Portland OR. Interior Design Company

If you feel the need to stretch out in your small space, we have some decorating tips to make the area look and feel larger without moving any walls! With color, furniture arranging, and interesting lighting, your space won’t feel so cramped.

Image via House Beautiful

These tips will work for your small space.

• Clear Out the ClutterImage via Quality Bath
  There’s nothing that makes a small space feel cramped more than having too much stuff. Work out ways to get collections out of view, organized behind doors and table skirts, or on shelves. With things neatly arranged and out of sight, the space that is in view will feel orderly and open.

• Open the WayImage via National Association of Home Builders
  With furniture and accessories blocking the view into a room and out to open spaces, a room will look cramped. By moving furniture out and away from walkways, you’ll open up the space and make it feel larger. You can also choose short pieces of furniture like an ottoman, an armless, open chair, or a low table, and place large, tall pieces along a wall rather than out in the open space. If you can see the floor, the room will look larger.

• Choose Soft, Light HuesImage via Examiner
  Whereas dark, warm colors make a space feel cozy and intimate, light, cool colors make a space feel open and airy. For optimum effect, select soft tones of blues and greens.

• Use a Monochromatic Color SchemeImage via Eclectic Revisited
  Choose colors that are in the same color family.  Cool colors and delicate warm colors on most surfaces give the room a more open look.

• Coordinate Wall and Furniture ColorsImage via About.com
  Contrasting colors tend to break up a space. Pieces of furniture are less interrupting and tend to blend with the space if they’re colored to match the wall color.

• Let in the LightImage via Daily Dream Decor
  Any room will look larger if it’s well-lit, either by natural light or artificial lighting. Get rid of heavy draperies and open up the windows to let the light of the outdoors into the space. Add more lamps or install track lighting or recessed lighting.  Check out our DIY: The Well Lit Room blog from last week for even more help in this area!

• Reflective SurfacesImage via Freshome
  You might not like the look of a mirrored wall.  Instead, use a large framed mirror on a wall or stand an over-sized framed mirror against a wall. You’ll get the same room-enlarging effect as a mirrored wall, but with more style. The space and the light will be reflected for a more open feeling.

• Airy, Light FabricsImage via Devine Decorating Results

Sheer fabrics allow light to pass through window treatments, bed skirts, table covers, and furniture slipcovers. If you want something other than plain colors, find soft floral vines or simple stripes to keep the look simple.

If you follow some of these simple rules about decorating a small space, your home will feel comfortable, not cramped. You’ll have an intimate space that suits all your needs.

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