Sign up for special offers:



ENDS SUNDAY
Save 40%
+ EXTRA 25%
Easter Savings SALE More info
Free Shipping FREE Shipping
Satisfaction Guarantee Satisfaction Guarantee
Top Notch Customer Service Top Notch Customer Service
Free Samples FREE Samples

Unique Ways To Make Small Spaces In Your Home Feel Large

Sep 17 2012

Does your home feel less cozy and more like the-walls-are-closing-in? Frankly, do you feel downright claustrophobic about sixty seconds after closing the front door? Having to live in a small space may not be unexpected based on your desired location, the size of your household, your budget, or your needs; however, that doesn’t make it any less unpleasant. Before you take a sledgehammer to the nearest wall, phone a moving company, or convince yourself the air supply really is running short in your limited space try the following tips to make your small space feel larger.

If you live in a small space you probably have rooms that have to pull double duty. Perhaps your dinning area is also your home office or your bedroom is also your crafting space. A lot of times multipurpose rooms can feel crowded due to extra furniture/equipment. Here are a few things you can do to solve that problem:

Get furniture that stacks or folds up to save space. Dinning room chairs that stack up and can be pushed into a corner are a great way to clear a little extra space in your home. For kid’s rooms bunk beds are a conventional, yet excellent way to fit two children in one room and still have space to move around. Another example of fold-up furniture, although a bit impractical for the average Joe to build or acquire, is the Murphy bed which conveniently lifts up and into the wall.

Get multipurpose furniture for your multipurpose room. When shopping consider furniture that will serve two purposes. For instance, if you don’t have the space for a guest room, consider getting a couch that folds out into a bed or a futon. Another example, one that’s great for college dorms or a kid’s room, is a loft bed. The child can sleep on top and often times there are built in drawers or work space beneath.

Make it mobile. Adding furniture casters (wheels) to your furniture makes it easier than ever to simply roll a piece out of the way. Add casters to your dinning room table so it can be moved aside when not in use or to your coffee table so that it can be moved to a corner when you pull out that futon.

Maximizing the potential of your multipurpose rooms is just one way to make your space feel a little more, well, breathable. There are also some simple decorating tricks you can put to good use to make your space at least look larger.

Choose paint colors wisely. Painting is relatively easy to do and generally a must-do when you move into a new place since the previous owner’s tastes probably have little in common with yours. If you’ve moved into an apartment, check your lease or ask the manager. A lot of apartments are fine with you painting as long as you restore the walls to their original color upon moving out. When selecting paint colors for small spaces stick with light colors. Dark colors will make the space feel more closed in. This goes for the ceiling and floors (if you’re considering replacing the flooring) as well.

Light it up! Natural light can also help make a place look bigger. Obviously, if you’ve got a room without windows or with limited windows you probably aren’t going to add one (that can be a big job); however, take advantage of what you do have. Don’t put heavy draperies over windows or block them with furniture. In addition, ensure that windows aren’t blocked on the outside by trimming back bushes or trees.

Raise the roof. In a small space or a space with low ceilings, hanging curtains at ceiling level will give the illusion airiness. The ceiling seems higher and in turn, the room feels a little bigger.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall.... Okay, this may seem like a throwback to a bygone decade, but consider incorporating mirrors into your decorating scheme. You don’t have to do an entire mirrored wall. There are a lot of funky, modern mirror designs out there you can go with or you can buy mirror tiles and create your own look. Mirrors reflect not only images but also light and color which all make the room feel bigger.

Don’t waste. Make sure you aren’t wasting any space in your home. For instance, if you have an awkward nook or cranny think about adding some free floating shelves to provide extra storage or squeezing a desk and chair in to create a dedicated workspace.

One huge thing you can do to make a space feel larger and to help yourself feel more organized is declutter, declutter, and declutter some more! Clutter can make a place that actually is spacious feel crowded and closed in. When you live in a small space hiding clutter can be a challenge, but there are things you can do.

Bonus points for built in storage. When you’re furniture shopping always pay close attention to pieces that have built in storage. For instance, replace that plain old coffee table with an ottoman. You won’t have to keep yelling at everyone to keep their shoes off of the table. It gives you an extra seat when company is over. Plus many ottomans have a top that lifts off allowing you to store stuff within them. Also look for bed frames that have drawers underneath, benches where the seat lifts up, and etc.

Go for stylishly functional. There are a lot of accessories you can buy that serve a purpose and still look good. To clear off counter space, buy a magnetic spice rack. A magnetic rack/plate hangs on the wall and containers magnetically attach to it. Instead of having a bulky jewelry box on your dresser or (worse yet) jewelry strewn throughout your home consider a back-of-the-door jewelry organizer.

There are a lot of things you can do to make a small space feel bigger. Certainly some things are more difficult than others or more costly, but there are plenty of things you can try that are easy and budget friendly. You just need to tap into your creative side - or the creative side of one of your friends or family members.

