Soft sheer shades help add spaciousness to a small bedroom

Some decorating secrets that designers learn after years of experimentation may surprise a homeowner who wants to make a small bedroom look more spacious.


"Dark walls do the opposite of what you'd expect: They make a small room feel bigger," according to House Beautiful magazine reporting on tips from professional designers. "Small-scale furniture only makes a small bedroom look smaller. Try a high bed and a tall headboard. Your room will grow."


There are no hard and fast rules about seating in a bedroom. A hard wood captain's chair can be softened for bedroom use by adding a fabric skirt around the seat. It can serve as a seat for a dressing table or, with the addition of a footstool, can be a comfortable reading chair.


Another tip from the magazine is to use more than one pair of pillows as a decorative touch on a bed. Two pairs in contrasting patterns, colors and textures look more lavish without losing proportion.


For a window treatment that adds elegance and airiness to a small bedroom, install soft sheer shades. They allow filtered light to enter a room, while maintaining visibility of outside views.