Cut the clutter from home interiors

With many homes these days being smaller than previously, it has become essential to find ways of making interiors look bigger, says Mike Greeff, chief executive of Greeff Properties.

He suggests using some or all of the following steps to greatly improve a home's interior:

Everyone has furniture, knick-knacks, pictures and semi-obsolete items that serve no real or decorative purpose in the home. Decide to get them out of the way: store them, give them to your children or take them off to the auction houses.

Also, however, consider seriously rearranging the layout of the furniture to achieve space. This can be done if you make a point of breaking the furniture "boundaries" in the room.

Well-lit rooms automatically create a feeling of space and airiness.

Also, focusing your lighting network on certain spots creates the impression that there is an extra dimension beyond them. It is often possible to give a visitor to the room the feeling that there is ample space just beyond the light fringe - when in fact there is almost no space at all.

Try to use relatively few colours but make sure they harmonise. Be aware, again, that light, bright colours enhance a feeling of space.

If a room's walls are tiled and you think this creates a closed-in, cramped atmosphere, remember that it is possible to paint over tiles, again using light colours. This will be a great deal cheaper than retiling in lighter hues.

Until recently, people were reluctant to have two colours or different patterns on the same wall, but this can add character, interest and space to an interior.

If you want to increase the feeling of space, use horizontal lines. If you want to "heighten" the room, use vertical lines - and if you want to give a backdrop to a light, a vase or a picture, try a circle.

"These tips are particularly relevant when a home is about to be put on show. Spending a few hundred rands and preparing the home can very often make a significant difference to the impression it creates on visitors," says Greeff.

Weekend Property supplement (Saturday Argus)

Posted at 09:10AM May 31, 2010 by Editor in Residential  |