(ARA) – Whether you live in an apartment, sold
your house for a condo in the city or simply have smaller rooms in your home,
decorating areas with limited space can be a challenge. But by following some
simple rules, you can easily utilize the space you have while still projecting
your personal style.
“Small rooms are not lost space,” comments Shari Kagermeier, academic director
of interior design, The Art Institutes International Minnesota. “Planning
ahead ensures the room is functional and utilizes organizational elements that
can cut the clutter to create a clean look that makes the space appear
larger.”
Here are some ideas to consider when decorating a small room: |
|
|
Plan Ahead
Think about what function you want the room to have. Will it be a guest bedroom,
an office, a reading den or an exercise room? Once you determine how the room
can function, you can start deciding on furniture and other decorative elements.
Cut Clutter
Nothing
makes a small room look smaller than clutter. A wall full of pictures or tables
full of magazines give the visual effect that the room can’t hold everything
that it should, and therefore looks smaller in size. Remember that openness and
neatness create a space that looks larger.
Furniture
The key to choosing furniture is to make sure it is size appropriate and
multifunctional. Overstuffed chairs and couches are better for larger rooms
while a loveseat or rocking chair might be better for small spaces. Measure the
room before you choose furniture to make sure it will fit.
Also look for pieces that serve multiple purposes so you can stay organized and
remove clutter. End tables and shelves often have built-in drawers for storage.
Even couches are multifunctional. For example, Natuzzi offers sofas that have a
comfortable pull-out bed without the typical center support bar. Additionally,
the sleeper sofas are designed for easy opening and a clutter-free sleeping
space. Not only do the upholstered components remain attached to the bed as it
unfolds, but built into the sofa frame are storage areas for pillows, linens or
other useful items.
Décor
Accent pieces are a good place to add color and patterns to your small room.
From casual-country to Asian-infused, develop your room theme through the
decorative details. Remember to minimize decorative pieces to eliminate a messy
look. A vase, one piece of wall artwork and several accent pillows will add a
lot of style without overdoing it.
Lighting
A small room needs to be adequately lit because light does a lot to visually
open up space. If you are able, consider built-in lighting such as track or
recessed elements. If not, use lamps that are smaller sizes and do not have
large shades.
Thick and heavy curtains keep out the natural light, so light and airy curtains
are key for smaller rooms. Another popular trick is to decorate with mirrors.
This not only makes the space appear larger, it helps reflect the light
throughout the room.
Color
Dark
colors and intricate designs are not suitable for the walls of smaller rooms.
When painting, choose a lighter color that opens up the wall space and also
reflects the light in the room.
It’s not a bad idea to coordinate color palettes so that the other elements of
the room match the walls. Carpet and furniture in the same tones blend the
visual flow and trick the eye, making the room appear larger. Companies such as
Natuzzi offer a variety of colors and fabrics to choose from. With over 200
colors of leather, 100 different fabric types and 60 options of microfiber, you
can customize a sofa to perfectly match your room.
“We know that today’s living demands flexibility and comfort as well as style.
It’s very exciting to see consumers taking charge of design in their homes and
creatively mixing styles,” said Pasquale Natuzzi, creative director for Natuzzi.
Follow these tips and you will be well on your way to finding success in
decorating your smaller spaces. For more information on lifestyle solutions that
work well for smaller rooms, visit
www.natuzzi.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent

Related Tips and Advice:
Home Laundry
Rooms
Decorating Small
Rooms
Modern Dining
Rooms
Yurts
DIY - Don't Hire
a Professional
Used Bedroom
Furniture
House Lot
Position
Building
Contractor Mistakes
How To Find A
Contractor You Will Love
|