5
Design Tips To Open Up Your Space
All
over the country, it is starting to get warmer as winter finally gives way to
spring. Flowers are in bloom in the local parks and birds are chirping in the
warm morning sun. We start pulling out our sunglasses collection and putting
away the cashmere scarves as the weather gets warmer and warmer and we start
spending more and more time outside. We watch as the
sidewalks fill up with people enjoying outdoor lunches and mid-day strolls. But
no matter how warm it gets outside, we still spend a lot of time in our homes,
so it is important that we love them and enjoy being indoors, too. If you live
in a small space, you might find yourself feeling a little cramped. There is
good news though: you can make some adjustments in your design and décor to
make your space feel larger. Below are some tips to get you started opening up
your space.
#1 – Clean up! If you have piles of clutter
around – even just a stack of mail on the counter – it will make your space
feel smaller. The more clutter you have, the less open your space will feel,
not to mention that clutter induces stress. Make sure you are taking advantage
of all the storage space you have and not allowing bookshelves, coffee tables,
and armchairs to accumulate what should be in drawers, closets, or the garbage.
#2 – Paint the walls a light
color. Any
designer will tell you that one of the easiest ways to make a room feel larger
is to paint the walls a lighter color. Dark colors can work well in large
spaces that you want to feel cozier, but should be avoided in tighter quarters.
If you want to pick a color that coordinates with your current furniture –
instead of buying new furniture – then just go with a lighter shade of the
color you have.
#3 – Organize your furniture
according to the room’s shape. Instead of trying to find ways to fit your
furniture into the room, let the room dictate the furniture’s arrangement. That
might mean not using a beloved piece, but sometimes that is the price you pay
for great design! Ask yourself if that corner table really belongs where you
have it.
#4 – Use area rugs to break
up space. Sometimes
a studio-type apartment can look like it has more rooms if you use area rugs to
break up the space into the bedroom, the sitting area, the doorway, or a
combination. Even a couple small area rugs with little else can create the
illusion of a multi-room apartment. A small silver lining: because rugs are
often priced based on their size, when you are shopping for small ones, you
might find higher quality rugs in your price range than if you were looking for
a rug for a bigger room.
#5 – Keep the ceiling white. Though an interesting or
creatively decorated ceiling can be a fun way to personalize your apartment, it
will also make the space feel smaller. So if you have low ceilings, stick to
basic white. And while you’re looking at the ceiling, make sure there are no
watermarks or cracks that need to be inspected! Not to mention, that if it
looks a little dingy, consider repainting it.
About the author: Jillian Watkinson is a DIY expert and has
written about home and gardens for many years. When she’s not writing, you can
find her covering CHS, and other useful supply companies for various
projects.
