Tip: 6 Tricks to Enlarge Small Living Space

You can’t physically stretch a room bigger than it is with out building on, but you can give it the illusion of looking larger with these simple pointers:

1. Lighting.
   Let the sunshine in. Eliminate draperies, if you must, use blinds instead. Place fluorescent lighting behind valances, under cabinets, over work places. Forego the use of floor lamps and mount wall or indirect lighting or sconces.
2. Colour.
   Stay with one or at the most, two light colors that blend and flow from one room to another.
3. Carpeting.
   Stick with one colour of broadloom throughout the house.
4. Mirrors.
   The use of mirrors can double the size of a room. Consider mirrored walls to reflect outdoor views or give a room the perception of greater depth. Under-cabinet mirrors and lighting in a kitchen give a feeling of openness.
5. Built-ins.
   Wherever you can tuck a cabinet, shelf, small table, or appliance you make use of awkward space and reclaim valuable floor space.
6. Furnishings.
   Stay clear of large, bulky furnishings. Use simple-lined, small-scale furniture and place it against the walls, leaving plenty of open space.