iNSIDE

We’ve all lived in one at some point. Maybe you are living in one now. Our politically correct culture might name them “area challenged” or simply: “quaint.” The rest of us know them better as small spaces.

In today’s age of ‘bigger is better,’ I find small spaces to be cozy and charming and often an eco-friendly alternative to their colossal counterparts. They can, however, be a bit of a design doozie if you don’t know how to make the most of their assets. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you tackle your diminutive dwelling.

1. Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

Ever notice the night before you are moving to a new place and everything has been removed from the walls that your space looks a lot smaller? That’s often because you’ve literally erased a dimension from the room: the one created by your wall hangings.

Well-placed mirrors work wonders in small spaces. A lot of good design is all about fooling your eye to perceive things in a more complimentary manner. Mounting a mirror opposite windows, for example, reflects the natural light and gives the impression of additional depth. Reflective surfaces such as lacquer, glass, and shiny metals like nickel or aluminum serve the same purpose. This works in any space – big or small.

2. Color me large.

A continuous color scheme is a nice idea in a large space as it unifies disparate areas. In a small space, it’s a must. Smaller, choppier rooms tend to look like individual showrooms if each is done in a different color. Fret not; this idea isn't as boring as it sounds. Start with a semi-neutral base color – gray-green, deep taupe, crisp white - and paint any adjoining rooms this color (or a one or two shade variant). Then, choose some complimentary accent colors and a couple of punchy ones and weave those throughout your rooms for a cohesive and more spacious look.

3. On a scale of 1-10...

...scale is a 10 in terms of its importance in making your small space look larger. Avoid too many little items in your space. This creates the dollhouse look and achieves the opposite effect of what you are striving for. Opt instead for fewer pieces that fill out (but don’t overwhelm) the room and that do double-duty. For example, could your dining table function as a desk? Could your bed frame be crafted from several drawers or low-slung dressers on which your mattress sits? What about using storage cubes or side tables as extra seating, when needed?

Scale is also extremely important in the choices for your artwork. Again – think fewer and larger and nix the choppy. Can’t afford ‘real’ art? Consider making your own. Paint large artists’ canvases solid colors – or – create a frame with some architectural molding and frame some wallpaper pieces.

4. Cut a rug.

Area rugs are a great way to unify a seating arrangement or to define a room within a room. (Think of studio apartments or lofts in which there is one large room vs. several smaller rooms). When placing your furniture on a rug, be sure that all or most of it sits atop the rug.

Large good-quality area rugs can set you back a few pennies. If the size you need is cost-prohibitive, look into having a custom rug created from carpet remnants. Just about any carpet retailer will take an existing remnant and bind it for you to create a rug. Notch it up a degree and have them create a border for your rug out of another complementary-colored remnant. This can be done for a fraction of what it would cost for a wool area rug. Natural rugs such as sisal or seagrass are also a lower cost alternative when you need a large sized rug.

5. Let there be light.

Observe your space at night. Where are the dark corners? Add a beautiful floor lamp or side table lamp to eliminate the shadows and create additional space.

In the daytime, make sure that you are utilizing all the available natural light. Select sheer curtains rather than heavy velvet ones. Also, mount your hardware and hang your drapes outside of the window frame. The rod can be hung a foot or more above the window frame. This gives the impression that what’s hiding behind your curtains is actually more window. Also, when the drapes are left open, it permits all available sunlight to make its way into your room.

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