The expert Advice Blog

Let’s face it. Fitting everything you need into a small space is not an easy task. But, building your home into a place you enjoy is all about making the most of the space you have. If your house is made up of smaller spaces, there’s no need to feel cramped. Here are some of our favourite tips for making small rooms look bigger!Why not take advantage of Mother Nature’s offerings? One of the best ways to give the impression of more space is with effective use of natural light. Try doing away with window coverings altogether. It lets in the light and the views give the room added depth. If you need a little more privacy, try sheer curtains like the Habitat Debutante Ivory Grommet Curtain.

It’s also helpful to use a few sources of lighting rather than a single ceiling fixture. Try the Chrome Finish Floor Lamp and the White Table Lamp to add extra lighting zones.When considering what colour to paint your space, keep it light and try painting your walls, trim and detailing with different shades of the same colour. Pale colours like white, cream, pale greys, greens or blues open up the room.

To add a little drama, and give the illusion of greater height, paint the ceiling something dark and dramatic – like Let Me Be Perfectly Claret (R158-3) from the Beauti-Tone Colour Comes Home Collection. It really draws the eye, creates depth and gives the illusion of height even if you don’t necessarily have high ceilings.Get furniture that is multi-functional and adjustable. For example, find an ottoman that has storage for blankets or candles like the Storage Ottoman. And look for a dining table with drop down or leafs like the 3 Piece Dinette, which also has storage underneath. It will only take up extra space when necessary. Even if your room is small, the furniture doesn’t have to be. Try pulling couches out from the wall to open up the space, or stage it on an angle. Have one prominent piece, maybe a statement armchair like the Lane Hi-Leg Recliner, to keep the space uncluttered and open, and to show what the room can accommodate. Also, regarding sofas and armchairs, look for pieces that have longer legs and don’t appear to sit on the floor, like the Décor Rest Sofa and Best Chair Wing Chair. That little extra space you can see underneath actually makes a pretty big difference in opening up the room.To make the most of the space you’ve got, you want the most practical storage you can find. Cube storage is available in many different sizes and colours. The 6 Cube Espresso Storage Organizer helps you take advantage of the space you have and adds style to the room. Using over the door hooks and hangers can also save some space, and there are loads to choose from. To make the most of your wall space, there are plenty of decorative brackets available, like the 10” Decorative White Colonial Shelf Bracket. Then you can choose from a number of shelf options. White is best in a small space, like the Knape & Vogt White Laminate Shelf. There are also folding shelf brackets like the 8” Folding White Shelf Bracket, great for getting them out of the way when you’re not using them. When space is really at a premium, you need to get creative. While the Builder’s Hardware Ceiling Mount Bicycle Lift Storage Hook is designed for garages, it works great in apartments and condos as well.

All it takes is a little imagination and some practical products to make your small space feel big. Experiment with different types of lighting, furniture, layouts and you’ll have a more visually appealing, larger looking room in no time!