A picture is worth a thousand words. We just moved into a larger but darker apartment. I've bought mirrors and I've been trying to describe to my husband how and why I want all the drapes to extend beyond the window. He now, finally gets it. Thank you.

Nice.. I hope the carpet is synthetic.

That looks really good! I love the colors and how they give it a calmness to the room.

LOVE IT. This reminds me of my mother's litmus test-- does it "look richer"? The curtains set wide like that look more opulent. Curtains to the floor instead of to the bottom of the window-- richer. This test helps me resist design-rich but material-poor accessories.

this has been my wednesday afternoon plan for a couple of weeks, and today is the day it's actually getting accomplished! it's mind-boggling how much of an impact it has on opening the space - for less than an hour of work!

The photos were not taken from the same position. I think the curtain rod helped, but the "after" photo is misleading.

The small changes are stunning in effect.

The hide looks fine.

Some day I'll have my own cowhide. Ignore the haters.

The hide is not remotely an issue. Why bemoan people for something you know nothing about? You don't even know if it's real. Judge much? Even if it was real, so what? It's really not your place to judge that other people don't actually live exactly the same way you do.

Small Trick, Big Difference should be a running feature on AT.

This is smart. (And I am apparently stupid, as I studied those photos for about 2 solid minutes without seeing the difference before I read it. I'm terrible at those spot-the-6-differences cartoon puzzles in Highlights magazine, too.)

Curtains are really nice. The hide makes me sad, though :(

I bet that cow tasted great! Oh yeah, and nice job with the curtains. Clearly the winning move.

That's crazy how much bigger it makes the room look! I never thought it would make that much difference when people have talked about it. It's amazing that it even makes the couch looks bigger.

I hope all the hide judgers are on a strict soybean regime and never let leather touch their toesies.

Nice change, it's a big improvement for a simple idea.

I am also cool with the cowhide, but perhaps only if you raised, butchered, ate, tanned the whole thing yourself.

I second the "small trick, big difference" running feature idea!

I love it. Very well done.

I second eliz's motion: "Small Trick, Big Difference should be a running feature on AT." Great idea!

The cow hide is gross. The curtain trick is great.

Whenever I see a picture with a cowhide I have to come check the comments to count how many people complain.

The cowhide looks awesome - I love it. And what a great trick for making the room look bigger!

Snarky treehuggers, take it elsewhere.

The room does look better.

As for the cowhide haters. It's not something that I would have in my house but the reality is that cows get killed for food and even if you're a veg/vegan it's still going to happen. Therefore using all of the cow is more respectful than letting the skin go to waste.

I love the rug! I also LOVEEEE Steak! Yummmmy!

Where are all you cowhide-objectors when it comes to lambskin? There is a lambskin on every. Single. Eames. Chair. that is posted on this site (or is it just me?).

I think this is the trick I've been looking for to make our living room cozier and seem more put-together!

Yes, I would love to enjoy a steak while sitting on that cowhide and admiring my lovely window.

This tree hugger likes the curtains, but as for the cowhide, while it is not my taste, I just don't dig it in that room. The room comes across very bland, then you added that nice pillow with crewel-looking flowers and I think a different floor covering picking up one or two of those colors would work well.

"Preserve the function, change the scale" is a mantra of a designer friend that has paid big dividends frequently. Most recently it led me to swap lamps between two rooms and change a solid nightstand to a table on legs. The fairly small bedroom immediately felt more open, but all the original functionality was still preserved.

Can I be an objector to the Eames chair instead? Hate those wretched things.

I love the idea of a Small Trick, Big Difference being a recurring feature on AT.

I love the idea of a Small Trick, Big Difference being a recurring feature on AT.

I second -- or by now it's third or fourth -- eliz's idea that "Small Trick, Big Difference should be a a running feature on AT."

From the photographs, the changes weren't immediately obvious to me either, but I bet they are noticeable in the actual space. Best of all...they were free.

I see two new pillows and an extended curtain rod. Am I missing something?

Yes, the pillow -- it was the first thing I noticed, even before the wider drapes (great idea!). My friends have a cowhide rug and it kind of gives me the creeps, but it's purely a matter of taste.

I LOVE the idea of "small trick, big difference" as a recurring thing. I'm on a tight budget but can't stop messing with my apartment's layout!

Why are there so many objections to a cowhide rug? None of these people seem to say anything when leather furniture is featured.

I love Cowhide, and I come from India. Go ahead, judge me, I am taking notes.

