You don’t need a big home to create space

According to mortgage originators ooba, the average purchase-price growth among first-time home buyers was strong at 12,1% in June this year.

First-time home owners are, however, restricted to buying a small home or apartment to get into the property market.

According to Linda Rall, KwaZulu-Natal sales manager at ooba, first-time buyers should still consider investing in that cosy apartment, while creating a greater sense of space for living comfort:

The reflective value of light is essential — dark colours absorb light and shrink already small areas.

Bright, pale-coloured walls will create an impression of height and depth. Natural light penetrates an interior space of up to 7m.

Investing in mirrors and mirrored surfaces such a counters and coffee tables is a good idea, creating depth by replicating light and creating an illusion of scale.

An impression of continuity and flow is also important, so avoid clutter.
In the evening, you can generate volume by spreading a few lamps throughout a room, or use a mix of lights, like down-lighters, standing or desk lamps to bounce different lights off surfaces.

Don’t buy dark and bulky furniture, and get rid of any extraneous pieces of furniture.

Objects that serve more than one function are good space-savers, like sleeper couches and storage boxes forming part of coffee tables.

Opt for furniture with legs that are not too high or “boxy”. Not only will this create space, it will improve the functionality of the room and make it appear less crowded.

Place furniture along the walls, not in the centre of the room. Keep the walkways and floor clear.

Use plain, textured carpets rather than heavily patterned ones as they define space and create an impression of continuity.

Window dressings should be kept simple. Blinds and curtains should be hung from midway, between the ceiling and the top of the window and should not appear too voluminous.