If you live in a house or flat with small rooms, or have recently moved to a smaller place, you'll know it can be a nightmare to decorate, without making it look like an overcrowded box.
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But size doesn't need to matter: small can be beautiful too. All you need to do is make a few compromises with your home, and decorate practically.
Before you start any interior designing, you're going to need to declutter. Get rid of anything you've not used in the last year or so, or don't need. Anything you must keep, store out of sight. Nothing makes a room feel cramped and poky like mounds of clutter.
This counts for your walls too: take down posters and paintings, and just focus on having maybe one large painting per room. When you've cleared out all your unnecessary stuff, your place will already begin to feel more open and spacious.
Make the most of lighting and windows. Natural light is best for smaller spaces, so don't cover up your windows with thick blinds. If you only have little windows, add a few lights to make your room look more 'outdoorsy'.
In the same way, mirrors can also lighten up a room, therefore making it look bigger. If you're a careful sort of person, glass furniture can do this too, so invest in a glass coffee table. If you don't dare, for fear of a nasty accident, you can instead opt for a clear perspex side table. Both will 'disappear' into their surroundings, thereby reducing the cluttered look.
Link rooms together, to make it seem as though there is more space. This means putting down the same flooring in rooms that connect, so they lead onto one another better, giving the impression of one big room. And take out as many doors as you can, it'll make your flat feel like a studio apartment.
Your paintwork can also make a difference. Lighter shades of paint can make your rooms feel more open, so go for pastel blues or neutral colours, like magnolia. Stay away from patterned wallpaper, as it will make your walls feel closer together; though if you want to make your room more interesting, you can pick out a feature wall or chimney breast for exciting prints.
In contrast, darker colours don't always necessarily make your space feel crowded, but can make it feel cosy, if that's the mood you're going for.
Emily Bancroft
Tagged in decorating tips Home & Garden