I think you are fooling the readers too much with the fact that you've pulled the camera back and taken a wider shot, which also ended up allowing for more light to come in from the hallway.

I really like the idea of the Small Trick / Big Difference. But let's just make sure the trick isn't in the camera and lighting.

We switched our living space and dining space for an upcoming Christmas gathering. I am going home and do this same curtain trick tonight. The only difference is, I'll have a bear-skin rug in my living room... ;)

I admit to not seeing the difference until I read the accompanying text. Now I can see the subtle, yet positive change. Yes the camera angle is slightly different but you can still see how the curtains are more in balance with couch.

continuing the votes for Small Trick, Big Difference. It's a great way to keep tinkering without breaking my budget!

The cow hide works well with the rustic coffee table, possible bones, and definite antler in the room. End of story.

The "trick" with the photo cropping being different (whether planned or not) is good, because it fools us into looking harder at the image. End of story.

I'm going to go home, now, and play with my curtain rods. Beginning of story?

What I want to talk about is that chandelier! I love it...is it driftwood? Animal bones? (ha! there's a way to use the whole animal!)

Sheesh, the animal rights police charge in with the first comment and plenty more. I post (probably more than) my share of remarks about consumption gone amok and my dislike for plastic Panton chairs, but only in general posts. This person was writing about extending her curtain rods; she didn't ask for feedback on the rest of her decor. A big "yes" on hangin' 'em not only wide, so opened curtains don't block any part of the window, but high as well, to trick the eye into seeing more room height than there may be.

AT could get a lively conversation, though not necessarily a civil one, going by asking readers' opinions about using real animal products in household decor--not only hides but leather or suede, taxidermy, antlers. Does it make a difference if the products are found, not from animals butchered to provide them? Do some people draw the line at mammals? How about mother-of-pearl? Conch and other shells in coastal decor? Shagreen (now largely made from skin of sharks and rays)? And silk--the pupae are killed to process the strands (few use newer no-kill techniques).

I'm utterly confused. I stared at this photo for 5 minutes trying to find a difference other than throw pillows. I guess I notice the curtain rod now, but it doesn't look any better or worse either way. I do not notice anything else different.

Ditto to what others are saying: I'd love to see Small Tricks, Big Difference become an ongoing feature on Apt Therapy. Many of us don't necessarily have the time, money, etc., to do the big overhauls we might dream of doing to our spaces, so it's a huge help to see the impact that some small, inexpensive (or, gasp, free!) tweaks can make.

I'm vegetarian, but I wear 2nd hand suede/ leather and have an elk skull in my house. Let's be honest with ourselves, we may have differing oppinions of others about what is acceptable or what is not. That does not make us blameless. You know that "perfect white paint" you have been obsessing over probably came from a factory full of pollutants that tore down huge woodlands and killed tons of animals to build their buildings. You don't have to like it. People don't have to like your comments. You don't have to like theirs.

Take care of your own house, let others take care of theirs. Can I get an Amen?

Seriously? You stepped back 8 feet for the second photo- doubling the distance to the furniture and the amount of light in the frame and cutting off the couch, the curtain and the wall behind it. Dumb.

Wait, I mean wow! So amazing!

I agree, this idea behind this post would make a great new feature. And I also agree, that cowhide looks great.

These are the tips I love - free and make a big difference. It's kinda crazy how much better it looks and such a simple small change. Kudos!

I agree this would make a great regular feature. Remember guess the decade? I am more and more convinced I will get a cowhide rug. Should go great with my KCCO poster! (I did buy one but never framed and hung it Really folks, chill. No one is putting the rug in YOUR room.

The photo isn't cropped. You can plainly see that the stool in the front left of both images appears larger in the before than the after because the after photo was taken at a wider angle (at least a few feet). My issue is that I wonder if the curtains made a difference or if it is simply the angle of the shot. If you try it at your home, please let us know if it worked.

I guess it makes somewhat of a difference but I feel like we're being slightly tricked by the different camera angels. Pictures from the same spot would be appreciated.

I like the curtains and the feature idea. I don't like the cowhide rug because I'm a klutz and it looks like it would catch my toes and trip me in several places.

Agreed. This should be an article on photography, specifically, how to make a room seem larger, rather than an article on curtain rods.

I'd love to see this as a regular feature, but ONLY if the same camera angle is used ~ I noticed that before anything else and it does give the feeling that you are trying to trick us rather than show the real difference. And that's a shame as well as a sham.

I cannot tell that the curtain rod makes a difference. To me its the fact that the "after" is photographed with less zoom, and that there is more light. Might the lightness and expansiveness of the floor in the "after" picture be tricking your eyes?

