Decorating Small Spaces: 12 Ways to Make Small Rooms Look Bigger

Decorating Small Spaces: 12 Ways to Make Small Rooms Look Bigger

If you have a small room that feels closed in, here are some tips to make the room look and feel bigger and more open:

1. Use cooler paint colors on the walls (blues, grays, cool beiges). Cool colors recede, making the room look larger. Warmer colors advance and create a cozy but more closed in feeling.

2. Using the same color on moldings and trim as on the walls will expand the space. You can go even further and use the same color on major furniture pieces as the walls. Add visual interest to the monochromatic color scheme with different textures or punches of color from throw pillows and accessories.

3. Choose curtains or window treatments that maximize natural light (sheers or light colored panels). Skip the heavy drapes in dark fabrics.

4. Use recessed lighting instead of hanging fixtures to give the impression of a higher ceiling and a cleaner look.

5. Use the highest recommended wattage in light fixtures - 100 watts, if possible. Putting them on dimmers allows you to control the brightness.

6. Use fewer, larger (but not oversized) pieces of furniture instead of several smaller pieces. This will provide a cleaner, less cluttered look.

7. Using upholstered furniture with exposed legs (vs. skirted) will create the illusion of more space.

8. Use glass table tops for coffee tables or dining tables.

9. Install the same flooring throughout the space to maximize flow. Mixing flooring types or using area rugs visually chops up the space.

10. Consider removing the doors between rooms of living areas to open up the space.

11. If you have a good view, hang a large mirror or group of mirrors opposite the window. The mirror will "read" as another window, expanding the space and bringing in more light.

12. Keep table and counter surfaces relatively clean. Don't let accessories dominate, as the space will appear busy and cluttered.

About the Author
Anne West is owner of Redesign Doctor, a full-service home staging and interior redesign firm on Chicago's North Shore. Redesign Doctor provides budget-friendly decorating solutions by creatively using the furniture and accessories a homeowner already has to transform interior spaces. For more information on interior redesign, visit http://www.redesigndoctor.com

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