How do you turn cramped into cozy? It can be super hard making a small room feel open and inviting. Not to mention trying to find a place to store your things when there’s barely room to sit down! Thankfully, there are tons of ways to provide the illusion of a roomy dwelling place, even if that might not be the case. From accent walls to smart storage, here are five awesome ways to ‘stretch out’ a small space.
Let The Light In!
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Not only will natural light effortlessly enhance the look of any small room, but it will open it up and create a more welcoming atmosphere. Drapes made of a light-weight material can be matched with shades for light control and privacy.
Avoid drapes with busy patterns and/or heavy material as this can quickly make a room feel busy and clunky. Pro tip: hang drapes closer to the ceiling to elongate the small space and present the illusion of bigger windows.
Floating Fit for a Room
Forget bulky bookcases and opt for floating shelves for storage. This will allow you to utilize wall space instead of floor space. If it’s a bedroom, consider adding a floating shelf near the bed instead of a bedstand.
The great thing about floating shelves is that they seem to fade into the background of whatever you place on them. With a few well-placed items, they can become as interesting as you want them to be, while still being out of the way.
Make a Statement
Accent walls aren’t just for big spaces, and if done correctly, they can pull the focus to the back, tricking the eye into thinking there’s more space than what’s actually available. This one is great because there are so many ways to do an accent wall that will open up an area.
While you should avoid using any patterns that are too busy in a cozier sized room, putting vertical patterns at the back of the room will make it seem longer, especially if you use lighter colors on the side walls. Darker back walls painted to match the ceiling also create this effect. Adding a textured accent wall is great too! Just remember that the other walls should stay simple and light.
Super Functional Furniture
There’s great furniture out there that can serve multiple purposes, which makes this option a no-brainer for allowing more space in a smaller area. Add a storage bench for sitting room or mount a wall desk to optimize your space.
Storage ottomans are also perfect for use in either a living room or bedroom setting. When choosing a bed or a couch, go for ones with a more sleek look. For beds, less is more, go for simple headboards, or forget the headboard altogether. For couches, keep it simple, and avoid busy patterns. In either case, there are tons of options that include pull out drawers or shelving as well. Make the most of those!
Upwards and Onwards
Drawing attention upwards will immediately help a smaller space to appear bigger. Consider hanging pictures up high. Try to keep it simple, as too many pictures on the wall can create the opposite effect. Space out pictures or other wall decorations and use mirrors in between to create the optical illusion of being larger.
Well-placed mirrors, like in front of a window to reflect the natural light, will brighten up the whole area! Strategically placed plants are also a fabulous addition to any space and, with their natural health benefits, can also make a tiny room feel breathable.
Whether you embrace the cozy atmosphere or go for an airier, open feel, there are multitudes of ways to get the most out of a small room while still maintaining a fabulous look that fits your personal style!
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