The first rule of Before and After school is to take the photos from the same position.

I agree, this feature is a keeper!
One thing I have noticed over time is that in most AT posts with Before and Afters, there are always issue with the shots not matching. Be it the distance or lighting or angle. Not to sound too dicky, but this complaint has been ignored long enough. Your viewing public is not asking AT to send out professional photographers or demand that of the homeowners, but it does make sense to have the pictures match so we can all "get" what changes actually occurred.

I totally agree! I would love to see more "Small Trick, Big Difference" articles!

Amen, sister!

These comments crack me up. There is such a division with meat vs vegan, it's rediculous. Do what is best for you and your family and rid yourself of the judgements....both sides are guilty of this!! I'm pro cowhide and have hope that the meat was used with prudence.

And, what a great tip. I have a massive leather sofa in a somewhat crowded room and it just doesn't feel right. I admire the less is more, but always struggle to find the balance between too much and too little. Maybe I need another layer!

http://diligentdesigner.blogspot.com/

I noticed the difference with the curtains right away. I have posted about this many times (I really hate when the curtain is not extended at least a foot past each side of the window).
The cow hide is beautiful, I would love to have that colour.

I agree that Small Trick, Big Difference should be a feature! Great idea.

Wait, there's a difference? This post is seemingly meaningless. I see no evidence to support your claim of "we swapped our living and dining room furniture."

I vote for keeping this as a feature too. And yes, the curtain width caught my eye right away. Good idea.

And is the hide any different than you eating a burger for lunch? You get to complain all you like (if you are vegetarian).

The second rule of Before and After is not to talk about Before and After.

Small Trick, Big Difference indeed should be a regular AT feature.

I agree, it's like that old show Freestyle on HGTV where they come in to your house and redo a room with your own stuff so it's all free.

to the cow-hide haters: would you make such rude comments upon stepping into a house that you were invited in? then why are you doing this here??

People are up in arms about the cowhide rug? That makes no sense. The hides are a product of the beef industry, so your comments should really be directed at anyone who eats beef, not people who use the hides as decor. Anyone in the design or beef industry can tell you (although it should be obvious), cows are not slaughtered for their hides. I suppose we should eat the meat + throw out the hides? That sounds much more sensible.

I want that hide!!
I thought the pillows were the trick, but the curtains make a huge difference!

Kristina beat me to the punch...Cow hide rugs are typically a by-product of the food industry, not a result of an animal being raised for its skin, alone. I'm not certain that the same can be said for leather that is used for footwear, bags, jackets, belts, etc. So, those hides can either be used for rugs, etc, or discarded. What's worse?

I can complain about the hide because I am vegetarian!

cow hide - NASTY! curtain - good!

Agree with the others about what a mistake it was to take B&A photos not from the same angle/stance. This makes a huge difference. How much of that left wall did you really cover up? I would have hung a nice piece of art instead...but I'm an art collector, so....

I noticed the curtains right away. What a huge difference it makes.

Also - I put in another vote for Small Change -Big Difference as a running feature.

I am really enjoying these cowhide comments.

Because we all know that the meat inside the cow was just tossed. Only the hide was saved. For this very apartment. Only.

Okay, you can complain about the cowhide rug, as long as you don't badger me for my rug made of kitten hide. I like to lay on it and watch nature shows.

I agree that "Small Tricks, Big Difference" should be ongoing! Although I'd prefer if you call it "An Evolving Home."

Yes to Small Trick, Big Difference becoming a recurring feature!

Hey "Judge much?" I think it's hilarious that on a site where people are invited to comment--proffering opinion is practically the purpose of this site--people take offense to the cowhide haters.

Personally, steak is my favorite food, and I like cowhides, so I agree with the non-veggies, but still, the point of this whole site is to JUDGE!

If you didn't notice the difference, then was it really appreciated/worth it? >.>

I agree that the most significant thing was that the picture was taken from further back. Even if I figured it was supposed to be about the curtain rod.

And the answer is: focal length!

brilliant solution.
als my vote for this feature.

I noticed the difference but couldn't tell what had happened until I read the text.

Cowhide: those of you who came on so strong like some latter-day Mayflower puritan should get yourself some learning then move on to discernment - additionally a course on good manners would be of great value to you. Its simply disgraceful the way you have carped and squeaked whilst effectively being a "guest" in this home, which has been opened to you in good faith that you will behave and speak decorously.

