Small Space Orgization and Storage Saving Solutions

Five Things To Keep In Mind When Decorating A Small Space

1) A flat, white wall finish is not your only option. White will give the illusion of space, but also has a tendency to make a room look stark and austere, rather like the corridors of a hospital. Choose a light pastel or a pale neutral instead. Your space will look larger, but the touch of color adds a warm, inviting tone, . For the truly adventurous there any number of fun paint finishes to try. Remember, it's just paint, so if you can't live with the results, another coat or two will take care of it.

2)The average apartment is 600 - 800 square feet. Storage is always a problem! Furniture and accessories should serve a dual purpose, whenever possible. A chest / trunk can be used as a coffee table. An armoire to house the tv and a host of other knick knacks is also a good idea. Find creative storage. solutions.

3) Another storage and display solution is to build upwards, since floor space is limited. Pre-cut and finished shelving can be bought at your local hardware or Home Depot and easily wall mounted with brackets. A word to the wise,measure carefully as this will involve drilling holes in the wall. Wall mounted accessories for tapes, cds and magazines also free up valuable floor space.

4) Little room does not mean furniture and accessories on an equal scale. This is a common mistake when decorating it. The tendency is to use a lot of little things because you think anything larger would overwhelm the room. In reality, a lot of small items, (three or four small chairs, accent tables, a tv stand, stereo equipment cabinet and assorted knick knacks and accessories) will make it look cluttered. There is also no focal point for the eye when you walk into this room, . A really fabulous sofa or love seat with one accent chair, a coffee table and an all-in-one storage solution such as an armoire or an entertainment center, all with clean lines, is the way to go. Reduce the number of accessories and knick knacks (a friend of mine calls them dust collectors) or simply replace them with a few items of bigger, bolder design.

5) Last season's design trend of 'anything goes and symmetry's dead' is truly over! Just as well, because that line of thought brought chaos to many a area. Too many patterns, too many colors and too many mis-matched items in a room leads to a cluttered, restless space that looks like it was decorated by someone on lsd. Choose a focal point. It could be any number of things, the sofa, a painting, the window treatment, a rug, paint color. Everything in the room should then flow from this focal point. Guide the eye naturally from one item to the next. Co-ordinate patterns and colors that blend well together.