cushions, throws, rugs, or local art.

Tiny living areas can feel grand with smart choices—lighting, colour, texture, and care turn any space into a beautiful, breathable home. PHOTO/Pexels
Tiny living areas can feel grand with smart choices—lighting, colour, texture, and care turn any space into a beautiful, breathable home. PHOTO/Pexels

Ankara fabrics, woven baskets or beaded wall hangings are beautiful ways to bring in vibrant Kenyan craft without overpowering the space.

If you want to experiment with paint, try a single accent wall.

Muted greens, sandy beiges, or green blues can add warmth and depth without shrinking your room. 

Textures 

Layers make a small home feel curated and cosy, not cluttered.

Use textiles to create comfort and depth by using layered rugs that define spaces, even within a single room.

A fluffy rug under a coffee table instantly carves out a living area in a bedsitter.

You can also add throw blankets for texture, mix up your cushions in different fabrics, and use woven baskets or crates for stylish storage.  

Furniture 

Every piece of furniture in a small room should earn its place and ideally serve more than one purpose.

A bed with built-in storage underneath can hide shoes, clothes, or spare bedding. An ottoman can store books and double as a side table.

When buying or repurposing furniture, think slim and light. Bulky sofas or oversized wardrobes dominate small spaces.

Pieces with slim legs, open sides, or glass tops help a room breathe and allow light to flow through.  

Declutter 

A small space demands discipline. Clutter usually builds up fast in a snug home, but decluttering does not have to feel like such a hard thing to do.

See it as an act of kindness to yourself and your home. Start with what you do not need daily, such as old clothes, unused kitchen gadgets, and forgotten books.

Sell them, donate them or gift them. Keep only what you truly use or love.

Simple habits help too. Make your bed every morning, return things to their rightful place, and always clean up after yourself.

Small acts keep a small space peaceful. 

Nature 

No space is too small for a touch of green.

Plants are the ultimate small space luxury. A potted plant on a windowsill, herbs in old tin cans on your balcony, or a trailing hanging plant by the bed all breathe life into a tiny home.

Plants not only clean the air but bring calm to the busiest minds. If you worry about upkeep, choose hardy plants like snake plants, spider plants or succulents, which thrive on little care. 

Art 

One bold oversized art piece makes a tiny room feel larger and more intentional as it becomes a focal point.

It draws the eye up or across the wall, creating a sense of depth and spaciousness.

Instead of your eye bouncing around cluttered, tiny frames, it lands on one statement piece that makes the space feel organised.

Some large pieces with light colours or reflective materials, like framed prints with glass, can bounce light around the room, enhancing the sense of airiness.

That single bold gesture can make a small space feel grand. 

Flooring 

When it comes to small spaces, the floor beneath your feet does more than you think.

One of the simplest ways to make a tiny home feel bigger is to use the same flooring throughout.

Different floor types in every room chop up your space visually, but when your living area, kitchen and hallway share the same flooring, your eye glides smoothly from one zone to the next.

Light-coloured floors reflect more natural light, making your home feel airy and bright.

For those renting homes that have already mixed-up floors, you can choose to use large rugs and carpets to fix the problem. 

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