How to decorate small spaces

Decorating Small Spaces

You don't have to compromise on style just because your apartment is small. Small spaces pose challenges but there are lots of ways to make your apartment look and feel bigger. Here are some tips for furnishing and organizing your new apartment when space is at a premium.

Scale furnishings: You'll want to choose furnishings that are small or at most moderately sized. They will make your rooms appear bigger. If you have one large piece surround it with things that are much smaller.

Focus on one area: You can make your apartment look bigger by drawing attention or focusing on one area. Place a large piece of furniture such as a bookcase or entertainment center on one wall and accent it with lots of accessories.

Minimize decorations: Avoid clutter. Too many knick knacks and accent pieces will make your small apartment look even smaller

Paint light: Lighter colors make an apartment look larger since they reflect light. Paint adjoining rooms with the same color to enhance the sense of space.

Accent with paint: In one room paint a wall a different, brighter color to draw attention to it.

Choose a color that creates harmony in the room, not chaos. You also can provide the illusion of width by painting a horizontal stripe on one wall about two feet wide or adding a vertical stripe to add height.

Let the light in: Natural lighting can help to make the room look more open and bigger. Keep window coverings at a minimum. You can use sheer or thin drapes and keep them simple, not overpowering.

Use mirrors: You can use mirrors to reflect the light and make your apartment look bigger. Consider one large mirror or several smaller mirrors. Furniture with a lot of glass also can visually expand a space.

Storage: Save space with furniture that doubles as storage. Look for coffee tables that have a lower shelf for books or benches with seats that open to provide a storage unit.