The main factor that contributes to the crowded feeling that one has in small spaces is clutter. Newspapers, magazines, or books randomly strewn across the living room add to that “locked in” feeling. Simply stacking the magazines or placing them neatly on a table will add space to a room. The kitchen or dining room table is another culprit when it is full of mail, keys or other things that one tends to drop there because it is faster and easier than putting them away. The author had an aunt who lived in a very small house (so small that people called it a dollhouse) that was always clean and tidy and never made one feel cramped. Aunt Leta’s motto was “everything has a place and everything is in its place.” Above all, keep floors clean and clutter-free.
Light or neutral colored walls and floors add a sense of space to the environment. Leave windows uncovered and decorated with blinds that can be opened during daylight hours and closed at night for privacy and / or consider drapes that frame the windows rather than cover them. Too many pictures on the walls can close a room. Too much furniture can shrink your space and make it feel cluttered. Furniture should not only be small in number, it should be light or neutral in color with perhaps a colored accent table or two. Light gray furniture comes to mind accented with blue and orange pillow touches.
Let’s move on to the dreaded kitchen, a place that seems to be especially susceptible to that closed-off feeling. If you can afford it, a skylight is extremely useful in providing light and spaciousness. White cabinets and neutral light countertops with just a few strategically placed frequently used items can add a lot of space to the room.
Children’s rooms can be helped by offering convenient places to store unused toys and games. A desk and bookshelf in an older child’s room will provide space to store those items that often contribute to clutter, such as books, CDs,
etc.
If you are looking for a new home, look for one with high or vaulted ceilings. It is amazing how high ceilings can open a small house. Large windows will open up the house and make it appear larger. Hardwood floors are less limiting than wall-to-wall carpeting. Imagine hardwood floors with some strategically placed rugs.
Therefore, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money to create an open atmosphere. This entire article seems to be primarily devoted to the importance of good cleaning, doesn’t it? I’m sorry about that! But it is important. So let’s cut out the clutter, clear the dining room table, and put an inexpensive accent or conversation piece in the center. Then sit back in your favorite chair, look around the room and maybe out the window and enjoy the space you just created.
