Make Small Rooms Feel Larger
By Mary Ward
Photo: © IPN Relay
 Creating the illusion of more space can be a challenge but with a little strategic decorating you really can makeover your small room to make it feel larger.
The Basics - Remember that continuous lines, solid colors and light create a feeling of distance and openness, while dark colors, clutter and bright patterns close in and bring about a busy feel.
A Focal Point - Begin your decorating project by standing at the entrance of the room you would like to change. Look to the farthest point and create a focal point there—something to draw attention across the distance of the room. Make this the most attractive part of the room.
Clutter - Clutter disrupts continuity and makes a room feel busy. Storage space is always limited in small rooms but closet organizers and shelves are good for housing those items that end up lying around. Labeled tote boxes stack neatly in closets or under beds.
Floors, Walls, and Ceiling - To make the most of a small room, choose flooring or carpeting that is a solid, neutral color. Avoid throw rugs because they break up the uniformity of a room and cause it to feel smaller. |
Floors and walls should be the same color and clutter-free to create a feeling of openness. A white ceiling will make a room feel more spacious.
Lighting - Light creates openness and sets a cheerful mood. Open up windows to an outdoor view and allow in more light. Add extra lighting in any dark corners.
Furniture - Choose a few small, delicate pieces of furniture in light, textured, solid colored coverings. Look for soothing tones like creams, yellows, or light blues and greens. Create uniformity by going monochromic. Do not overcrowd a small room.
Window Treatments - Light, sheer curtains don’t obstruct the view to the outdoors and they allow in more light. Ceiling to floor curtains create the illusion of depth in a room.
Accessories - This is where you can bring color into your neutral décor. Make use of colorful throw pillows and a few knick-knacks. Strategically placed hanging plants will extend ceilings and create a sense of the outdoors. Elegant mirrors are great for creating depth and scenic wall murals provide the feeling of nature with its wide-open spaces.
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