When it comes to home decorating, every inch counts. And as not everyone is an interior designer, arranging furniture can be difficult, regardless of the size of a room. No doubt, it's easy to get excited and end up with a space that feels even smaller and more cluttered than when you began. Even if there are no definite rules to adhere to when decorating, some common mistakes that could make a place look smaller, even if there is space to spare, should be avoided.
Here are a few tricks to get the most out of every square foot of space: - Use the correct scale of furniture in your space. Filling a space with too small or too large furniture can ruin a room, making it appear smaller than it actually is. - Don't decorate every aspect of a room in matching colours. Limit the theme to either the walls or the furnishings, but not both. In fact, experimenting with different colours and patterns might enhance a room. - Move furniture pieces a few inches away from walls to give the illusion of open space. - Avoid painting walls in dark colours. Use light colours to make spaces feel more open and airy. If you must use darker shades, confine them to a feature wall, as they absorb light and make rooms seem smaller than they actually are. - Create seasonal displays of your favourite items and change them regularly. Remember, creativity is essential when adding additional storage using shelves. - Opt for floor-to-ceiling curtains. These will make your ceilings appear taller and your rooms larger. If full-length curtains are not your style, place curtain rails as close to the ceiling as possible and cut curtains off at the windowsill to create the illusion of a higher ceiling. - Relocate furniture. Too much furniture in a room can limit space and reduce movement. - Make sure furniture does not block windows. Connecting a room with the outside will create a sense of depth and make the space look bigger. - Try to have more sources of light in each space, as poor lighting can make a room feel small and dull, while natural light and interesting features can make a space feel bigger. If you don't have the space for additional light, use a mirror to reflect natural light around the room. - Replace bulky or dark curtains with sheer, light curtains pulled back to let in the light.
- Incorporate taller, oversized mirrors in small rooms to create the illusion of space. Position them opposite windows to double the view.
