Tips on Making Small Spaces Appear Bigger
The other day, while watching HGTV, they ran a commercial called Smart Tips by Christopher Lowell (sponsored by KMart). This particular tip was so useful that I took the steps to rewind and captured every word spoken.
Before sharing his tip on making small spaces appear bigger, I just have to say that he is (and has been) one of my most favorite interior decorators. When he had his show called Christopher Lowell, I tried to watch every episode. If he came on and I happened to be out of the room, my husband would call out "your boyfriend is on", at which point I would come running.
Direct from Christopher Lowell:
"Did you know that small things in small places actually make a room look smaller. It tends to amplify the very thing you're trying to disguise.
Two things can help.
Contrary to popular belief deep rich wall color can make small rooms look bigger vs. plain white walls which actually emphasizes the size.
The human body only needs 18 to 20 " to comfortable navigate around furniture. When in doubt, go bigger in size. A few over scale pieces in small spaces vs. tiny stuff will actually make the room look bigger as the eye will always go to the furnishings.
Thanks to Christopher Lowell and to KMart for sharing these tips with us.
A message to home sellers - when selling your home, consider implementing these tips. If in doubt, a professional home stager can help tremendously.
Home Staging Atlanta - Kathy Nielsen - 678 522 8392
RESA Professional Stager of the Year - Southern Region 2011
Whether your home is vacant or occupied, this Atlanta Georgia Home Stager, Kathy Nielsen, understands what it takes to sell a home quickly. Her homes have graced the pages of several publications, appeared in TV commercials as well as on HGTV's hit program Sleep On it.
With years of experience and a massive inventory - Kathy makes the perfect choice.
Home Staging Website: Home Staging Atlanta
Before and After Pictures: Atlanta Home Staging Portfolio:
Email: Kathy@HomeStagingAtlanta.com
Blog: Atlanta Home Staging
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- Short on Space? Keep it Simple
- Tips on Selling Your Home From a Professional Stager
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- How to dress up your coffee table and end tables when selling
- Quick tips for table settings
- How will buyers remember your home?
- Atlanta Home Staging Consultations - Check out what the homeowner did
- Atlanta Loft Gets Home Staged
- How to ensure your home appeals to a broad base of prospective buyers
I'll have to remember that.
Enjoy the day
Hi Kathy, Thank you for the post. I will have to keep this in mind for the future.
Kathy, Thanks for your post and I too enjoy watching Christopher Lowell! Leslie
Great tips. Thanks Kathy...I'm getting ready to do a smaller family room and have been struggling with what to put in there. This post came out just in time. Have a great week.
Great post. Thanks, I will certainly use these tips to help my sellers.
Kathy- I don't know whether to thank you or not. . . I thought my "boyfriend" was David Bromstad on Colorsplash, but I'll start tuning into Christopher Lowell!! It doesn't seem logical but he's right. When I wanted to paint my own small study a deep merlot color years ago, everyone thought it would make the room appear smaller. However it had the opposite effect and the room was always warm and cozy at the same time.
Thanks, Kathy, for sharing this with us!
Oh so right.....thanks and I totally agree. See sooo many homes where it's a smaller room and the seller has placed lots of "small" accessories/art and it looks even smaller! Remove those and place a few BIG items....WOW!
Wow. I've learned something here. I always thought furnishings should be sized appropriately to the rooms in which they are placed.
Great points, and I have always painted smaller rooms, like powder rooms a darker richer color..thanks for sharing
Kathy, CL has been one of my fav's for a long time too. I have learned so much from him AND from another "ole' timer" on TV, Lynette Jennings. Wish that she would also return.
I've always wanted a small den painted in a deep chocolately brown, but I've never had the right space and I'm not moving again.
Kathy! I had heard that about colors in a small room. Great tip! Thank you!
Kathy -- That Christopher Lowell is a very smart man. And you are a smart cookie for sharing this tip with all of us -- THANKS!
So does this mean a dark color is better than just color? I would never think of over-sized in a small room, goes to show you, ask an expert not me.
Thanks everyone for your comments.
Mary - Yes. A dark color is better. I painted the inside of my washer and dryer room a dark olive green and it "visually" helps to expand the space.
Kathy
Great tips for selling and living Kathy. Thanks for sharing.
Those are definitely great tips. I always wonder when I see these shows that display a really tiny couch in a room. To me I notice that first, and it makes me think that the room must be really small if that's all that will fit. Thanks for sharing Kathy.
That is a great idea! I will pass it on. Thank you.
I've had some problem convincing some clients of this very fact re: dark paint colors in small rooms. My small foyer and my small office are a chocolate color and I love the richness it gives both rooms. Thanks for giving me the "text" I could use the next time I'm trying to persuade!
Kathy, thanks for the tips. I, too, love Christopher Lowell. Where is he these days, the world needs him!! ~ Lin
Yes, yes, yes. Great tips and the darker color really does work ;)