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Big Ideas That Can Help Expand Small SpacesBy: Yayie O'BrienThere are endless possibilities to be found in decorating a small space. Who says a small space has to lack character. You can take a small room and add lots of charm and character. When you are working with a home that is on the smaller side, there are several simple additions you can make to increase the style and function, of your small space. Such as, special trim, to give the illusion of height and width. Shelving, for accessories, and built-in's wherever possible to house your electronic equipment, books, and collectibles. Here are a couple of great ideas to help you make the most of even the smallest spaces: Let's start with choosing the right color for your small space. In one of our previous articles entitled "How To Choose The Color That Best Describes Your Personality" we discussed the different color definitions and what part they play in choosing a palette for your space. So, now we know that a monochromatic color scheme (monochromatic being one color) will make a small space feel larger than it really is. The same is true for rooms that have colors that are even in their intensity, such as all bright's, or all washed colors. Because the consistency of the color saturation lacks dimension, there is a greater appearance of space that is therefore created. Now that you have chosen a color palette to compliment your small space. The next thing you must consider is creating a focal point for the space. A focal point gives a small room a center point that will distract from the overall size of the room. After finding you focal point, it's important to consider the scale of the furnishings for the room. Pay close attention to the scale of the furniture and how the furniture will be arranged. Add softness to the room by placing chairs and or tables at angles to prevent the room from feeling crowded and boxed in. It's also a good idea to select furniture that serves dual purposes. For example, you can use decorative wooden storage cubes, which come in a variety of colors. Use one or several of them, group them together, and this will not only serve as a tasteful coffee table but will also provide you with a place for extra storage. This is what I chose for my coffee table and it provides me with a space to store my many photographs. Keep in mind when decorating and accessorizing a small space to avoid using lots of little details. This will make the room seem busy and will create a crowded feeling in the room. Consider using a few oversized accessories that will make a dramatic statement and won't overwhelm your small space. Also keep in mind when choosing accessories for a small space the less contrast in a room, the larger it feels. The same is true for the furniture. A couple of well chosen larger pieces will work better than a multitude of smaller pieces that will make the room feel cluttered. For other areas in your home where there is limited space such as a staircase consider a row of bookshelves going up the wall of the staircase, and you will have created your very own library in an otherwise unusable and limited space. Coat racks are not only a great way to save space, they can also make a strong design statement. Ranging from wavy to straight, elegant to playful, this is a great solution that will eliminate the need for a coat closet, or allow you to use an existing coat closet for other storage needs. Sometimes, decorating a small bedroom can also be a real challenge. Here is a great idea if you have a small bedroom which features dormer windows. You can design a child’s bed that can be built into the dormer, creating an interesting ceiling height above the bed, add some curtains on all four sides and you've created an instant four poster bed effect. Also for your small bedroom try using decorative wall shelves mounted on the wall for nightstands. A wall-mounted nightstand is small, but can serve a big purpose. With enough room for a clock, a glass, a box of tissues, and a book, it's a great solution when you are working with limited floor space. Also consider adding task lighting mounted on the wall above the bed. This would also eliminate the need for night stands to house your lighting. Finally, have you considered Wall Beds? The newer versions are very safe and easy to use and can be easily pulled down with one hand. They give guests a very comfortable place to sleep while enabling you to use one room for two or three different purposes. Cabinetry for wall beds have come a long way and are design in cabinetry that is very attractive and stylish. They are available in a variety of styles. You can create a contemporary look, a traditional look, or a very sleek and modern look with the many cabinetry styles now available. Whatever the size of your space, you don't have to sacrifice style. There are so many aesthetically pleasing space saving solutions available. When planning your design for a small space, just think multi function as well as style. You really can have both. |
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