by Dixie Thomason

Created on: April 17, 2009

I have lived in many different types of homes from extended stay motel suites, to apartments, as well as trailers and houses. In many of these spaces I had a small living room so I am well aware of the challenge it presents. Fortunately, there are some simple tricks which can be implemented to make a small living room appear much larger then it actually is, making the space feel more open and less closed in.

The first step in making a small room appear larger is to consider the color of the walls. Dark colors should be avoided as they tend to make a room feel and appear more closed in. For a small room, light colors are the key. I would suggest pale yellow, a light, airy pastel blue or green or any shade of white. These lighter, pale colors will brighten up the room, automatically making it appear bigger.

Also, consider you wall dcor. To many things hanging on your walls will make any size room appear crowded, especially a small room. Keep in mind that less is more when it comes to wall dcor. Pick out four or five of your favorite wall photos and/or artwork and stick with that. If you have several photos hanging on your wall and you feel that you simply can't choose between them, consider selecting smaller sizes of some of them and combining them all together into one collage style picture frame. Also, choose frames for your pictures and other wall dcor that are light in color. Also, consider a large, framed mirror. Mirrors make a room appear bigger by adding depth to the walls and light to the room. Place a large mirror on a wall opposite from a window or doorway.

You should also think about your window treatments. Dark and/or heavy curtains and drapes should be avoided. Some better choices would be light colored, see-through or lace panels or light colored blinds that can be opened to let sunlight in. Such options will allow more light into the room, making the room feel more spacious.

Finally, consider your furniture. Avoid using to many large, heavy peaces of furniture in a small room. If you have a matching sofa and loveseat, use one or the other in your living room. The other can always be used in another room if you wish to keep both. Only use the amount of furniture that you need. Keep in mind that it is not necessary to have wall to wall furniture in your living room, in fact, the room will look and feel more open if you don't. If you have or want a coffee table in your living room, glass topped coffee tables are a better choice for a small room then solid ones as just being able to see the floor makes a room appear larger.

Combine all of these simple tricks together and you will be amazed at how much more spacious your living room looks and feels.

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