6 Ways To Make A Small Space Feel Larger

Decorating dilemmas come in all shapes and sizes – literally – as the size of a home can vary drastically from its neighbor. Although all sizes of homes face common ingredients when it comes to decorating, Interior Design for Small Spaces can be especially challenging due to its limited square footage – as compared to larger homes that boast oodles of footage allowing for more decorating options. However, with a few simple tricks of the trade, you’ll forget just how small your living area is and realize just how fabulous your home looks!

Small Living Area

Smaller Homes On The Rise

Although many of us might choose to live in a large home, the truth is that home builders are thinking smaller today. The average size of a new house is shrinking and it’s predicted it will continue to shrink in the upcoming years. According to the National Association of Home Builders, “experts expect the average home size in 2015 to be around 2,150 square feet”, – which is down from the 2,377 square feet that was considered average for a home built in 2010.

Setting that data aside – which doesn’t even take into a account apartments, condos, Urban Lofts or flats – your living area may be even smaller than the average that is sited by the NAHB. However, just because your square footage is limited, doesn’t mean your Interior Design has to be.

Making a Small Room Look Larger

Making a Small Room Look Larger

How to Make Your Small Space Feel Larger

  1. Focus on the Lighting: The right Lighting Design can cure all. By adjusting the positioning of your lighting you can literally make your space feel larger and cozier. When space is tight, opt for wall sconces or overhead lighting which will free up valuable floor space. Let natural light in as much as possible – avoiding blinds or heavy drapes (which diminishes the stature of a window) and is key in adding depth – the more you can see of the window the better, since it will create the ultimate illusion of space.
  2. De-clutter and Organize: Keeping your space organized and tidy will go a long way towards creating clean lines and adding a Feng Shui Style of design to your home. Less clutter means clearing off bookshelves, keeping table tops free of unnecessary ornamentation, clearing your kitchen counters from items that are rarely used, and generally stashing personal belongings that can crowd a room. If you need to keep certain things within your reach, invest in pretty little baskets to hide them from view and arrange the baskets neatly on counters, bookcases, etc.
  3. Find Your Focal Point: Concentrate on one focal point in the room instead of many. For instance, try one large piece of wall art instead of a collection or a group. Large pieces of furniture will serve as a focal point in many areas as well, such as the Dining Room and Bedroom. If you draw the attention to the larger object and keep the remaining accessories to a minimum, you will successfully open up the space. Pay close attention to the flooring as well … wall to wall carpeting or hardwood is an easy way to create the feeling of openness as long as it’s void of heavy area rugs – which will only serve to break up the space and make it appear smaller.
  4. Accessorize with Mirrors: Using mirrors strategically not only adds beauty to your home but its reflective qualities will result in creating the added illusion of depth within a room. Position a mirror directly across from a window and you will successfully expand the room with natural light while making your walls appear further apart. Add mirrors or clear glass to table tops, counter tops and even cupboard doors to take advantage of the lighter feel it will provide the room.
  5. Choose Color Wisely: Colors will be your best friend when decorating a small space. Consider soft creams, soft blues, off whites, quiet yellows and light tans. With a trip to the paint store you will find spectacular colors that will offer your home beauty and style in color combinations that will simply amaze you. Interior Designers that specialize in decorating small spaces may recommend Painting the moldings and trim with a lighter color than the walls to give the room an appearance of more depth.
  6. Get Creative with Furniture: Consider using furniture that is multi-functional and easily rearranged to entertain larger groups. For instance; choose Dining Room tables that are relatively small and take up little room but can be expanded for extra guests, baskets that can be stacked for end tables and yet hold an array of items that are kept from view, or an Ottoman that can double as a coffee table and hold extra storage. Select furniture with open arms and exposed legs to allow light to pass through and under thus making the room look larger. Select fabric light in color – or go with a striped pattern versus a floral print – as it makes for cleaner lines and won’t feel as heavy in the room. Also try to keep the furniture within scale – for instance, having an Armoire that is large and looks as if it could touch the ceiling will cause the room to look even smaller, so steer clear of furniture that overwhelms the room.
Small Teen's Room Made Larger

Making a Teen\’s Bedroom Look Larger

The Bottom Line …

The bottom line is that inspiration for the Interior Design of your home shouldn’t be limited to just how much square footage it contains. Your house is your home – whether it’s a 900 square foot apartment or a 10,000 square foot mansion – and every square inch of it deserves a design style that is reflective of your personality, dreams and desires.

No matter how small your home, with a few creative techniques, a little imagination and a game plan that focuses on creating an illusion of more space, you can have a home that will outshine one that is twice its size, any day of the week.

For more information on Interior Design Styles or Home Decorating Ideas, please visit us online at InteriorDesignPro.