Creating the Illusion of Space

Making a small room look and feel spacious can seem like an impossible task. Heavy drapes, stark walls or dark walls can cause a room to feel closed in and claustrophobic. Choosing lighter or muted colors can create a cozy feel that is still light and airy. Whether you have a classic taste or eclectic style, creating the illusion of space can be fun and simple. Creating a room with a theme can make the task simpler or just accenting and re-arranging with items you already have will create contrast and depth.

Opening up the Living Room

Opening up a small living room or family room can start with a simple fresh coat of color. White walls can give a room a flat, sterile feel offering no dimension. Beige, sand and light tans are a good choice for creating a cozy feeling without feeling like you are in a cave. Once you have selected a neutral color for your space you can start thinking of how you can use lighting to give dimension to the space.

Illuminating the dark corners

Tall Lamps that are free standing and cast light upward help the ceilings feel higher and the corners feel wider. A small table in the corner with a lamp and a shade that casts light out of the top and the bottom of the shade will also create the same effect. Natural lighting is also a great asset to a small space. Taking down heavy drapes and creating a frame for the window will give the room an open feel. Bamboo matchstick or vertical blinds provide shade and privacy, while still allowing diffused light into the room. The use of blinds and vinyl shutters create a clean look and optimize the use of natural light.

Window Treatments

If you like curtains, hanging sheers can help to diffuse the light while not shutting it out completely. On the outer layer of the window you can make it simple or elaborate. Creating a window treatment larger than the window area will give the illusion of height. Choosing fabrics and colors for your window treatment should coincide with the upholstery on the furniture you will have in the room. Pulling out and matching a color in the design of the fabric on a chair or couch can tie the whole room together. Depending on the look or theme of your space you can use basic curtain rods and brackets, most come in wood or metal and can be painted to match the color scheme of any room, remember contrasting colors add depth.

Accenting

Accenting the room with some brightly colored objects strategically placed will draw the eye to a focal point and then outward to the rest of the room. Mirrors are a cost effective way to produce more light and feeling of an open space. The size and framing of a mirror will set the tone for the room. If you are doing light colored walls like egg shell or beige choose a frame that is a darker color to provide contrast and vice versa if you choose a warmer color like tan or sand you can go with the lighter tones and depending on the upholstery of the furnishings metallic colors like brass or hammered silver can give room a grand feeling.