Just because a room is small, does not mean that it has to be dull, cluttered, or unusable. By using creative lighting, storage, design, color and decoration techniques, you can create a very attractive and usable space in a small area.
Design Inspiration: Keep it simple in a small room to avoid making the room look crowded or cluttered. Floating shelves, simple lamps, a single rug, and minimal throw pillows will help the room to look larger. Try using a large mirror on the wall instead of a large painting or photograph. Mirrors can create the illusion of more space. Empty corners also make a room seem larger. Instead of end tables or corner tables, try to get away with a simple coffee table. The more flat and empty spaces you can leave, the better the room will look. Add just enough decoration, such as flowers, candles, or books, to create the feel that you want without cluttering the room.
Color Inspiration: People used to believe that dark walls made a room feel smaller. However, a dark accent wall can make a room seem larger. It draws the eye to a part of the room that normally you wouldn’t be drawn to look at. This “looking around” effect makes the room seem bigger to you. The darkness also disguises where the wall ends, making your brain think that maybe it recesses further back than you thought. Dark floors make ceilings feel taller and dark furniture keeps a room simplistic and not “overly decorated”.
Lighting Inspiration: Lamps give a room a warm feel and track lighting helps to illuminate key elements or light colored walls in the room. These things give each small detail meaning, making the whole room seem more significant. Even a boring laundry room can seem luxurious with the right lighting. Installing interesting lighting is relatively inexpensive and can make a big difference in a small room. Don’t forget to take advantage of the natural light in the room. Use sheer curtains, if any. If there isn’t a window in the room, use a mirror to reflect a window from another room.
Organization Inspiration: If you need to use your small room often, you will inevitably need some storage space. Many couches and chairs are now made with hidden storage areas underneath the padded arm rests. You can find ottomans, coffee tables, and even entire couches whose cushions lift up to reveal storage. If you don’t have a closet, hang a decorative hanging rod by the room’s entrance for your guests’ coats and jackets. Stock it with interesting or high end clothes hangers, like walnut and brass hardwood hangers, to match your room’s décor. If you do have a closet, you can use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to make the most of the small space.
About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.
