A blank page: how to make the most of white space

Space is one of the most premium commodities in our cities. We pay high rates per sq. ft. to purchase space... but then we fill it up.

A client, who has given me a lot of life advice over the years, once told me this golden mantra for his Duplex in Colaba - that "I have paid more for this space than I have for the possessions I will fill it up with and that the ability to leave space empty speaks more for luxury than anything else".

These words have stayed with me - and not only from the perspective of luxury, but also from the idea of clutter-free spaces that calm the mind and recharge our creative abilities.

And not only will it calm your mind, it will also make carefully selected design elements pop. What is there is framed by what is not there. The The design goal must be to make the space feel in balance — the perfect amount of furniture, art and accessories so that it feels sophisticated and interesting.

Steps to dealing with white space:

1. Clear off space and reflect on it. Start with the bare minimum requirements and build from there.

2. Place items within the space to balance them out in terms of utility, size, colour, aesthetics and sentimental importance to you. I have 2 paintings made by my aunt and my living room scheme revolves around those.

3. If it feels in harmony and if it feels right to you, stick with it. Else don't force yourself to live with it. It's your space, you can change it.

4. Don't be afraid to experiment and don't be afraid of change.

5. If something is not working, don't be afraid to get rid of it. You achieve 2 goals : a clutter-free space and the warmth of donating things that may be right for someone else.

6. Let your instincts guide you rather than a pinterest board.

7. Have fun while planning your space. Your frame of mind will determine the final vibes you get from the space. :)

Happy planning! And remember - less is more.

#whitespace #design