Small rooms are very often cluttered and difficult to relax in – why not redefine the space with some clever design tips and the room will seem much larger and easier to spend time in.
Very often we have one or two smaller rooms in the house and they tend to be ignored or used as storerooms, as no one really knows what to do with them because they are too small for any really practical use. However, small rooms can be set up in such a way that makes them appear much larger than they actually are – making them more inviting and practical spaces.
If you have an unused small room, the first thing you need to do in order to begin its transformation, is to determine what you could possibly use the extra room for. Many homeowners have children who need a games room or playroom, or if you would like to use it for something more personal, you can possibly convert the space into a small office or sewing room, or even a dedicated guest or audio-and-video room.
Once you have decided what to use the room for you can decide on the following to enhance the size of your room:
Wall colour: In order to make the space seem larger, you should paint it with light, cool colours. These colours create a receding effect and make the space seem bigger and brighter than it actually is. Warm colours on the other hand, create an advancing effect and automatically make the room seem darker and smaller.
As a general rule of thumb, colours made up of reds, yellows and oranges tend to be the warm colours that will make the room seem smaller, while colours from blue and greens are the cooler colours that will make the room seem larger. Nature-inspired naturals are also cool colours that can be used to make a space seem brighter and larger than it is. Light naturals are a great choice, as they offer a neutral and timeless base that goes with almost any style and taste.
Furniture: The furniture in the room should be in proportion to the room, unless you have the budget to go out and buy smaller pieces of furniture, you can just put less furniture in the room. Remember, the less furniture you have on the floor, the larger the room will appear and the more space you will have to move around, making it a more practical space. Sort out all the clutter and be ruthless in your decisions on what to keep and what the throw away.
Keep the items stored in the room down to a minimum to make it appear less cluttered and more comfortable to be in. Make sure that whatever is left has its own dedicated place or that it is neatly stored away on shelves, in drawers or in boxes for a neat and well managed appearance.
If the room is to be a games room for the children, hang the television on the wall so you will not need to take up space with the television stand. If you have a bed in the room, it can double up as both a bed and, with cleverly placed cushions, a couch as well for television viewing or gaming. Use the area under the bed for storage of items that are not regularly used.
Walls: You have painted the walls in cool colours, so be sure not to cover them in a plethora of paintings and pictures made up of warm colours, as this too will make the room seem smaller and busy. If you have the budget, a good idea is to install a floor-to-ceiling mirror on one entire wall in the room, as this will almost double the size of the room and make it seem brighter.
Lighting: If the ceilings are not very high, sunken spots are your best bet - they do not take up any space and the brighter the room, the larger it will appear, so put in a few extra spots. If your window is small and not a lot of light is coming in during the day, you could also think about including a skylight - this will brighten up the room considerably during the day, making it appear larger. – Antonella Dési
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