15 genius decorating tricks to make a small room feel bigger

As with walls and ceilings, light-coloured flooring can create the illusion of a larger space. If you don’t have the option of replacing dark wood floors or carpet, use light-coloured rugs to cover as much of the area as possible. Whether you use area rugs or able to install new flooring, choose colours that will complement the wall paint. Here’s how to find the right flooring to suit your space.

If your small room already has a pale, neutral envelope (think white or off-white walls and ceilings and pale flooring), give it some character by introducing one accent colour with varying shades and/or textures. Exercising restraint in your choice of coloured toss cushions, throw blankets, area rugs and accents will allow you to make a high-impact style statement without sacrificing the feeling of space.

Sometimes the only thing lacking in a small room is storage space. When there’s no square footage in the floor plan for another shelving unit, consider a built-in cabinet that utilises the space within the walls. Here’s how to make a built-in home office.

Opt for see-through furniture, such as a glass coffee table or clear acrylic desk. Clear furniture helps to make a small room feel more open while still providing a functional surface.

A floor-to-ceiling bookcase showcases a small room’s height while adding a lot of space-saving vertical storage.

When it comes to large-scale furniture (think sofas, loveseats and headboards), it’s also a wise move to choose neutral-coloured upholstery rather than eye-catching colours with busy patterns. You can always add heaps of character with smaller (not to mention, more affordable) accents like toss cushions, throw blankets and bedding; plus, they won’t date as quickly as they would if you were to choose a trendy hue.

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Source: RD Canada