Garden Office Blog

Small Space Style

Small Space Style

By Francesca McGlone on 4th August, 2010

Decorated Shed offers scaled down buildings that are easily accommodated into an existing garden. Although their various designs provide ample space, in which to conduct various activities, their compact size offers the opportunity to be savvy with space. Interior design is a means of creating an instant ambience that enhances existing attributes. The erection of garden buildings can actually enable the availability of extra space. Therefore making the most of potential space is crucial in benefiting fully. Interior design decisions can make a vast difference to the perception of space. The pleasure associated with creating can be experienced, while embracing the message associated with the Decorated Shed identity.

Whether the garden buildings are used to socialise, work or relax; the cosy warmth and intimacy that is part of each design's charm is a valuable asset that is unapparent within the vast volume of a larger space. It could be said that space is used in more exciting ways as it is more valuable, rather than existing as non-descript entities. By avoiding a cloistered environment, space is imaginatively created, which in turn creates a room that is well thought out, almost becoming an artwork of balance and character. Decoration is one of the most effective ways of altering a room's image, cleverly creating illusory effects that seem to stretch the dimensions of a room. For example, furniture can be placed at angles so that the longest length of any room, being its diagonal measurement is used so that the eye is drawn along the longest line rather than the shorter lines of surrounding walls. Oversized furniture and clutter should be avoided as it will consume valuable space unnecessarily.

The colour palette that is chosen is a major consideration when creating the illusion of space. Lighter colours are known to create space but where they are applied can make subtle differences. However, other distance colours such as blue and green, associated with the sky, ocean and vast fields can be used to draw the eye out from the middle of the room to be applied to insets, such as the back of bookcases and wall nooks. A mixture of both lighter and darker colours creates depth within a room, as light objects appear closer, while darker objects appear further away. The sheen upon a painted surface also contributes to the illusion of space, as high gloss finishes reflect the light, revealing that the accumulation of considered choices can have a high impact upon achieving spacious dimensions.

Lighting is the most obvious solution in creating a floodlit expanse. The entrance of daylight is most effective in recreating the vastness of outdoor space, where light carries on from the outside and into the room. Each garden building is already devoted to daylight, with glass panels acting as portals to the outside. The ability to maximise existing daylight comes in the form of reflective surfaces, such as leather, glass, polished wood and metal which can all be successfully incorporated into an interior's style. In terms of electric light, soft even light works best to illuminate every inch of available space, including shadowy corners, which may trim the boundaries of existing rooms. Placing lights next to walls also ensures light is reflected and avoids the glare from windows. Outside lighting can also give the illusion that indoor space is spilling into outdoor space, especially at night. String lights draped across trees or hung from buildings to outside fixtures can have the desired effect of creating tangible connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, melding the two together.

Decoration that focuses on de-cluttering mimics the workings of the mind, as provisions of space are created in order to assimilate new ideas. The garden office is a clear example of the productive benefits of creating a de-cluttered environment that matches the mind's ability to expand and provide the creative freedom to formulate fresh ideas without oppressive restrictions.


Category:  Garden Designs

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