 | Small spaces can pose large challenges for interior decorating options. By selecting colors, furniture, and lighting carefully, you’ll be able to create a chic, livable space that doesn’t feel cramped and confining.
To begin, choose color with care. Darker hues give rooms a small, intimate feel, while monochromatic and pale shades open up a space. As you select a shade, keep in mind that the finished color will be several shades lighter than the sample. Paint the rooms that flow off of the living room in a similar color to give the area a more open feel. If you choose to keep the walls a lighter shade, add color through accessories. One idea: Purchase or cover pillows with vibrant shades that pop. If you decide to paper your walls, avoid small patterns, as they tend to close a space. Choose wide stripes instead; this creates an illusion of height.
Purchase furniture that matches the scale of your room, but don’t clutter the space with a lot of small pieces. Choose one that will become your focal point, such as a love seat, and decorate around that. The furniture should be open rather than covered in fabric. This will give the space a more airy feel. Check traffic patterns; keep a pathway flowing into the room. Match the color of furniture to the color of your walls so that the room blends together. Purchase stackable tables. Tuck them away when space is needed and pull them out when company visits. Also, consider buying ottomans, coffee tables, benches, and armoires that offer additional storage space.
Think high. Tall furniture, such as a bookshelf, and accent pieces, like tall, narrow pictures and mirrors, will create an illusion of height in a room. Folding screens and large plants can also trick the eye into believing a space is roomier than it is. Shelves can be used for both a decorative touch and for displaying knick knacks or candles that might otherwise clutter your tables.
Lighting is a key element for adding the illusion of space. Forgo window treatments if possible, as natural sunlight and a view will add a new dimension to the area. Keep corners that tend to collect shadows well lit, and avoid hanging lights from the ceiling; visually, they lower the height of the room.
When decorating, do not clutter tables with small objects. Instead, choose one larger accessory as a focal point. Cover boxes with decorative fabrics and display these around the room; use them to store CDs and other small knickknacks. Lastly, throw out the clutter. Get rid of everything you don’t use or need on a regular basis. Though a basket of magazines beside the sofa might seem like a nice touch, it will only take up space while gathering dust. If you collect knickknacks that you must display, consider putting each out on a rotating basis.
Though decorating a small living room can be challenging, it can also be a lot of fun. By following these rules, you can create a comfortable space in even the smallest of living rooms.
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