BIG IDEAS, Small Spaces

“Making the most of a small space can be a challenge—but it’s also an opportunity to be creative. Here are some designer secrets on how to live large in a compact room. First, make a plan. Adding pieces without thinking ahead can create a cluttered, nonfunctional room. Decide what you need, then measure—and buy—carefully.”


8 Tips for Decorating Small Spaces

1. Think double-duty. Small-space living works best when furniture can serve more than one purpose. Look for clever pieces that morph from one use to another, like a table that raises and lowers in height or footstools that act as storage.


Rockwell Adjustable Table 30"

2. Keep colors simple. Too much color can create a busy, unstructured design. Try using a basic neutral palette, then bring in strong accents in small doses to keep it interesting. Mix up the wall color a bit by using a slightly darker shade of the same color on one wall or architectural feature—subtle but effective.

Dimple Vases

3. Add texture and pattern. If you like a monochromatic look, keep it interesting by varying textures, from nubby and shaggy to brushed and velvety. Patterns can help, too. A large-scale motif on an accent piece can add real drama to a small room. Try a diagonal design on a rug to visually increase floor space. And speaking of rugs, choose one that covers some square footage. A small one can look like a postage stamp instead of an anchor for a furniture arrangement.


Illusion Pillow- Turquoise 22"

4. Reflect your surroundings. Mirrors can do wonders in a small space. Place them so they reflect something worth seeing. Reflecting the light and the view is a great way to increase visual space. Pick a frame that coordinates with other furnishings and makes a design statement on its own.

Asher Mirror

5. Go big on seating. Part of the plan can definitely include a larger couch that offers extra seating for guests. Just avoid one with a clunky back and arms features that will take up space without adding anything useful to the room.



Mercer Queen Settee- Pewter

6. Hang ’em high. Installing draperies close to the ceiling gives the illusion of high ceilings; installing panels beyond the sides makes windows and walls seem wider. To pull together mismatched windows, hang draperies at the same height. A wall of sheers can also soften a window wall and give it a cohesive, expansive look.


10' Curtain Chocolate

7. See beyond. Think about using lamps with crystal or glass bases, Plexiglas accent tables, glass-topped coffee tables, or furniture with exposed legs so you can see under it. Incorporating any of these elements into a room will visually stretch the space.

8. Let in the light. Big and tall lamps work better in small spaces than a series of mismatched tiny lamps, and by sending light upward, they also add height. Remember the corners, too: If they’re dark, you’re reducing your livable square footage and making the room feel closed in.



Steeple Chaise Floor Lamp

(Article by Bernadette Baczynski /Quotes: Williams & Langdon /Posted 2-5-10 Ty Pennington at Home)

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