Elongated Quarter

Make The Most Of A Small Space

There are tricks that can make a room appear larger than it is. This is helpful in a small space. The way furniture and storage are used, as well as how a space is organized create a look of roominess where none exists.

Some homes and apartments come with extra dining areas. For those homes and apartments that have a small nook or no nook, per se. An addition of low tables with cushions for seating or a counter with wooden bar stools, add a dining area, without encroaching too far into other areas.

In bathrooms, shelving can be added to store bathroom items if there is no under sink cabinet or medicine cabinet. It can also serve double duty as a shelf for towels. In some cases, if storage is not an issue, extra shelves can be removed, opening up the bathroom even more.

One trick used by decorators is to keep paint color continuous from the top of a wall to the baseboards. This elongates the height and presents one long line. Keeping colors light is also great, as darker colors tend to create the feeling of walls closing in. This works well in a large room, but no so much in smaller spaces.

The furniture used should serve more than one purpose, if possible. A glass living room table provides an openness. One with storage supplies more space for little things. Ottomans placed strategically at the end of a bed can be used for storage; holding blankets, shoes, and clothes. Furniture should be pattern free and comprised of clean lines to add a sleek feel. Overly large furniture clutters a room, so go for an armless sofa or futon. Drapes should be avoided in favor of breezy curtains, which lend an airiness.

For bedrooms, a good idea is to downsize the bed. For rooms that necessitate a desk, the perfect solution is a loft bed with desk. It provides a great place for surfing the internet, working or doing homework.

Using wood bar stools, the right accents, and storage can give a tiny home or apartment a similar feel to a larger one. The space may be even better as one is forced to become creative in the ways in which they decorate. This creativity often manifests itself in a beautiful looking area.

Robyn Svojtka/Edmunds – Young Talent Time Quarter Final 1981