Make Your Small Space Seem Spacious

Beauty is supposedly in the eye of the beholder, and lucky for those of us in tiny apartments, so is the feel of roominess. Here are a few tips to make your living area seem more spacious.

We’ve said it before and we’ll keep on saying – don’t underestimate the power of a large mirror. This is probably the easiest way to bring a bright roomy feel into a room. Go for one big one, especially if it can be hung opposite a window. The mirror will reflect that natural light giving off a beautiful bright feel. A creatively hung selection of small mirrors in interesting frames doubles as the same reflective surface and a wall hanging.

Don’t think you can only have tiny pieces of furniture; in fact you shouldn’t. Too much of anything makes a room feel cluttered and three to four seating pieces may give off a more claustrophobic vibe. Buy that big comfy sofa – you and your guests will appreciate it. If you can, don’t push your sofa against the wall; leaving space around it will make the room feel more spacious. Angle it in a corner perhaps but don’t stick it in the middle of the room; you don’t want to block moving space. Make sure you can see the floor under your furniture – tables and couches/chairs included. The more floor space you can see the roomy the entire space will feel so choose furnishings with slim legs that aren’t upholstered to the floor. Lucite and glass furniture act the same way.

The larger and fewer suggestion also applies to decorating. When adding pieces to tables or shelves, many decorators use the cantaloupe rule – don’t use anything small than the melon. Again, you are trying to keep the clutter out. And even if your home really isn’t ‘cluttered,’ too many pieces can make it feel busy and confusing. If you have shelving or cabinets make them tall; as tall as possible. This will draw a person’s eyes upward and give the impression you have high ceilings. Open shelving should have a mix of functional and decorative items but keep them neat and tidy.

Use whatever natural light is available. Natural light offers a more airy feel that electrical lighting can’t duplicate. Hang your curtains above the window frame; nearly to the ceiling is best and make sure they are from a light (in both color and fabric weight) material. Clean your windows too. Believe it or not, clean windows will let in more, almost fresher feeling light. Also, if you are able, switch out your overhead light fixture for something large and interesting. Getting rid of table lamps cuts down on clutter, and floor lamps take up valuable floor space.

When going for an overall color scheme; stick to the neutrals. It can seem boring, but often color will make a room seem cozy, which if you are going for spaciousness, is something you don’t want. Great popular neutral colors right now include silvery greys and soft blues. Get your color via throw pillows or a signature chair.