By Keith Loria

Space Secrets: How to Maximize a Small Room's Potential People looking at houses almost always want space, so when you have a home on the market with a little living room or tiny bedroom or even a small kitchen, it could be seen as a negative. Luckily, there are some tricks of the trade that can help maximize the look and feel of small spaces.

“Just because a room is small, doesn’t mean that it can’t be attractive and eye-catching to a prospective buyer,” said Julia Snyder, a home stager in Kentucky. “There are a number of things you can do to ‘create’ space and give the appearance that it is bigger than it really is.”

An important thing to keep in mind is to create a focal point in the room, such as hanging one large painting rather than a group of small ones. If there’s too much going on, clamoring for attention, it can make a room feel busy and crowded. 

Choose furniture that will draw the eye. In the dining room, the focal point should be the table, in the bedroom, the bed. Arrange the furniture so that focus is drawn to that area, and keep the décor in the rest of the room to a minimum.

Snyder recommends using natural light in small rooms to its greatest potential, as it often helps a room look bigger than it really is.

“To take advantage of light from the window, consider using complimentary curtains. Blinds are often heavy, but curtains add a frame to your natural picture,” she said. “For non natural light, really have fun with your lamp designs. Consider modern chandelier fixtures, retro shades and sleek and modern recessed lighting.” 

Also good in diminutive rooms is the use of bright colors. Cream colors and icy blues are believed to be the best color combinations that can open up a tiny room into a bigger living area. Meanwhile, heavy, dark colors absorb light and can make a small space seem even smaller.

“It is all about illusion,” Snyder said. “Light colors make your room look bigger and brighter. Light and brightly colored walls are more reflective, making a space feel open and airy, which will help.”

Consider adding mirrors or glass to a room to also help with size. Mirrors are popular additions to furniture these days and can really give the impression that a room is larger than it really is.

When it comes to a small kitchen, keep things organized in cabinets and not laying around on the counters. Smaller chairs or stools are also better, as is a round table instead of a square one. Again, focus on natural light and color. 

Clutter is especially important to avoid in small rooms, as things will look messy much quicker in tiny spaces. 

A small space doesn’t have to be a bad thing. With the right design, furniture and color, you can make a small room leave a big impression. 

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