The living room is the space where one typically unwinds
after a long and tiring day. However, the soaring prices of real estate
translates to a crunch in square footage. Imaging securing a penang
apartment for a good deal. However, the square footage of the apartment
leaves much to be desired. Smaller spaces tend to be easily turn cramped and
cluttered. A clear space means a clear mind. We’re providing you some design
ideas and tips on how to make your living room appear larger than it is.
There’s no doubt that even the smallest living room can be made to look like palace
where you can find that zen you need in life.
1.
Keep
curtains and window shades light
Do go light on window treatments. Heavy drapery and bulky
shutters only serve to make a room appear smaller, no matter how beautiful
those plantation shutters look. Darkness just accentuates the cramped feeling
in a small room. Think about keeping curtains light to help maximize light and
keep your place bright. You can also opt for sheet curtains to maximize the
amount of light you get in your living room.
2.
Hang
curtains high
Smaller spaces benefit well from some visual trickery.
Hanging your curtains close to the ceiling and well above the window can impart
a lot of airiness and height in your smaller living room. Raising the eye up to
the ceiling gives an illusion of depth and grandeur. In other words, they help
vertically elongate the room.
3.
Choose
furniture with more than one purpose
When you’re dealing with limited space, you really need to
consider every piece of furniture you put in your space. To help you with this
endeavor of scaling down, choose multifunctional
furniture. Think about sofas with hidden storage beneath seats, or even
sofas than can be turned into sofa bed. Maybe even opt for a dining table that
can do double-duty as a work-desk. The key is that everything should have more
than one purpose.
4.
Add a
few ottomans
Use an ottoman or two in place of a traditional coffee table
or side table. Place a tray on top of them when you need an extra surface. You
can also take advantage of their multifunctionality by calling them into use as
extra seating.
5.
Go
big on the floor
Go for a larger rug to make the room feel a big bigger.
Sometimes, bolder is always better. Consider a bold brilliant blue rug, or even
one in an eye-catching pattern. However, do keep in mind that the size of the
pattern should be in scale to the size of the room. A small rug will make your
room look choppy and disjointed. A large rug doesn’t visually break up the
floor and makes the room look larger
6.
Rethink
the coffee table
If you are more of a traditional person that insists on
having a coffee table, go for smaller pieces in place of one large coffee
table. Why don't you replace your large knee-knocker table with two smaller
drum tables that can be easily moved wherever you need them. In this case, two
is better than one.
7.
Bring
in dramatic color
Although the norm is to keep small rooms light and bright,
you can also go the opposite way. In a small room that doesn’t get a lot of
light, you can accentuate these personalities by painting the walls a dark and
dramatic color. This
creates a sophisticated backdrop for your lighter colored furniture. Take
advantage of these negative aspects and turn them into positives. Imagine your
smaller room as a dramatic jewel box. Small and sophisticated, but not too
dark.
8.
Play
around with scale
Sometimes, clutter (i.e. small little things in small
spaces) can visually tighten things up. To combat that, think about an
extra-large sofa or arm chairs. Sometimes, bigger means better, especially as
you would be forced to reduce the number of furniture pieces in your living
room. This can be a win-win situation. A bigger scale also translates to more
comfort.
9.
Go
bold
Just because your living room is small, doesn’t mean it has
to be bland. If you think you’re only stuck with bland and boring beiges,
you’re wrong. Consider adding a few bold statement pieces in a mix of patterns
and colors. Going big, bright and bold can sometimes make your smaller space
feel larger. Not only do these pieces add a visual point of focus, they also
make your living room more cheerful and playful.
10.
Capitalize
on lighting
Table lamb or standing lamps can sometimes hog precious
floor space. Instead, you can consider going for lighting that can be attached
to walls or hung from above to save valuable surface space. You can even
splurge on dimmers
for your ceiling-mounted fixtures to add a bit more depth to the living room.
Also think about letting in as much natural light as possible during the day.
11.
Float
furniture
Another great tip is to keep furniture central in the room.
This means keeping furniture that is pushed against the walls to a minimum.
Although you might be tempted to push everything to the wall to create more space
in the middle of the room, floating furniture will create space beyond the
furniture, which adds volume to your living room.
12.
Install
shelving
Rather than bulky bookshelves or cabinets, install some
wall-mounted helving. This helps you free up some floor space, while also
adding some flexible surface area for your knick-knacks.
13.
Use
mirrors
Mirrors can actually help open up constricted spaces. They
can reflect various areas of your living room, and this gives the illusion of
space multiplied. They trick the eye into thinking there is more space than
there actually is. A good tip is to place wall mirrors in a good location,
perhaps somewhere they can reflect an attractive view.
14.
Use
low-lying furniture
When your space is smaller, you really need to be more
strategic about your furniture choices. Low,
long pieces of furniture or seating can keep your space from feeling
cramped and crowded. These keep your wall space open and gives the illusion of
more space. Tall, hulking pieces of furniture will end up dwarfing your room.
However, if you must opt for a tall furniture item, choose one that is thin
depth-wise.
