Home Decorating Idea Checklist: 10 Ways To Make A Room Seem Larger Or Smaller

Refer to this home interior decorating idea checklist whenever you want a a small room to appear larger or vice versa. It's obvious why someone would want to make a tiny room appear wider or taller, but why would you want to shrink a spacious room?...

The reason is because a large room can sometimes seem cold and impersonal. For example, many people try to create an oversized conversation area within a large space. This results in too much distance between seating and so conversation is strained or limited.

Try these home decorating ideas and I'm sure you'll be surprised and pleased with the effects:

• Use Up-lighting- Up-lighting will make a room seem taller. Use up-lighting as a backdrop for plants or a screen.

• Prevent Light From Flowing Upward- If light is kept from flowing upward, the room will appear cozier. Use darker lamp shades or low light sconces.

• Wash One Wall With Light- Washing a wall with light will make a room appear wider.

• Wallpaper or Paint Stripes- This will make a room seem taller.

• Paint Walls A Cool Color- Applying a light, cool paint color (blue, violet, and green family) to your walls will make the room appear more spacious.

• Create Two Conversation Areas- If you create two conversation areas in a very large room, this will make the room appear to be cozier overall. Conversation will flow more comfortably as well.

• Use A Large Armoire- An oversized armoire will add height to a room.

• Hang Decorative Mirrors- Mirrors reflect whatever is in front of them. Try positioning the mirror so that it reflects a great view or something interesting. This will make your room appear larger. The mirror pictured below, in my living room, happens to be built-in, but notice the level of depth it provides. Thus making the room appear larger. Now, imagine the effect if that space was just some dumb wall.

  

  
  
  
• Hang Drapes/Curtains Higher- If you hang drapes above your windows, higher than usual, it will make the window appear taller and therefore the room. This is a great way to add drama to a room and make a window seem more impressive.

• Lay Area Rugs- Lay area rugs to section off a large space. A beautifully patterned oriental rug can easily stand on its own as a transition piece from one side of a room to the next. The rug will do a wonderful job of creating the perception of two smaller, yet inter-related rooms.

  If you could use a decorating idea or two for an area rug, I recommend that you check out ifloor. They have an extensive selection of oriental and other rugs to suit any decorating style.

  Bellacor is a site that I recommend for decorative mirrors and lighting. I like this site because they have many interesting items. In addition, you can view items by simply indicating your decorating style. They even have a decent selection of area rugs.

  Finally, if you're in the market for an armoire, you should first visit Furniture Find. They offer thousands of brand name furniture at discounted prices. Also, you'll find lots of online images that give great decorating ideas.

  A major benefit of Furniture Find. is that they carry many more items than any brick and mortar shop. And through their free Personal Shopper service they will search high and low for any item that you can't find on their web site.

  So even if you find something you like at your local furniture store, put Furniture Find to work to see if the price can be beaten. You have nothing to lose!
  
  I hope this home decorating idea checklist has been helpful.

  If your home could use a little spicing up, then don't miss an issue of DecoDreams, our FREE e-zine. You'll find lots of tips to help busy weekend decorators like yourself. Click here for more great free interior decorating ideas.
  
  And if you'd like to explore some excellent books on this home interior decorating topic, please check out the recommended resource links listed below.

  We also offer more in depth home decorating ideas for all the rooms in your home. You can view the entire list by clicking on our home page link below.

  Resources for more Home Decorating Ideas - Books
  
  The Awaken Your Interior Designer! Collection - Featuring more than 1000 photos and 700 pages, this unique set of four home decorating and decor eBooks is filled with decorating tips about design style, color schemes, furniture, fabrics and patterns, window treatments, accessories, and more for each room of the house.
  
  Click here for more great ideas to help you with your home decorating!
  
  
  

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