Lighting, solar screen shades can make a room appear more spacious

In light of the economic downturn, it's started to become stylish to be frugal. That means that homeowners across the country are downsizing their residences and making the most of what they have.

The American Lighting Association recently suggested that homeowners who strategically use their lights can make a room appear more spacious.

"Overall, a dark or poorly lighted home will always feel smaller," said industry expert Rick Seidman. "If small spaces are illuminated properly, they are truly enhanced. The best result comes from incorporating accent lighting along with the functional lighting."

This means that using multiple lamps can achieve the best effect when one is looking to enhance the dimensions of a room. Placing lamps in different corners can create a dynamic decor and, consequently, make the room appear larger.

If floor space is limited, one may want to consider lights that can be hung from the wall.

Experts also suggest that opening a room to the outdoors can make it appear larger. Solar screen shades can eliminate the harsh glare of sunlight, but also allow homeowners to take advantage of landscapes or other scenery that is outside the house.