Are there rooms in your home that you wish were bigger? Sometimes small rooms can be challenging to decorate and furnish. While you might not be able to stretch the square footage, there are a few things that you can do to help make the spaces seem larger:
Choose furnishings to scale. While it’s always nice to able to use furniture from previous homes, sometimes massive pieces just won’t work in small rooms. In diminutive living areas, choose sleek couches or even loveseats to take up less space. In less-than-spacious bedrooms, avoid squeezing in king-size beds and large dressers. Dining room tables should allow adequate room for puling back chairs and walking around the perimeter of the room.
Have a focal point. Arranging furniture around a fireplace, bookshelves, window, or artwork helps create visual appeal and can help distract from the room’s size. Be sure to declutter and remove unnecessary furniture, too.
Bring as much light into the room as possible. Remove any light-blocking window treatments. If you need window coverings for privacy, choose sheer materials or curtains that can be easily opened during the day. Install window treatments above the window casing to help make ceilings seem taller. Add dimmer switches for overhead lights and as many lamps as possible. Consider adding picture or portrait lighting for artwork to bring in even more brightness.
Mirrors can help reflect light and make a room seem larger. Position mirrors across from windows or artwork to double their impact. Instead of one large mirror, consider arranging a wall grouping of framed mirrors in different sizes and shapes.
In many cases, painting a small room the same color as hallways or other surrounding rooms can help make the space seem larger. The addition of crown molding and other trim details can also help draw the eye upward and give the illusion of space.
Keep accessories simple. In small rooms, it’s often best to have a few large or medium-sized accessories rather than a lot of small things which can clutter and close in the space. Look for accessories that can also provide storage, such as baskets and wooden boxes. Proportional potted plants are often good choices for small rooms because they bring in color or texture.
Vary the height of furniture, artwork, lamps, and accessories as much as possible. This can help create visual space and make the room more appealing.
Remove the rugs. While decorative rugs can add warmth and charm, they can sometimes overwhelm small rooms. Taking the rugs out and letting the bare floors shine may help the room look lighter and larger.
Expand the doorway. If possible, remove the door altogether or make the doorway larger, which can make the room seem lighter and airier as well as open it up to adjoining rooms or hallways.
Rooms don’t have to be huge to make a big impression. With the right furniture arrangement and decorative elements, the smallest room in your house could turn out to be the most inviting.