By positioning mirrors in the right places, you have the power to make any room
appear larger. Whether you live in a loft, or a four bedroom house, you can
follow these tips to make small areas more comfortable.
- If you are living in a loft, you probably might have pillars throughout the
room. Mirror them and they'll seem to disappear.
- If you want a hallway/stairway to appear wider: stagger mirrors on either
side.
- If you want a hallway/stairway to appear longer: a mirror at the end will
double its length.
- Make sure mirrors reflect only things you want to see more of. Do not
place a mirror directly across from a laundry basket, or any
cluttered/generally dirty area. Instead, you might want to place it across
from a source of light, a favorite painting, or a window.
- You can multiply candles, flowers, etc.
by joining together several mirrors with butt hinges and placing them behind
the objects on a mantle or table.
- Consider replacing dark closet doors with sliding mirrored doors to open up
a space.
HELPFUL LINKS:
In living color...
The colors you choose to decorate a room contribute more than anything to the
feelings you associate with it. Remember the following when choosing a color
scheme:
- The best color for opening up a room is bright white.
- If bright white makes you shudder, try adding a few drops of your favorite
color for a tinted, warmer look.
- If that's still not your cup of tea, try beige or light grey
- Bright colors like yellow and white seem more inviting & open because they
reflect light
- Dark, dramatic colors like maroon and forest green seem more intimate
because they absorb the light
- Always check paint stores for mistinted paint. You might find an unusual
color that appeals to you, and you'll get it at a discounted price.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Move it or lose it...
To make a room appear spacious when it isn't, you need to minimize your
posessions. If you're moving from a large home into a smaller one, take this
into consideration:
- Purchase dual purpose furniture (fold out couch, futon, flip out bed,
coffee tables with storage underneath, etc.)
- Put unneeded furniture in storage, or ask your friends/relatives if they
could borrow it until you need it again
- Get rid of clutter. Unless you are sentimentally attached, you don't need
many nick nacks. They will only make your rooms appear smaller.
Remember...just because you live in a small space doesn't mean it has to feel
that way
Published: April 2, 2002
Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.
