Add mirrors to make the illusion of more room. They also reflect light, which is a big plus if you are short on windows, or enjoying your space primarily in evenings when the sun is down. Be creative! Try placing a large floor mirror in a corner, and place a great floor lamp in front of it. You could also make a collage of smaller mirrors on your wall. Just keep in mind that the mirrors are going to reflect the space back- so make sure your area is neat and tidy or you will feel overwhelmed with clutter!

Draw the eye upwards with a statement light fixture. There are SO many different styles of ceiling fixtures available now. Truly something for every taste! Having great light from above also takes away some of the need for table lamps, which can take up more than their share of real estate in a small space.

Use large scale artwork. It will draw the eye upward, yes, but it also makes normal size furniture appear smaller. (So you don’t always have to choose the tiniest of furniture pieces. You will however, need less of it.)

Keep the floor clear. Using floating night tables, and ceiling and wall light fixtures are ideal solutions.

Try a drapery wall. I read about this idea in an article a woman wrote after redecorating her tiny 325 square foot New York City home. You can add texture and fake out a non-existent window with floor to ceiling drapes. It is an uncluttered focal point, as opposed to the collage of personal photos she previously had in place. The room seemed less boxed in. You can use the same colour as your walls, or something in contrast for a real POP.

Maintain ROOM around the furniture. Keep it off the walls and leave space between your furniture. You don’t want everything all squished together, huddled in the corners. You may need to get rid of pieces that you don’t use every day (small tables, accent chairs, etc.)

Use folding/convertible furniture. Maximize the use of your space by selecting furniture pieces that you can compact when not in use. Ideas are Murphy Cabinet Beds, dining tables with leaves, benches with storage built in, and beds with storage.

Bigger can be better…when it comes to area rugs. Most people would think small room small rug. I disagree. Use the largest size you can fit in the room and enjoy the dramatic look it gives you. The rug can pull the space together and unite all the pieces sitting on top of it.

Don’t be afraid to go BOLD with colour. When painting your small space it is some sort of unwritten rule that it must be white. I agree, this can look lovely, but I find it can also be stark, institutional almost. If you have the nerve, try a deep rich jewel tone. It will add warmth, drama, and luxury and is an ideal backdrop for the treasured furniture and accessory pieces that you have kept. Just remember to keep to a limited palate. Too many colours in a small space can be visually upsetting.

Layer accessories. Doing so gives the eye somewhere to land and helps to avoid a cluttered look. Build little vignettes of your favourite pieces. A small space is not somewhere you can display your entire collection of knick-knacks. Select your favourite and put the rest in storage. (You can rotate the items with the seasons, or as you wish.) Choose only what is absolutely useful or absolutely beautiful.