Space Savers For Small Rooms

Whether it´s a dorm, tiny apartment or just a generally small room, tight quarters can make a room seem unlivable and claustrophobic. Fortunately, there are a few small things you can do to really open up any undersized room.

Clean Up the Clutter

The biggest problems with small rooms are knick-knacks and clutter. A messy room always looks smaller than it actually is, no matter what the size. Avoid this by keeping surfaces clean and free of too many objects or decorations. A flower arrangement or a couple of picture frames are fine, but the decor should be proportional to the room; the smaller the living space, the less "stuff" you should have in it.

Build Up

Now that you´ve lessened the clutter in your small room, take advantage of the empty wall space and build up. What´s building up? It means adding shelves, bookcases and storage space that goes vertically instead of horizontally, which takes up unnecessary floor space. Also, aesthetically pleasing shelves and storage can really add to the value of a room.

Add a Mirror or Two

Mirrors are much more valuable space savers than most people realize. They create the illusion of extra space by adding dimension to the room. There´s no need to go out and buy huge, floor length mirrors; any size will suffice, although of course the bigger the mirror, the more open it may make the room appear. However, quality is always better than quantity, so go for an elegant mirror that matches the theme of the room, rather than the biggest mirror you can find.

Light and Colors Are the Key

Limit color schemes to pastels and neutrals as dark or bright colors can create the effect that the walls are closer than they actually are. If the floor is dark, white or light colored throw rugs are a good accent. Try to keep all colors soft and stay away from bold furniture, especially large pieces like couches and tables.

Also, light can really open a small space. Take advantage of natural light by staying away from thick, dark curtains; instead, get sheer fabric and hook to pull it back during the day. For naturally dark rooms, or during the night, floor lamps are better than table lamps or ceiling lights because they don´t take up surface space as the former does, and the latter makes the ceiling appear lower.

Always remember, the important thing in tight quarters is the amount of things you have in the room. If you keep it simple with light colors, while making the most of the space you have, your small room can be transformed in a matter of days.

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