It’s not how much space you have, but rather how you use it that matters! If you’re limited on space, re-consider your decor and furniture choices, you’d be surprised by how big of a difference small tweaks can make! Try these tips to make the most out of a few square feet of space!
Wield color wisely.
A monochromatic color scheme can work wonders in a small space. Bright colors and patterns feel chaotic and cluttered, and while dark colors feel cozier, they can create a cramped living space.
For smaller rooms, choose light and neutral colors, drawing inspiration from color palettes used in modern farmhouse and nautical-inspired design. Light and neutral colors will produce the illusion of a larger room. Try creating a backdrop of whites and creams, such as Sherwin Williams’s Pure or Egret White. Add visual interest with tapestries or wall art in soft sea salt grays or, add an accent wall in a neutral-but-contrasting shade such as Sherwin Williams’s Rain.
Lighten up the linens.
Chunky blankets and sherpa throws are great in an expansive, open-concept space, but they can make a tiny room feel cluttered! Instead of heavy linens and curtains, opt for light and breezy materials like linen, silk, or cotton gauze, which create a sense of airiness in a room.
Dark and heavy fabrics like velvet, satin, polyester, or densely woven cotton absorb light and weigh down the room. Neutral, light-colored fabrics are preferable to dark or patterned fabrics.
Get the right rugs.
The key to creating space with a rug is getting the right size — nothing will shrink a room like a rug that’s much too small. As a rule of thumb, choose a rug wide enough to “cover” the floor’s surface — spanning the front legs of your sofa and chairs (or the front edge of all the large furniture pieces in a room). Leave about eight to 18 inches of open floor space between the rug and the wall to frame the room and create a walkway. Like everything else, choose a lighter color to enlarge the space even more.
Let there be (plenty of) light.
Light always makes a room bigger and brighter — especially natural light. Avoid blocking the windows to maximize outdoor lighting. Hanging sconces on either side of your bed allows more open space on your nightstands and draws the eye upward. When choosing a lamp, look for one with a slim, clear, or open stand that has a light-colored lampshade or no shade at all.
Make space with mirrors.
Mirrors are one of the easiest ways to trick the eye into thinking a room is more spacious than it really is. Hang mirrors on the walls (put one across from a window to reflect the light!) and consider mirrored furniture as well, such as the coffee table and end tables in the living room or nightstands in the bedroom.
Declutter your décor.
Simplicity is the best policy. While you don’t need to become a full-blown minimalist, you should borrow a few guidelines. Too many things in a room, whether that’s furniture, pillows, small decorative objects, or furniture, will only make a room feel more cluttered.
Pare down unused items and excess knickknacks to create more open space on the shelves, walls, and surfaces.
Stow messes away with shelves and storage.
If you’re lucky enough to have built-in shelves, take full advantage. Floor-to-ceiling shelves offer plenty of storage but don’t take up precious space — plus, they draw the eye up, giving the illusion of a larger room.
If you don’t have built-in shelves, you can create a similar effect by installing floating shelves or tall bookcases. Painting them the same color as the walls will help, too. Maximize double-duty and hidden-storage hacks: file cabinets under a desk for more space in your home office, an ottoman or coffee table that can store and conceal your workout equipment, off-season clothing in bins under the bed, etc.
Re-think your furniture.
Avoid bulky, oversized furniture in a small room. Furniture that is lower to the ground creates more space above it, opening up the room. Likewise, furniture with legs rather than pieces that sit directly on the ground creates a sense of openness, too.
Furniture is not one-size-fits-all. Visit your local CORT Furniture Outlet to find furniture that fits your space at amazing prices with same-day availability!
