Furnishing a Small Room... Decorating Ideas for Tight Spaces

It seems that all decorating sites and magazines believe that we all live in mansions with vast spaces for us to decorate. Unfortunately, this is the real world and it is a little smaller than they think. If you have a small room and are strapped for ideas, don’t worry. We all have the same problem.

Just because it is a small space doesn’t mean you can’t furnish it to your will. In fact we’ve found that thinking inside the very very small box has led to more creative ideas.

Colors and Contrast

The right color can be the ace in your deck which will make sure that your small space not only pops but also looks and feels bigger. Although conventional wisdom tells us to go for whites and creams, it isn’t necessary to restrict yourself to boredom just because you have small a space. Be bold in your color choices but don’t go overboard with bright colors. If your space has a low light problem than lighter shades are your best bet. A nifty trick is to paint the ceiling a lighter color than the other walls. This creates the illusion that the ceiling is much higher than it actually is.

Scale

Scale and proportion need to be considered carefully when decorating a small room. Make sure there’s ample space to walk around and the space doesn’t end up looking cluttered. Don’t put too much stuff in the room. Additionally large pieces of furniture can have an overbearing effect.

If you’re decorating a small room for two children, a bunk bed may be a good idea as opposed to two single beds or a twin bed.

Straight Lines and Sharp Angles

Small rooms are typically plagued with sharp angles created by windows, doors and pieces of furniture. This gives the room a sharp and unnatural look. In order to soften up the look of a small room, try and soften the look using sheers and curtains. A throw on the edge of a couch or chair can add character to an otherwise sharp looking room. Additionally, try looking for natural curves in the furniture that you put into the room. Try to avoid any squarish or sharp objects. Adding plants can give great natural softness to an otherwise edgy looking room.

Storage

The biggest problem that small spaces face is that of storage. Spatially challenging rooms can be difficult to decorate since you also have to make room for storage. The first thing to do is to clean out your belongings and find out which things you need and which ones you don’t. Trust us, this cleansing will not only be good for your room but also for your soul. Organize your things and make an inventory. Make the most of the storage that you have and use it wisely. Sometimes; however, storage doesn’t necessarily have to be concealed or ugly. Shelving can be a great way of displaying memorabilia which may otherwise be kept hidden in a box.

Furnishing a small room can be an exciting and fun challenge. When choosing window treatments of a small room, try not to get bulky fabrics which may over shadow the room. Additionally vertical stripes are a great idea as they add length to the room.