In large cities where space is at a premium, many people have to settle for homes and apartments that are smaller than what they had hoped for. Even in a large and spacious house, one particular room may not be as large as the owner would like. However, smaller living spaces have a lot of charm, and they offer the added benefit of giving you less to clean and keep up. In addition, there are a number of simple steps you can take to make even the tiniest of spaces look roomy and inviting. Try some of these tips to make your small living area look larger.
Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
Light colors are one of the easiest ways to make a room look bigger. White is a popular choice, but if you want your room to have a little more personality, pale, cool colors like light blue or green also have the same effect. When choosing room accessories like rugs and curtains, try to match them to the walls, and avoid very dark shades. Light-colored furniture can also help make a room appear larger, but you can almost certainly get away with including a few dark or bright pieces for contrast.
Clear Away Clutter
Having too many things in a room is a sure fire way to make it look smaller and more cramped than it actually is. Make sure that all small items have a place, and that as many of them as possible are packed away out of sight. This does not mean that you have to throw away or donate a lot of your belongings, though this is a good way to reduce clutter if you have several year’s worth of accumulated stuff that you rarely use. These days, creative storage solutions can help you solve your clutter problem in innovative ways, but if you do feel ready to tackle your clutter and begin a ruthless clear-out, be sure to find a company offering roll off dumpster rental Huntsville (or wherever is local to you) to make the process as easy and efficient as possible.
Open Up the Center of the Room
Push furniture against the walls to create a wide-open space in the center of the room. Try to open up paths between all the doorways leading into and out of the space so you don’t have to twist and turn in order to get through. Simply being able to walk freely will make you feel like the room is a lot larger than it is.
Place a Mirror or Two
Choose a central focal point in the room and place a large mirror or several smaller mirrors so that they are angled toward it. Mirrors perform two important tasks. Firstly, they give the illusion of more space in the room, and secondly they reflect natural light so the room looks larger and more airy.
Choose Plain Patterns
Too many frills and complicated patters often serve to make a room look cluttered. Choose solid colored upholstery, curtains, and bedspreads. If you want to add interesting details, choose unique patterns woven directly into the fabric rather than colors. You should also limit the amount of artwork and other decorations you have on display.
A small living space doesn’t have to feel cramped. With just a few minor changes, you can open it up and make it look spacious and inviting.
Photo Credit: www.intermatic.com