Most homes in the city are not known for their enormous amount of square footage. Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped people from wanting to live there. Designing for small spaces can be quite challenging. There are plenty of creative ways to make a small room look larger and less crowded. The question is, are you ready for your creativity to be challenged?
Searching for inventive and resourceful ways to add more functional area to a space doesn’t have to be complicated if you remember the basics of design. By using paint, lighting, window treatments and accessories you can achieve the illusion that you have a greater area of living space.
Start with Wall Color
Painting the walls is one of the easiest ways to transform the look of your room and make the greatest impact … plus, it’s inexpensive. You can find a large color array of paints that will broaden and brighten any room. Lighter shades of blue and green are very serene colors. These can bring a relaxing tranquil feel. Bright yellows and crisp orange will bring energy, liveliness and warmth to an area. These are impeccable examples of the perfect colors for an accent wall. Then there are unique shades of gray and white. If used with the right design theme, these choices can add that airy an open feel without being stark and industrial.
Proper Placement of Lighting
Lighting can make a dramatic change by illuminating areas of a room that you want to highlight. Recessed lighting is extremely popular especially above art work dramatically illuminating hallways. Pendant lighting can be great for small kitchens and above cozy breakfast bars. Hang pendant lighting above the night stands in your bedroom. These can take the place of traditional lamps. Remember, lighting will always draw your eye to a certain place in a room so it’s important to highlight areas that show off the architecture and unique furniture details. Don’t forget to install dimming switches with your light fixtures since soft lighting always compliments any space.
Window Treatments
When selecting fabric for your windows, you should consider selecting fabrics that are similar to your wall color. For instance, use caramel or honey taffeta drapery panels against the palest buttery wall. Applying this design concept in any small space will keep your eyes moving in a room. Too much contrast will draw the eye to any color breaks along the wall.
Another idea for increasing visual space is giving your windows a taller look. If you have windows that are not as tall as you would like, simply hang your drapery hardware much higher than your window. This trick is to accent the height of your windows by giving the illusion of taller windows and ceilings. Overall, it will help increase the visual size of the room.
If you don’t have an option to install a window why not paint an outdoor scene on your walls? Using a painting that creates the illusion of another room tricks the eye. Hang an old window frame above a bed or sitting area. You’ll be amazed how this will create depth and character.
Choosing the Right Interior Accessories
You’ll want to choose items that carry a certain amount of weight to the room but don’t overwhelm it. Use an attractive fruit bowl on a dining table, add a pillar candle to your coffee table and hang large artwork above your fire place to give your room a focal point. Mirrors are ideal for small spaces because these work like a window. Windows can create the appearance of another room. You can’t go wrong if you remember to keep the room simple and don’t overwhelm the space.