COLOUR CONFIDENCE
Compact rooms have their own special type of charm says Sophie Robinson, who believes that with a bit of clever thinking and design savvy, you can create a gorgeous space that feels like a hug
Here’s something you don’t hear very many people say: ‘Small rooms are my favourite’. In a world of bigger being better, we’re encouraged to knock down our walls, add enormous, glassy extensions and paint everything white to enhance the light. But my favourite spaces are often the smallest. The guest bedroom, the downstairs loo and, of course, the snug. And though these cosy spaces can be wonderful, they need to be handled in the right way. So, let’s get into the how!
1 DON’T BE AFRAID OF DARK SHADES
For any successful room design, always start with the feeling you wish to create. If you’re going for cosy, a bold, deep colour will deliver that in spades. ‘But won’t it feel dark?’ you cry. And yes, it will reduce the sense of natural light during the day, but that’s no bad thing if you plan to use the room as aTV snug, like we do.
2 KEEP LIGHTING AMBIENT AND ADAPTABLE
The essential partner to any darkly decorated room is lighting, and you need to illuminate shadowy corners to bring them to life. Lamps and wall lights do this best. I like to put them all on a dimmer switch and turn them down low, creating a warm and mesmeric atmosphere.
3 SUPERSIZE FURNITURE FOR A LUXE FEEL
Choosing pieces for a compact room usually means going for small-scale options to help enhance the feeling of space. But I went oversized instead and ordered a 4m x 2.5m made-to-measure corner sofa that fits the room perfectly. This means we can have lots of people together and, better still, lounge in luxury when it’s just the three of us.
4 USE POPS OF COLOUR FOR CONTRAST
Along with the sumptuous aubergine walls, the palette in my snug also features sunset shades of lilac, pink and burnt orange. It doesn’t all have to be sultry; one thing I love about a dark interior is how colour pops against it, so don’t be afraid to do something unexpected with a bright fabric footstool or striking artwork .
5 LAYER PLUSH TEXTURES TO ADD WARMTH
Super-soft ve
