Looking to Create the Illusion of Space? Discover How to Use Color and Light t

[Melba Douglas]

When decorating a small room, the primary goals are often to maximize
the space available and to create a feeling of spaciousness. Proper
planning, furniture placement, and organized storage space can
maximize the space you have, while color and lighting considerations
can be used to emphasize the space available. Understanding the
effects of color and light on the perception of space will help you to
create a sense of spaciousness when you decorate a small room.
Create Spaciousness with Color
Beginning with the basics, we can examine the effects of light and
dark colors within a small space. For instance, light colors make
rooms and objects look larger than they are, while darker colors make
them look smaller and heavier. Lighter colored ceilings and carpets
create the effect of a higher ceiling and a larger space. The same
applies to wall color, so using light wall colors with matching trim
and baseboards will also make space seem larger.
Although lighter colors do create an airy sense, this does not mean
that you are limited to using lighter colors when you decorate a small
room. In fact, contrasting dark colors with lighter colors further
emphasizes the effect of spaciousness. For instance, if you place a
dark couch on light colored flooring, and you have a lighter wall
behind it, the couch will seem smaller and the room will appear even
more spacious. So, you can actually use dark colors to create the
sense of openness in a smaller space. The important consideration is
to use darker colors in contrast with lighter colors to create the
illusion of more space.
Light and Reflection Can Make a Room Look Larger
You can also create the perception of a larger space with the use of
lighting. Just as a lighter colored ceiling creates the sense of
openness, so too, can bright windows and natural light. Since blinds
and window covers minimize window exposure and moderate natural light,
use window coverings sparingly in smaller rooms. Maximizing the
natural light will emphasize the space and make the room appear
larger. You can also use the reflection of light to make a smaller
space appear larger. Strategically placing a decorative mirror, or
even a collection of mirrors, is an easy way to use the reflection of
light to your advantage in decorating a small space.
Decorating a small room with the goal of making limited space feel
more spacious can be easy when you consider the impact of color and
light on our perception of space. By using color and light to your
advantage, you can emphasize the space in the room and make your small
room feel more open and spacious.