bluedango Bulletin

When decorating a small room, the primary goals are often to maximize the space available and to create a feeling of spaciousness. Proper planning, furniture placement, and organized storage space can maximize the space you have, while color and lighting considerations can be used to emphasize the space available. Understanding the effects of color and light on the perception of space will help you to create a sense of spaciousness when you decorate a small room.

Create Spaciousness with Color

Beginning with the basics, we can examine the effects of light and dark colors within a small space. For instance, light colors make rooms and objects look larger than they are, while darker colors make them look smaller and heavier. Lighter colored ceilings and carpets create the effect of a higher ceiling and a larger space. The same applies to wall color, so using light wall colors with matching trim and baseboards will also make space seem larger.

Although lighter colors do create an airy sense, this does not mean that you are limited to using lighter colors when you decorate a small room. In fact, contrasting dark colors with lighter colors further emphasizes the effect of spaciousness. For instance, if you place a dark couch on light colored flooring, and you have a lighter wall behind it, the couch will seem smaller and the room will appear even more spacious. So, you can actually use dark colors to create the sense of openness in a smaller space. The important consideration is to use darker colors in contrast with lighter colors to create the illusion of more space.

Light and Reflection Can Make a Room Look Larger

You can also create the perception of a larger space with the use of lighting. Just as a lighter colored ceiling creates the sense of openness, so too, can bright windows and natural light. Since blinds and window covers minimize window exposure and moderate natural light, use window coverings sparingly in smaller rooms. Maximizing the natural light will emphasize the space and make the room appear larger. You can also use the reflection of light to make a smaller space appear larger. Strategically placing a decorative mirror, or even a collection of mirrors, is an easy way to use the reflection of light to your advantage in decorating a small space.

Decorating a small room with the goal of making limited space feel more spacious can be easy when you consider the impact of color and light on our perception of space. By using color and light to your advantage, you can emphasize the space in the room and make your small room feel more open and spacious.