Small rooms in your house can prove problematic to decorate. As hard as we try to create space – or create the illusion of space – often small rooms can feel cluttered and claustrophobic.
However, it is more simple than you think to find the right design for the smaller rooms in your house. Sticking with a particular colour palette, being strategic with furniture style and placement, and incorporating mirrors can all help to make smaller rooms appear larger.
Use these top tips on how to decorate the small rooms in your house and you might discover that there is more space than you think.
Choose minimalist furniture
Choosing minimalist furniture is the best way to make smaller rooms feel less cluttered.
Large sofas and squashy armchairs can be swapped for an elegant settee and matching chairs. Traditional dining tables and heavy coffee tables should be upgraded to sleeker models, or even foldable options that can be stored out of sight when not in use.
You should also take steps to replace bulky storage units with minimalist options. For example, floating shelves make a neat alternative to cabinets. Trunks and boxes for shoes and children’s toys can be switched for soft bags that can hang on the inside of doors or the wardrobe.
Minimise awkward spaces
Small gaps between different pieces of furniture can give the illusion that your possessions are pushing forward, making the space feel cramped. Built-in seating by the window makes a great reading nook and is an effective alternative to a traditional seating area.
You can also look into upgrading your central heating system with vertical radiators – this is a great way to save wall space which helps you to better arrange your furniture. Along the same lines, rather than using a traditional TV stand, why not consider upgrading to a flat screen model and mounting it directly to the wall?
Choose one colour scheme
Most people think that small rooms need to be decorated in light colours to create the illusion of more space. However, bold colours can work as long as there is one overarching colour scheme. Too many colours and patterns can inspire a sense of chaos and make the room feel overwhelming.
Stick to one colour palette and use contrasting shades and tones for variety. More light and depth can be generated using strategically placed mirrors and lamps. Mirrors are also a great way to make the room seem twice its actual size. Glass-topped tables have a similar effect as they do not obstruct the eye, allowing you to see through to the space beneath.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
