Small Space Solutions for Every Room

Keep It White and Light

Bathing your room in white creates a similar illusion of boundary-defying expansiveness. White walls, draperies, furniture, accessories, and rug in this petite living room allow the eye to roam freely over surfaces, stopping only at points of contrast--the dark-framed mirrors, the pair of dark chairs, and the coffee table. These dark accents anchor the space without constricting it. The white surfaces also bounce light around the room, increasing the sense of spaciousness. A large window that borrows outdoor views enhances the roomy feeling.

Maximize Light and Views

A bank of windows instantly enlarges a small room because your eye moves beyond the wall to the outdoor view and embraces it as part of your living space. Even if you have only one window, take advantage of this liberating effect by leaving the window bare or, for privacy, installing simple shades or blinds that can be pulled out of the way during the day. Choose blinds the same color as the walls so they'll blend into the background -- white or ivory works best for increasing the feeling of space.

Add Mirrors

Prop a large framed mirror against a wall to create the illusion of greater depth in a room. Even small mirrors expand the sense of space by reflecting views and light, but an oversize mirror like this one has a dramatic effect because it reflects a large chunk of the room.

Take the Eye High

Increase the apparent height of the room with vertical lines that lead the eye from floor to ceiling. A seemingly higher ceiling adds breathing space, particularly if the walls are also painted a soft, receding color. Here, simple draperies fall from the painted valance, which is mounted at ceiling height to create the longest possible line. The painting over the mantel also takes the eye upward, reinforcing the effect. (Note that the painting also does its part in pushing the walls outward--a landscape with a strong illusion of depth acts like a window onto an outdoor space.)

Make Space Work Harder

Built-ins that serve multiple functions make small spaces live larger. Here a built-in bookcase defines a seating nook with storage cabinets below the bench. Wall-mount lamps illuminate the nook for nighttime reading or conversation. This unit is custom-built, but a handy do-it-yourself-er could replicate the idea by using standard cabinets for the base of the bookcase on each side of the seating nook and building shelves from 5/8-inch plywood. The long shelf above the seating nook should be anchored to the wall and ceiling as well as the side bookcases. Instead of built-in seating, use a love-seat, and stash baskets underneath for out-of-sight storage.

Mirror Power

Double the apparent size of a small bathroom with a seamless wall-to-wall mirror at one end. With no frame to define the mirror's edges, the illusion of greater depth is nearly perfect. The heavy-duty glass counter top also opens the bathroom: Because you can see through it to the wall and floor, the room feels bigger.

Use Every Inch

Squeeze more function into the slimmest of spaces with custom-designed cabinetry. In this narrow powder room, a cabinet just wide enough to accommodate a small bar sink provides elegant display space and storage.

Design Rooms to Multitask

If your house is too small for a separate living room and dining room, gear the living space for double duty. Replace the usual coffee table with a tall accent table or even a small breakfast table. This 18th-century-style drum table stands 30 inches tall, which is about an inch taller than the standard dining table and works comfortably with the antique chairs as well as the sofa. If you have low chairs, look for a table 10 or 11 inches higher than the chair seats.

Emphasize a Focal Point

Strong, dark colors tend to pull walls closer, making a room feel smaller. But if you love bold color, use it to highlight a focal point wall. That way, it arrests the eye so you overlook the small dimensions of the room. This fireplace dominates the living room architecturally. To play it up even more, it's painted a warm pumpkin color, with an equally strong green background. To balance the space-constricting effects of the color, keep furnishings at a small scale and in proportion to the room. Keep accessories to a minimum because clutter makes a room feel smaller.

Convert Wasted Space to Storage

Why let that space behind the stair riser go to waste? Work with a builder to box in the space under a few stairs and design a hinged riser that pulls open for access. It can be the perfect spot to hide away toys, books, and out-of-season items.

Lighten Up

A little something in the entry creates a welcoming focal point for guests, but when you're squeezed for space, keep it lightweight visually with a slim-lined metal table. This provides a surface for a lamp and some flowers and anchors a painting, creating a well-balanced display that doesn't eat up too much space.

Entertain the Eye

You don't have to give up bold color in small spaces. Strong or dark color creates powerful drama in a small space, but to keep it from feeling claustrophobic or cave-like, use lighting strategically and give the eye an interesting path to follow. This narrow hallway serves as an art gallery with paintings hung at eye level and illuminated by ceiling-mounted spotlights. The lights direct attention to the paintings, and these keep the eye moving from side to side down the hall so the space feels wider. A leggy table at the end of the hall draws the eye into the corner, enhancing the impression of space.

Do your small spaces feel cramped and uncomfortable? Find simple solutions that you can use to maximize space and make your home feel inviting. Taken from a favorite site for your viewing pleasure.