Many condos currently on the market are not equipped with the largest of living areas, despite the increasing presence of large televisions, big couches, and the ever-increasing need for accessories and accents. Many condo owners simply aren’t prepared for the type of decorating required to transform a small space into one that looks much bigger than its dimensions belie. So, how is it done?
Eliminate Obstacles and Trick the Eye
Because the living area is small, many condo owners and decorators might be tempted to use smaller pieces of furniture and space them throughout the room to crate the illusion of space. But this, in fact, does not create any illusion of a larger living space. Instead, it draws the eye inward and makes the room look cluttered and over-decorated. Many people will feel claustrophobic or uncomfortable in such a space.
Instead, eliminate obstacles and clutter. Opt for larger pieces of furniture placed strategically throughout the room. Whereas smaller pieces of furniture draw the eye inward and force the mind to think small, a few larger pieces in a small room will draw the eye outward and fool the mind into believing it’s in a much larger space.
Pick Bold Colors
Another frequent temptation experienced by those who are working with smaller living areas is to use very light hues when painting the walls. The conventional wisdom is that lighter colors on the walls will give off the impression that the room is lighter, more airy, and larger overall. This may actually be the case for many people, but there’s a trick to using color: you can use bold hues and take advantage of a small space by making it cozy.
Darker hues relax the mind and communicate an air of sophistication and leisure. Even in a smaller space, they can be combined with lighter furniture elements (consider tan or cream couches, for instance) to create stark contrasts and bold design elements that open up a room. Remember, having a small living area is not necessarily a bad thing. It presents a unique opportunity to work with a small space and sometimes even flaunt it, painting it in a dark color that will beg for relaxation and togetherness.
Go Bold with Lighting, Too
One of the best ways to offset the dark hues that you’ve painted on the walls of your small living area is to choose bold lighting choices that truly illuminate the room. Where dark paint colors have a tendency to absorb natural light and make a room feel smaller, bold lighting choices will offset the natural tendencies of these colors and open up a room.
Choose tall floor lamps that help to illuminate the ceiling and draw the eye upward; and for side tables, choose modern and inventive light figures that radiate light outward, instead of simply downward. Many of the distressing elements of a small space can be eliminated simply by lighting the space with bold fixtures and opening up the dark corners.
Another great lighting choice comes in the form of wall-mounted uplights. These fixtures are the perfect trifecta for those working in tight quarters: they add a design element to the walls which inherently accessorizes a room, they illuminate the room in an upward fashion, and they help to break up the dark colors that you’ve painted on the walls in order to convey an air of comfort and relaxation. As an added bonus, these uplights generally use soft light which adds to the already-comfy feeling you’ve brought to this small space.
By Erik of Elliman Realtors, New York Real Estate.
