Strategies for Decorating a Small Living Room

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Strategies for Decorating a Small Living Room

Staff Writer · Dec 22, 2009

You want to maximize your space and make it more appealing. Having a delectable assortment of home decor can distract from a small living space. Here are some things to keep in mind when decorating a small living room.

Use Mirrors

Using mirrors is a time honored tradition for decorating small spaces to look bigger. Because mirrors use the reflection of distance, you can add the appearance of few extra square feet to your living room. Of course, you don’t want to fill up your living room with mirrors and having it looking like a fun house. But a nice 3-piece sectional mirror set above your sofa can add a modern, classy approach to your living room style.

Add Lighting

Lighting is a perfect way to add a natural ambiance to your living room. If you have a balcony with sliding shades, open them once in a while and let the sunlight come through. Sunlight naturally enhances the square footage of your living space because it reaches every available inch. When sunlight is not available, you can opt for some nice up lighting or a sconce to make the desirable features of your living room stand out. Leaving a small living room with dark or dim lighting will only make it appear less inviting. The effects of lighting are immeasurable when used properly.

Hang Pictures

Hanging pictures is the art of distraction in a small living space. Rather than allowing people to focus on how small your living room is, give them the opportunity to gaze across the walls at your personal photos. Pictures of family, friends, holidays, pets and achievements are always a great way to make an otherwise regular living space appear more attractive. Even hanging a nice painting of wild horses or an apple orchard will add to the desirability of your home. However, because you are limited to space, remember to use it wisely. Overdoing your wall hangings so that not one inch of the white paint on your walls is visible can create a sense of isolation. Try to use wall space appropriately by hanging pictures and decorations so that they have at least 12 inches of space between them.

Keep Things Proportionate

The worst thing to do in a small living space is to have items in your home decor that simply don’t fit. If your living room is small and there is not ample room to walk around in, having a 52 inch large screen TV will only take away from it. Likewise, a large 3 piece sectional living room suit can provide obstacles for getting around. While these items are certainly nice to have in your home, people can recognize items that have been made to fit in a small area. Large items in a small space will only remind people of how small your living room actually is.

Don’t Overcrowd

While collecting knick knacks may be your hobby, your living room is only a good place to display some of them. Storing them on every wall not only adds to clutter, but it can take away from the decor of your home by making the room look overcrowded and, essentially, appear smaller than it really is. Try to use items of a similar kind sparingly. A nice variation of home decor will go much further than a room packed full of the same things.

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