Make the Most of Your Small Space!

If you have a small space, don't fret; there are a number of tricks you can pull in your decorating to make your small room feel larger.

First of all, look up! Look at all the space between your windows and your ceiling. You can use this space to your advantage in a small room. Hang your draperies and other window treatments such as cornice boards at the highest point possible just below crown molding if you have it and it will draw the eye upward to the free flowing draperies that will appear long and lush and give the illusion of much larger window areas than you actually have in the room.

The furnishings in a room should be able to do dual duties. Have a large ottoman that can double as a table. When choosing cabinets or other items for your small room, make sure they have lots of interior storage space, that way you can get maximum usage from a piece of furniture that takes up little floor space. A cleverly used bookshelf can not only hold books but can work as a bar area as well as holding glasses and other items necessary to make martinis for an impromptu gathering of your friends.

Make your walls work for you. Add long mirrors on at least two connected walls. The mirrors will trick the viewer's eye into seeing more space in the room from the reflection of the mirrors and extending the room in the mind's eye.

Go for light colors. Lighter shades of color advance and make rooms seem larger. Darker colors recede and make rooms feel smaller. You can further expand on this idea by using lightly colored woods in your furnishings.
posted by Home Decor Experts - Accent Architecturals