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Tricks you can play when size
matters
Some of my clients live in large homes with soaring
ceilings and plenty of space, but the majority live
in average-size homes. One of the most common questions
my clients ask is: How can I make this room look bigger?
Let me just start by saying that not all rooms need
to feel as large as possible. Sometimes it is best
not to fight a small space. Just make it as comfortable
and beautiful as you can. Small rooms can be tiny jewel
boxes, cozy and intimate, with dark colors and dramatic
lighting.
On the other hand, for those of you who desire
an open, spacious look in your home, the following
tips can help.
Choose light, cool paint colors for
the walls. Cool colors recede, making them good choices
for small rooms. Try icy blues and soft, pale greens. These
restful colors are particularly good in bedrooms. Neutral tones like gray and
taupe also work well in small rooms.
Select a monochromatic color scheme. This
type of color scheme works well with warm or cool colors.
Select one main color and run with it, using varying
shades of the hue for walls, flooring and furnishings.
Use tone-on-tone patterns in upholstery fabrics, but
be sure to incorporate a mixture of textures to add
interest to the space. For example, choose golden chenille
for the sofa, creamy yellow for the walls and light
maple wood flooring. Choosing upholstered pieces, such
as sofas and chairs, in colors similar to the wall
color will allow them to blend in and make the room
seem more spacious. Avoid vibrant and busy fabric patterns.
Be
careful when selecting furniture pieces. Using fewer,
larger scale pieces can actually make a room seem larger
than using many smaller pieces. For example, instead
of a separate TV stand and stereo cabinet, house the
TV and all of the components in an armoire. Also, keep
in mind that some furniture pieces take up less visual
space than others. Armless chairs, glass top tables
and low benches are some examples.
Minimize clutter.
Too many tiny knick-knacks can make a room feel much
smaller than it is. Instead opt for a minimalist look
with fewer, larger accessories. On walls, be sure to
leave some empty space for the eye to rest.
Lighten
up the window treatments. Replace dark, heavy draperies
with filmy, gauzy fabrics that let in natural light.
Select subtle fabrics that blend with the wall color,
and avoid busy patterns. Again, you might want to opt
for a minimalist look with simple, yet stylish shades
such as Duette Honeycomb Shades or Silhouette Window
Shadings.
Add lighting. Dark rooms can seem smaller
than they actually are. The best way to remedy this
situation is to add lighting. Recessed lighting, wall
sconces and ceiling fixtures can bring in much-needed
light without taking up precious floor space.
With some careful planning and a few changes, your small
rooms can look and feel more spacious.
This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper
Group papers on March 18, 2006.
Go
back to the list of decorating columns.
All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna
Jacoby.
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