For first time homebuyers and baby boomers looking to downsize, condos and smaller homes can be a viable option.
They require less maintenance and support a more financially and environmentally sustainable lifestyle making them attractive to both the budget conscious and those with an active, socially aware lifestyle. Still the question inevitably arises, where do I put all my stuff? Here are some tips for decorating and visually "enlarging" small spaces.
These cellular shades add style but not bulk!
Windows
When dressed correctly, windows can be a strong tool for visually enlarging a small room. Leave windows bare or dress them with draperies that match the color of the walls to open the space. For privacy, install simple shades or blinds that can be pulled out of the way during the day. In addition, to make windows seem taller, hang draperies just below the ceiling; to widen windows visually, extend draperies beyond the window frame.
Furniture
If your space is too small to meet all your needs, make it multi-task. A sofa bed is a great way to accommodate guests without a guest room. For more storage hang floating wall shelves in favor of standing shelves. Use an ottoman with storage inside to hide away papers and knick-knacks. And choose a drop leaf table with wheels that can expand to accommodate more diners or partially collapse and be easily moved out of the way when not in use.
Small spaces are quickly overwhelmed by large or overstuffed furnishings. Choose neatly upholstered pieces with compact frames and slimmed-down, leggy pieces without skirted bottoms that allow you to see through them to the walls and floors.
The epitome of small space comfort, a day bed.
Create a sense of movement and make a room feel larger by floating big furnishings away from walls. Allowing air space between the wall and seating pieces gives the impression of depth and more room. Another option is to place furniture in the corners of rooms at an angle and use the space behind to stash baskets of extra linens, toys, crafts supplies, or whatever else you need to store.
Add round elements to a small, square room. Soft edges, instead of rigid corners, turns small into cozy.
Accessories & Color
To give a room the illusion of spaciousness use white or another light color on the walls. White surfaces bounce light around the room, keeping a small space feeling bright and open. Use dark accent pieces to anchor the space without constricting it. And don't underestimate the power of a few well placed mirrors!
When it comes to small spaces, too many colors can be chaotic. Select a few and stick with them. Painting the single wall a dark color also creates the illusion of
Go big and go...home!
depth in the room. And be careful not to fill a small room to the brim with accessories. A handful of well-chosen and well-placed accessories is all it takes to give a small room a layer of sophistication.
One oversize piece of art can create a strong focal point that actually opens a small room. To the contrary, multiple pieces scattered around the room make the room feel cluttered and small.
Small spaces have every bit as much potential as larger spaces, they just require a different mindset. But what they lack in size they make up for in comfort and coziness, so have fun and explore all the creative ways there are to dress up and diversify the functionality of your home!
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