Whether you’re a Manhattanite at heart or just out of luck in the suburbs, we all get stuck with small bedrooms at one time or another. Follow these simple tips to make your space feel less claustrophobic:
- Choose a light color for your wall paint, as dark colors will make a room appear smaller. For the ceiling, stick with bright white paint. Additionally, if your room has two short walls and two long ones, paint the short walls a slightly lighter color to make them look longer.
- If possible, find linear flooring like ceramic tile or hardwood and orient the lines diagonally to lengthen your space.
- Don’t let your bed dominate your bedroom. Find a piece without a headboard or footboard that comes with a low frame. Position it in one corner of the room.
- Clutter can make a room look crowded, so for a small bedroom it’s all about storage. Maximize your closet space with closet organizer systems and only select end tables and desks with built-in compartments.
- Be careful about details. Avoid patterned bedspreads and rugs, and don’t load up the walls with too many photographs and posters.
These are the classic tips for making a small room look big, but some modern decorators employ the opposite approach – embracing the small size instead of masking it. This means throwing out the rule book and playing up your tiny room with large pieces and bold colors.
