Bigger is better for many circumstances in life. Take umbrellas for example or how about bank accounts or a theoretical big heart? When it comes to small spaces it's easy to scale back on size, but we're here to reassure you that these 5 things are always better bigger when it comes to home decor!
1. Rugs
Never do you hear someone say, "Sally, your rug is just too big for this room." Do you know why? Because bigger is always better when it comes to floor coverings. Pieces that are too small can make the space feel even more tiny. When in doubt, order the next size up — you won't regret it. Don't forget, round rugs are a small space's best friend!
2. Lighting
Small spaces are made to feel bigger with light. Natural light is our first love, but we'll make do with artificial when we have to. Use lots of it and don't forget to use big pendants, shades and lamp bases to maximize the look. Check out these posts for more lighting ideas:
- • A Big Pendant in a Small Space
• Small Space Solution: Wall-Mounted Sconces & Clip Lights
• Small Space Lighting Solution: Multiple Pendant Lamps
3. Artwork
There isn't any size space that looks bad with large artwork, but in a small space, having one main focal piece can be a great way to draw your attention to the furthest point away, thus making the space look larger. Check out our mega-gallery of small spaces that play host to extra large artwork!
4. Accessories
It's not that large accessories hold an extra special place in our hearts, but it's really easy in a small space to only pick up small pieces (usually with intentions to make cute vignettes) and everything suddenly feels miniature. Small is fine, just make sure you have some larger pieces to balance them out. Remember when all else fails, mirrors are a great piece to super-size, still allowing you to buy that 3" dog statue from your local flea market!
5. Storage Space
Storage is greatly coveted in small space living and one of the easiest ways to get the most out of your floor plan is to take things all the way to the ceiling. Build your own bookcase and make it 9 feet tall. Fill it with books, baskets of clothes — anything you have — but make a statement with it. Not only will it look great, but it will clear up other parts of your home that might feel weighed down by additional material in them. Check out a few great links on just this sort of idea:
- • Modern Spaces: Small Space Storage Gallery
• 8 Best Small Space Shelving Solutions
• Small Space Storage Solution: Poufs and Beanbags
What do you think looks better bigger in small spaces? Share your ideas below!
Image: Flickr member thezartorialist.com licensed for use by Creative Commons
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tiny apartment, big white table... eat at it work at it hide under it, keep the surface empty when not in use and surround by benches and stools (at most one highback chair) creates big feeling of space and horizontal ease
Nitpick moment - it's farthest, not furthest when dealing with literal distances.
Sorry, but my family makes this mistake all the time and it drives me nuts. (Even worse is the dreaded invented word 'furtherest'. Argh!)
Go big with your sofa (mine is 8 feet). It's the center of my small apt and serves as a guest bed when F&F visit.
these are fabulous tips!! thanks!
Totally disagree with point no. 1, a bigger rug is not always better. In fact in a small space having a decent margin of visible floor around a rug can make the space seem considerably larger, particularly if the rug isn't tucked under the legs of any furniture. I speak from experience on this one having tried three different rug sizes in a particular room and in the end going with one I cut down to size myself.
Agree with idontdobeige. I too end up cutting down an old rug so that it doesn't run into other zones in my new place. Especially with nice hardwood floors, you need to let the floors shine through and provide nice framework around and through the rooms. It's when you have a series of mismatched small rugs that doesn't do your home any favor.
@idontdobeige --
You're entitled to your opinion of course...
...but IMO, there's nothing that looks worse that the floating-island rug that isn't large enough to at least tuck under the front legs of the furniture in the seating area it's supposed to anchor.
Even HGTV declared it the 10th worst decorating mistake (out of the top 25)
http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/25-biggest-decorating-mistakes/pictures/index.html
@bepsf --
You're entitled to your opinion of course too...
...but IMO not all rugs are supposed to function as an anchor to a seating area