Even if square footage is a luxury, great style doesn’t have to be. Here are our top 5 simple tips for transforming small rooms into chic, comfortable spaces:
1. Keep a low profile. The number one rule when decorating small spaces is to choose just one or two larger pieces rather than several smaller ones. Sizable furnishings anchor a space, creating visual proportion. Just bear in mind that bold patterns and wide silhouettes can overwhelm, so opt instead for streamlined pieces such as a track-arm sofa, armless chair, 36″-diameter dining table, or frameless bed.
2. Send clutter into hiding. Furniture with concealed storage makes any room appear organized and, well, roomier! Perfect space-savers include beds with built-in cubbies, drum accent tables, multi-drawer coffee tables, and ottomans that flip open.
3. Less is definitely more. Stylish accessories such as photo frames, vases, candlesticks, and sculptures certainly give a room personality, but it’s best to have only a few on view at one time. This will help the room appear tranquil but not impersonal.
4. Think low contrast. To create a cozy ambience, use colors from the same side of the spectrum. For example, if your overarching color is brown, accent the room with oranges, deep reds, or fuchsias, as opposed to stark neutrals.
5. Let there be light. Maximizing lighting is essential to making a small space feel larger. A single overhead light has a tendency to make a room feel closed in, so increase your light sources and place them near walls to reflect glow. To further spread radiance around the room, face a large mirror in the direction of a window.
For more ways to bring great style to light, check out Lighting by the Numbers.
