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From
Small to Spacious
By
Barbara Goodwin
Decorating
and furnishing a small home, apartment or studio can be challenging, but when done
correctly by choosing the right furniture and colors, your small spaces will look and feel more spacious.
Try
these suggestions for creating more space.
Furnishings
When selecting furniture for your small space choose smaller pieces that have a
more open design.
Example:
A
love seat with exposed legs, two small side chairs, and a small round glass
top coffee table, would be a better choice than, a large sofa with hidden legs,
love seat, and a large solid wood coffee table.
Arrangements
and Traffic Flow
When
arranging your furniture be aware of traffic patterns, all traffic should flow uninterrupted
through your room. In a living room start with the sofa or love seat. When
arranging your furniture start with the largest piece on
the largest wall and facing your focal point. Then create a conversation area. Place
a side chair on each side of the Love seat and place your coffee table where it
can be reached from all three sitting places.
Accessories
and Patterns
In
small spaces be careful not to over use accessories. Remember,
less is more if you want to create that open feeling.
Mirrors and shiny reflective accessories help create the illusion of more
space. Larger patterns should be limited to pillows and smaller
accessories rather than a large sofa or love seat.
Color
When
choosing
color schemes, select soft and
monochromatic colors.
Use
the same or similar colors for your large pieces of furniture and your walls and
keep your ceiling lighter than the rest of the room. See
Color
and Proportions
Lighting
Use
a soft even light and eliminate shadows which tend to slice a room up into
smaller spaces. Incandescent lighting will also soften a room. Avoid ceiling
lighting this will visually lower your ceiling.
Tips
Keep
your apartment simple and clean. If
you don't need it throw it out!
Clutter
free - Stress-free! Less
is more !
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