Modern homes are smaller and more elegant than the sprawling homes of the past. Rather than be concerned about smaller spaces, learn to embrace them. Maximizing your small space is easy if you follow a few simple design techniques.
Avoid Clutter - The number one enemy of any small space design is clutter. Having lots of little accessories or just the clutter of daily life on surfaces will visually bury the design of the room. Hidden storage such as an ottoman that doubles as a storage box can help you to eliminate clutter while still keeping needed items handy.
Open Up the Room - Keep halls and walkways clear of furniture. Even large accessories that visually block a room can cause the room to lose focus and break up an otherwise elegant design theme.
Keep Furnishings Simple, Not Small - If you use simply designed and elegant furniture, the size of the furniture won't be a concern. A common mistake that people make when decorating a small space is to use too many small pieces of furniture rather than a few larger pieces.
Choose Color Carefully - Using light colors in your home will make your home appear larger than it is. Choosing several colors within the same color family, creating a monochromatic color palette, will go even further to create the illusion of more space. Coordinating your wall color with the color of the furniture will also continue to create the illusion of more space.
Create Focal Points - Choose just one or two coordinating focal points. A focal point can be something large like a painting or a dramatic light fixture, or something small like a decorative bowl or small sculpture.
Use Good Lighting - A well-lit room will create the illusion of more space. Modern light fixtures such as recessed lights and directional lighting such as uplights and downlights can help to draw the eye to focal points around your home. Even the natural sunlight that comes through your windows during the day will make your home more bright and vibrant.
Incorporate Reflective Surfaces - Placing a mirror in a small room in order to create the illusion of more space is a design trick that most people have heard of. What you may not know is that any surface that reflects light, such as glass table tops, decorative glass accents, and even metal surfaces, create the same effect, but in a more subtle way.
Consider Embracing the Size of a Small Room - Not all small spaces need to be maximized. If you have a room in which you want to create a cozy and more intimate feel, follow your instincts. Use darker colors and warmer, less vibrant lighting to enhance the mood.
Personalize Your Space - Incorporate elements of your life, personality and style into your home design. Not only will you and your family feel more at home, but when friends visit, they notice the elements that remind them of you rather than the size of the room.
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