'Small Space, Big-Time Solutions'

“Small is beautiful,” I find myself saying when others like to tease me about my tiny 5’1 frame.

In fact, the phrase “small is beautiful” tends to apply to most of my life: my miniscule cell phone, my appetite for bite-size foods and desserts, my fondness of small dogs like min pins and terriers, and my love of major cities.

Unlike others that dream of owning an expansive house or stretching their legs out on acres of land, I never dreamed of much more than a cozy luxury apartment close to friends and family with all the amenities and location, location, location.

For now, I’m satisfied with my 800-square foot space located just outside the city. Decorating can be a challenge, though. Just as I, petite as I am, must concern myself with proportion, fit and color when tackling my wardrobe, the same rules apply to decorating a small space.

Mirrors widen this space instantly

Take the time to reflect

Using mirrors to make spaces appear larger is a classic decorating tactic. The mirrors not only create depth with the trompe-l’oeil of its reflection, but mirrors also invite natural and artificial light to bounce light deep into the room. Mirrors over vanities, wardrobe-length mirrors and large wall mirrors make for good investments when trying to accentuate a small room.

Small furniture doesn't overwhelm this small room

Scale it down

The last thing you would want to do is purchase a hefty-size piece of furniture for a small room with low ceilings. Everyone will have that oversized couch confused for Alice in Alice in Wonderland when the character drinks a mysterious elixir and grows to gargantuan size.

Look for furnishings in scaled-down proportions: open back chairs, a small love seat or sofa, a slim rocker, a wrought-iron or open headboard for the bed. Make sure to keep the eye level view obstructed. And if you opt for taller furniture, do remember to place it on the far side of the wall, opposite the room’s entrance.

Positioning furniture at an angle makes this small room look larger

Take it from another angle

Now that you have the furniture in the right size and fit, it’s time to position it. The longest line in any given room is its diagonal. When furniture is placed at a 45 degree angle or less, the eye focuses more on the longer diagonal line that you have created instead of noticing the shortness of the length of the wall.

The angling of the furniture does not have to be too well-thought out. Play with the space and use the empty corners for some additional storage space.

And you will have yourself saying “small is beautiful” in no time.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of www.casasugar.com; www.apartmenttherapy.com; www.lovelyundergrad.com