How to decorate a small space

Mansions, Bungalows and Villas may be your dream home, but they will not be as cozy and comfortable as your regular sized apartment or average size house. It doesn't matter how small your house is,” the trick is in furnishing it”, to make it look more spacious and roomy. It is not at all impossible to make your house bigger for a person who has a keen eye for interior decorating. Here a few tips to help you decorate the place you call” Home”.

Make it multipurpose

Keep your apartment attractive and at the same time, functional. Don't go overboard in buying new things, try to buy items that suit your personality and will be pleasing to look at. Keep a theme in your apartment and follow it, instead of going for luxurious and fancy, go for simple and economical, that will blend with the surroundings.  Simple and economical are no longer considered cheap.  We live in the knock-off world and look a likes are abundant.

Select a lighting plan and turn those lights on.
Make yourself a hand drawing with furniture drawn in place and get a idea where you will need lighting.

Lights will make the room seem bigger and brighter. You can use all kind of lamps, tube lights, bulbs and even candles to brighten up any room. Open up all your windows to let the sunlight inside the room. Clean your windows regularly to ensure an unobstructed view as well. Using dim lights all around the house will lighten up your mood and make the house look airy and radiant.

Always have a budget

Whether you are planning to buy second hand items or shop at thrift shops, set a budget. While buying big items such as a bed or sofa, look for comfort rather than style and looks. For the bed, buy the largest you can afford and the most comfortable. Keep the bed as low to the floor as you can, this will surely make the room look larger. However, there is a special feel to a bed that is elevated.  Most beds are not on the floor. When I say ‘Bed’ I am talking about the headboard, footboard and the mattress and springs. As for the sofa, go for a medium to small sized one, where you can laze around and be comfy. Go in for a sofa that can be converted into a bed, if you lack space. These ‘Hide-a-bed’s’ are not the comfy type.  It will probably cost you a little more to get the sofa that is comfortable because you pay more for the better foam or feathers. If you are planning to buy more furniture, keep it minimal. The worst thing you can do with a small room is to clutter it.

Remember ‘Don't fill up ‘

There is no need to fill up the walls with posters, paintings, wall hangings etc. Use one or two large ones that will give a nice feel to the room, but,” DO NOT OVERDO IT”! The more you put up on your walls, the smaller your house will look. Also avoid jam packed patterns on you table linen, curtains, bed sheets etc, this will look as though it has filled up the room. At the same time, don't forget to put some decorative items here and there. A bare room will look just as bad and tiny as one that is over-cluttered, the idea is to strike a balance.

Now, Keep things stored away.

Make sure your apartment/house is clean and organized; this will most definitely make your rooms look larger. Use up spaces such as under the bed, over the kitchen counter, cupboards and closed shelves to put away all your things.  Consider closet organizers.  Some a very cost effective and will allow you to make better use of that space.  Some of them are portable, so you can take if with you if you move to another apartment.

Create serene surroundings

Instead of going for the chaotic and complex, make your environment calm and peaceful. Paint the walls in muted, natural colors in order to make them look spacious and quiet, have bolder colors in the bedroom or bathroom. Not only will it look great, but you will love coming back home everyday.

On the subject of Color

Nothing brightens up the place more than adding color. It is a great way to make your house look lived in. Add some potted plants, place flowers in vases to make the house look bright and colorful. Buy colorful cushions, rugs and paint the walls. Strong colors can look flashy in bright light, while pale colors can look dull in dim light, so try the reverse - dark colors for dark rooms, pale colors for bright rooms. Though the 2012 trend is ‘Bright colors’. And I am not into pale colors.  BE BOLD!!  Am I being too bold?

Prioritize

Keep in mind the most important part of your house, and plan the space accordingly. For example, someone who works from home may need a big study, and may be willing to forgo the dining area. If you are someone who needs a lot of space, then having a sofa/bed or a fold up bed is a sensible idea. These are simply some tips to be taken into consideration, check out which is most effective for you.

Keep it real, keep it fun and as always “Happy Painting”Ken Rader Interiors  (www.kenraderinteriors.com)  (www.facebook.com/ken.rader.interiors)