I am a long-time advocate of ceiling to floor drapes, and wider than windows wherever possible -- so I appreciate the modification. Also, the pillows DO make the room more attractive. So (although I'm tired, and I did have to read the text to notice the changes) I also think this concept could easily be a recurring feature.

I do have a problem with all the complaints about camera view. Sheesh! Someone took two pictures and they weren't on the same X on the floor -- get over it! This is a design blog, not documentation for the Archives of American Architecture, for crying out loud! Use your imagination! If the shots were from opposite corners or something, it might make sense. But the archway frames both views and what's visible behind them is what's under discussion. It shouldn't be that baffling! (Floor plans to scale are nice "requirements" for whole room re-designs, with enough overlapping photo views to make sense of the space, but for this room, this really should be enough.)

And to weigh in on the cowhide, I'm not fond of animal parts in decor, but I have a leather chair and purse, and some of my shoes are leather, so I don't figure I can do more than say "not to my taste". For those who like them, until the world goes vegan, at least it's making use of something that otherwise might be waste. (The "kitten rug" comment was LOW, though!! My cats will get even for that! ;^) )

The fewer pillows on the sofa made me feel there was more space. The room on the left looked less crowded to me. So, I would have to agree that the different camera shot did take away from the experiment. Was it just too easy with similar shots?

Hide is a non-issue, as someone who has worked on a cattle ranch, hides are something that comes with the territory. Whether cattle go to giant processors and hides are shipped overseas to become leather or the cattle are local beef the hides and more than you'd think of the cow are used.

#TeamCowHide

Ditto!

I wonder if the cowhide haters are against abortions, too.

@slocumnavigator. Judge food choices on a decor comments section??

Such small changes for such a big payoff, though I'm not sure if it makes the space look larger or just more comfortable. In any case, it looks more "finished". Kudos! As for the hide debate, if you don't like it, don't do it. IMHO, it's more conscious to use all parts of the animal if possible. FYI, I have two sheepskins and one reindeer hide and I love them.

I don't care if the carpet is synthetic. Synthetics are made from acrylics and dyes - you're still causing great damage to the earth and animal habitats to get these materials. A synthetic product will sit in a landfill for eternity.

Strongly agree with Stream 13. Use the cowhide and all of the cow (and sheep, shark, whatever).

Hypocrisy, party of 96, your table is ready!

It is a design blog for crying out loud!!!

Niabassett and Huxley, you crack me up!

small changes really make big difference.

I'll be the umpteenth vote for making this type of post a regular feature. However, I confess that I didn't detect the curtain change until after the jump. I thought the small change was washing the window, as is frequently recommended on this site. Go figure!

The final question of the blog post "What small, free changes have you made that saved a room?" Since I have none of my own, I read through most of the comments to hopefully discover other "small tricks,big difference" ideas from fellow users. I skim through a bunch of argumentative thoughts about a cow hide and photography, which are both completely off topic. I really hope people learn how to make constructive suggestions or remarks. Anyways, I only spotted the curtain and pillow differences before reading the post. They make a dramatic difference!

AT, +1 for creating a new section for tips/tricks section! -May I suggest using a tripod for future similar posts? It could save myself (and others?) from the hinderance of all the negative Nancys comments complaining of photography techniques
Happy Holidays! <3

wow- what a difference! I second the idea with "small tricks- big difference" as a regular feature!

I hope not. That would be a waste. Why spew more CO2 into the air to make plastic when we the hide is a byproduct that's already there.

@pbohls: glad someone else noticed that intro question and read through all 100+ comments hoping to read some other tips.
And, oh how I would love seeing floorplans, even just simple sketches, on EVERY tour. Couldn't it be a requirement for room, apartment, home etc tours?
Show me the windows and the doors!

Heya modern_love, seeing as you're taking notes, check out the segment from the film Earthlings about leather production from cows in india. You might learn something.
Anyway, cowhide criticism in this context is about as out of place as saying "I hope that adorable dog in the house tour photo eats only vegan dog food!". Or "I hope those pictured halloween sweets have no gelatin! Cause I don't eat gelatin, and it's all about ME!" Sheesh, pick your battles, people.
The window thing is indeed useful and I am filing it away to be remembered when it counts :)

I too would love for this to be a regular feature. What a great example of why "high and wide" makes a big difference in a space. And I also love that room, especially the hide and the chandelier. I think I may have posted this here before, but I made the small (though very obvious) change of painting my fireplace wall a few months ago. From light to dark, it completely changed the feel of the space and was relatively simple to do:
http://designgratislondon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/marvellously-moody.html

While I think the curtain rod trick is clever, in this instance it does not make a big difference. Probably because everything is (a shade of) white.

