Are you trying to get the biggest look possible from a small room? Whether it’s because you’re just starting out in a New York City apartment or you’ve recently downsized because your children moved out, having space at a premium can present challenges when it comes to furnishing and decorating your home. Here are five tips that can help:

Start with Furniture Scale

Your furnishings need to fit the space you have. If, for example, you have a small living room, an oversized sofa may not be the best choice – it could completely dwarf the room. If you love the piece’s oversized look, perhaps a loveseat or chair from the collection could bring the same charm to your space but at a more suitable size.

Light Colors Work Wonders

Choose a light color palette to make the room appear bigger and airier. Begin with light-colored furniture, window treatments, accessories and bedding, and then drape the walls, floors and ceilings in a similar palette.

Choose Artwork Wisely

You know how set designers use receding perspectives, like a pathway to a distant point, to make the stage appear to go on forever? You can use the same trick in your home! Hang pictures of landscapes or abstracts with vanishing or receding perspective to give the eye a greater sense of depth.

Neaten Up

Keep your room tidy and clutter-free! Give eyes an easy path to absorb the combination of all elements. Items haphazardly scattered in the room will break up your decor, making the space seem smaller than it is.

Mirror Image

Place a mirror on the wall, opposite an architectural detail or a prized piece of furniture. This will give the impression of an expanded room, while doubling the visual impact of something you love. You can also use this trick to replicate a favorite view within your room.

Browse furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Living Room Furniture, Bedroom Furniture, Accent Furniture