Tip of the week: How to make small spaces seem big

Stick to a single color. While color can warm a room, using different hues on adjacent walls can “break up a small space.” Pick a light shade and create a “uniform color palette” that’s easy on the eye.

Go big. Many people believe “small spaces call for small furniture.” But cramming rooms with “lots of little things” only makes them feel “cluttered.” Incorporate some “carefully chosen oversize pieces” to open up a space and boldly define the room.

Keep it simple. “Fussy curtains” and “frilly bedspreads” can often seem overwhelming. Fancy furnishings and trimmings “take up more visual space than tailored ones.” Instead, try to keep things “simple, sleek, and symmetrical.”

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Lighten up. “Sofas and chairs with long, slim legs and tables with pedestals can free up space.” Translucent plastic or glass furniture can help make small areas “light and airy.”

Source: The Boston Globe