The photo difference isn't that critical as a sharp eye would see the rod is closer to the shelf on the right. Read the post before trying to see any difference.

What I did not see were any comments on how the common cow hide has become like the common cold; everywhere and so uninteresting. Save the cow for a great beef dinner in your well appointed homes.

My man and I solved the "leather or cloth" issue (he wanted leather, I didn't want to stick to the couch lol) with a combo- our couch, chair, and ottoman have leather on the bottom, around the frame, and we love it. Vegan... lol... ever vegan I've eveyr met has tried to make me believe that carob (that foul chocolate substitute is the "same as chocolate!"- it so isn't. For this reason, hooray for the
cowhide, hope they used all of it- also hope that it's baby made great veal. Mmmm.... now I'm hungry....

As a new homeowner with miniumal funds to buy new things I would love for Small Trick, Big Difference to be a continuing feature on AT. Also, I love the look with the curtain rods expanded!

Re: camera angle. As someone who does tons of before & after shots, it's actually very easy to think that you're getting the same angle and then later you put them side by side and realize that you missed by quite a bit. Sometimes you take a whole lotta afters to make sure you cover all possibilities, then it turns out you missed that one crucial one. Or sometimes there are flaws with a bunch of the shots and you have to use one that isn't exactly the same.

Setting a scene or a piece up to photograph it is more work than it looks (clearing clutter, waiting for the right light, then fixing more stuff that you didn't notice until it showed up in the photo---etc., etc.). Unless you have the original photo in front of you and all other conditions are right and you haven't forgotten anything or assumed incorrectly that it wouldn't an issue, you'll probably not gonna get the same angle with the same lighting.

small tricks big difference?

i had to look at each photo several times before i noticed the extra pillows.

i had to read the article to even be aware of the other differences.

sometimes these "wow what a big improvements" changes are simply in the person's head.

if something is such an obvious and big change it should be more noticeable. in other words, these were not big changes.

what a waste of an article

Thanks, @spanky, well said and overdue.

Moral of the story:
1) You'd better hire a surveyor to plot your before and after photos.
2) Your natural products had better bloody well not be TOO natural.
I love this comment thread. If they gave some of you guys a lollypop, you'd gripe that the wrapper was on crooked.

I would like to see a shot of the curtains after you have passed through the arch/doorway. They curtains in the after shot are a bit hidden so we can't really get the full affect.

But it is good idea that would never have occurred to me. I just wish I could see it better.

As far as the cow hide goes - how do you vacuum those things? ;)

This tree hugger likes the room, furniture, curtain trick and the cowhide (synthetic or real). Quit with the judging.
Interesting concept for a small room.

Does that curtain rod trick work if you plan to use the curtains to cover the windows? Would you need wider curtains?

@kiacook, usually you need curtains 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window to look full enough when they're closed - so wider curtains if you're making them or two panels per side if you're buying them.

Curtains to the floor don't do well here because my cats will lean right up against them and eventually there is cat hair all along the bottom. My cat, Leon, is a healthy 11 pounds and he actually bent my cheap-o curtain rod from all the lounging he does on the curtains.

The curtain trick is something I have been doing a while. I have the curtain rod brackets about 6-8" out from the window, allowing me to spread the curtain out past the window, with the inside of the curtain just covering the window.... I also raise them higher than the window opening. This makes the window seem a lot taller and wider... Great optical illusion.

Except for the curtain rod thing,and a couple of more throw pillows,I dont see any difference?Im not sure what the point of this article was.

Funny! LOL!

Wow... All the cow hide hater comments have reminded me that this is on my list to find. Thanks, y'all!

Wow... All the cow hide hater comments have reminded me that this is on my list to find. Thanks, y'all!

BINGO! Perfect one of CL. Sweet.

The big difference is that the after photo is much, much brighter, whether because of the camera angle, the camera exposure setting, or some other reason.

That difference is so overwhelming that it's impossible to tell what difference the changes in curtains and pillows make. Not much, I suspect.

This is an apartment/home living site. Not a personal belief site people. Lets stay focused. The changes are subtle but great. Rug works well with decor and space color and thickness wise regardless of material. Love the additional throw pillows!

Cowhide haters please post on appropriate forums. There are PETA, vegan, Eco-decor etc. blogs out there.

When there are curtains around a window like this, it always makes me want to open them the rest of the way.

You go, igs03!

is it ok if i hate hides just for the heebbidy bejeebidy factor? lol