Inside Story: Short on space? Try these expert design tips

With today’s homes required for work, rest and play, space can be a problem. But - with the right knowhow - you can design your rooms to work harder, look bigger and feel brighter too, writes Cambridge interior designer Georgina Robertson

Even the biggest of homes often have smaller rooms or nooks that can sometimes cause a headache when it comes to design. Tiny spaces can often lead to compromises in practicality, arrangements, and design. However - with the right perspective, tools, and creative ideas – you can make the most of your rooms whether they are big or small. . .

Create Zones
This is key for making the most of large or small open-plan spaces. ‘Zoning’ the space will make you feel as though you have multiple rooms in one space. This is key to ensuring you don’t get bored of the space you do have. We’re used to multi-use spaces in the kitchen, dining and living spaces but you can also apply this same logic in other rooms as well. Whether you need a desk in your bedroom or playroom and bedroom for your child – zoning applies to any room and what you need to get out of your spaces to make them work for you and your lifestyle.

Let in the Light
Mirrors are our best friend when it comes to smaller spaces. Light on a mirror bounces light to the darkest corners of your room, so when hung properly, they create the illusion of more space and make your space look much bigger. Internal windows and glass doors can also help hugely with opening up your smaller spaces. When light can travel through rooms, even though the rooms are still small, they can feel less compact and enclosed.

Clever Storage
Storage, storage, storage! Anyone with a smaller home or flat will tell you custom storage is one of the most important investments you can make. Making the most of nooks, under the stairs, have a bench that doubles as storage or a media unit with cupboards built in. This isn’t only important so you can maximise your space, but also hiding any clutter you might have will help to make your space look bigger and feel more relaxing. Custom-built furniture and storage go hand-in-hand. Custom furniture can be tailored exactly to your needs and space, working perfectly for what suits you and the way you live.
Image: @georginarobertsoninteriors

Bold and Bright
In all spaces you can embrace colour and have fun but especially in smaller spaces this couldn’t be more apparent. In a smaller room you can try things you might not be brave enough to try in a bigger space. We often see lots of fun WCs with bright, bold wallpaper or colours that are a fun surprise in anyone’s home. Quite often in a smaller space, with a lower ceiling, it’s better to embrace the darker room and use a deeper colour. If it is a small, bright space, choose to embrace some colour!
Image: drench.co.uk

Meet the Designer
Georgina is the founder of Cambridge’s Georgina Robertson Interiors. With her grandma a seamstress, she was inspired by fabrics, colour and the concept of design creation from a young age. Growing up, she worked extensively with furnishing fabrics, learning bespoke curtain making and design. With an extensive career in marketing, Georgina then decided to pursue her passion and talent for interior design into creating sophisticated, luxury interiors. Find out more at georginarobertsoninteriors.com