Lindsey Brickell is an interior design writer that is interested in creating economical design solutions for any situation.
Want to participate in the Blinds Chalet community? View details
Bookmark/Share this page:
DiggFacebookRedditStumbleUpondel.icio.usGoogle

Post a Comment

Comments are moderated and won't appear until after they are approved(No html please)


Your Information
(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed)



Back to Top
x Blinds Chalet Guarantee Options
DetailsGoodBetterBest
PricingFREE$$$
Duration
3 year limited warranty
5 year limited warranty
5 year unlimited
Warranty
Defects
Parts
Restrings
Normal wear & tear
Anything
30 Day Measure
30 Day Returns
3 Year Standard Guarantee
Who is covered:
  • Warranties cover the original purchaser of the window blinds and shades.
What is covered:
  • Any defects in materials of workmanship
  • Operating mechanisms and other parts
  • Cell separation on honeycomb/cellular shades
  • Warping slats for faux wood and wood blinds
  • Broken vertical vanes
  • Restrings for internal cords
What is not covered:
  • Parts that fail due to accident, alteration and/or improper use
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Color fading due to excessive exposure to sunlight, moisture or improper cleaning
  • Accidental damage
Resolution:
  • BlindsChalet.com reserves, at its discretion, the right to repair, replace or refund any blinds found defective.
  • If there are multiple blinds/shades in the same room, only the defective product will be replaced/repaired.
  • In the event that a product, color or product feature has been discontinued and it is no longer available we will provide a substitute product as similar as possible to the original blind or shade.
  • Shipping for warranty issues is the responsibility of the customer to and from the repair facility. Packaging on return shipments is the responsibility of the customer.

30 Day Measuring Insurance

This plan does not cover measuring errors. Following the easy measuring instructions will ensure a proper fit.

30 Day Returns

This plan does not cover returns.
5 Year Guaranteed to Fit
Who is covered:
  • Warranties cover the original purchaser of the window blinds and shades.
What is covered:
  • Any defects in materials of workmanship
  • Operating mechanisms and other parts
  • Cell separation on honeycomb/cellular shades
  • Warping slats for faux wood and wood blinds
  • Broken vertical vanes
  • Restrings for internal cords
What is not covered:
  • Parts that fail due to accident, alteration and/or improper use
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Color fading due to excessive exposure to sunlight, moisture or improper cleaning
  • Accidental damage
Resolution:
  • BlindsChalet.com reserves, at its discretion, the right to repair, replace or refund any blinds found defective.
  • If there are multiple blinds/shades in the same room, only the defective product will be replaced/repaired.
  • In the event that a product, color or product feature has been discontinued and it is no longer available we will provide a substitute product as similar as possible to the original blind or shade.
  • Shipping for warranty issues is the responsibility of the customer to and from the repair facility. Packaging on return shipments is the responsibility of the customer.

30 Day Measuring Insurance

Following the easy measuring instructions will ensure a proper fit, however, we all make errors from time to time and this protection plan covers any mis-measurement mistakes. If the window coverings do not fit, please let us know within 30 days of receiving the items. The blinds/shades will be remade at the correct dimensions at no cost to you unless there is a difference in price between the old and new sizes or if the new size requires an oversize shipping fee. Limit is 1 remake per blind/shade. All remakes will have to be remade in the same color, feature and specifications, no changes are allowed.

Shutters,custom graphic shades, commercial/dealer orders are not covered.

Any mis-measurements reported after 30 days will not be covered, however, new blinds and shades can be ordered with an additional 10% discount.

30 Day Returns

This plan does not cover returns.
5 Year Guaranteed to Love
Who is covered:
  • Warranties cover the original purchaser of the window blinds and shades.
What is covered:
  • Any defects in materials of workmanship
  • Operating mechanisms and other parts
  • Cell separation on honeycomb/cellular shades
  • Warping slats for faux wood and wood blinds
  • Broken vertical vanes
  • Restrings for internal cords
  • Parts that fail due to accident, alteration and/or improper use
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Color fading due to excessive exposure to sunlight, moisture or improper cleaning
  • Accidental damage
Resolution:
  • BlindsChalet.com reserves, at its discretion, the right to repair, replace or refund any blinds found defective.
  • If there are multiple blinds/shades in the same room, only the defective product will be replaced/repaired.
  • In the event that a product, color or product feature has been discontinued and it is no longer available we will provide a substitute product as similar as possible to the original blind or shade.
  • Shipping for warranty issues is the responsibility of the customer to and from the repair facility. Packaging on return shipments is the responsibility of the customer.


30 Day Measuring Insurance

Following the easy measuring instructions will ensure a proper fit, however, we all make errors from time to time and this protection plan covers any mis-measurement mistakes. If the window coverings do not fit, please let us know within 30 days of receiving the items. The blinds/shades will be remade at the correct dimensions at no cost to you unless there is a difference in price between the old and new sizes or if the new size requires an oversize shipping fee. Limit is 1 remake per blind/shade. All remakes will have to be remade in the same color, feature and specifications, no changes are allowed.

Shutters,custom graphic shades, commercial/dealer orders are not covered.

Any mis-measurements reported after 30 days will not be covered, however, new blinds and shades can be ordered with an additional 10% discount.

30 Day Returns

If for any reason you are not satisfied with the window coverings and wish to return them, please notify us within 30 days of receiving the order. