1. Paint smaller rooms in softer, lighter colors to
help make the room feel larger.
The living room above is a great example of how to maximize a
small living space. A room of this size has the tendency to seem
cramped, but the large windows, light colored walls and ample
use of mirrors not only reflect the natural light pouring in from
the doors and the windows but the use of mirrors also gives
the optical illusion of space, making the room seem larger than
it actually is. Conversely, darker colors will make a room feel
smaller. Even with the abundance of natural light and the strate-
gic placement of the mirrors, this room in a darker shade would
have a more boxed-in feel to it.
2. Use decorative mirrors to add
instant light to your living space.
As seen above, mirrors can also be used
to make a small space feel larger. For larg-
er rooms, or any room with a more limited
amount of natural light, mirrors placed di-
rectly across from the windows, will add
instant light. Decorative mirrors can also be
used in lieu of art to fill empty wall space.
Large or small, mirrors add light and dimen-
sion to your living space.
3. Mix it up. Mix up patterns and textures. Mix up old and
new, expensive and inexpensive.
There’s nothing wrong with placing family
heirlooms alongside your modern couch.
All good interior decorators will tell you
that the most important aspect to decorat-
ing your home is that it reflects who you are,
your personality and your style. The antique
Chippendale desk that was your grandfa-
ther’s tells a story. It tells the story of your
past. The modern couch you fell in love with
and simply had to purchase also tells a sto-
ry, your present story, and there is no reason
why the present and past can’t co-exist beau-
tifully together.
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May 2017
STRY