Making Small Spaces Look Larger
Here are some tips for making small spaces look larger and more efficient.
Overall
* Clear the path.
* Do not clutter the room.
* Minimize furniture and accessories/knick knacks – less is more.
* Use cool light colors and monochromatic palette – make rooms seem larger than they are.
* A light color floor gives the illusion of more space and creates a serene environment.
* Lighting – use recessed lighting, places uplights and downlights.
* Hang a flat screen TV on the wall.
* Small print wallpaper makes rooms look smaller, use open flowing designs when installing wallpaper.
* Closets – use closet organizer and mount shelves.
Low Ceilings
* Striped wallpaper or vertical wallpaper will add height to ceilings.
* Grouping of various size pictures arranged in a more horizontal pattern will elevate the feeling of height.
* Sloped ceilings such as dormer roof lines should be painted the same color as walls to minimize sloped effect.
Living Room
* Make use of pieces that do double duty such as coffee and end tables that also serve as storage.
Bedroom
* Utilize space under beds (bedskirts will cover items stored under beds.)
* If you have a loft style apartment – use beds that retract from either the floor or ceiling.
Bathroom
* Expand sink counter top over toilet (will not be a standard size bathroom sink top). This type counter
top will need to be fabricated/cut to designated lengths/widths.
* Use wall hung vanities which do not extend to the floor. Wall hung vanities give an appearance of a
larger room.
* Use shelving or recessed medicine cabinet.
* Limit the amount of towels stored in the bathroom; use over the door racks for towels.
* If you have access to a hall closet, use it for bathroom storage.
* Use one(1) piece of larger art instead of lots of small pieces.
* If using shower doors – trade a frosted glass door for a clear one. Better yet don’t use a shower
door at all – use shower curtains that can be pushed back.
Kitchen
* U-shaped or galley kitchens utilize small spaces wonderfully.
* Install an island at end of a U-shaped or galley kitchen to create an eat-in kitchen while utilizing
the cabinets below.
* Put bills and paperwork in small baskets or boxes.
* Large floor tiles make a kitchen look larger.
* Include a pullout pantry and/or lazy Susan cabinets.
* Create a full wall of cabinets which extends to the ceiling and include a refrigerator in the center
section of space.
* Purchase a counter top depth refrigerator which also has a reduced door swing.
* Install a basic stove range with bottom storage instead of a broiler.
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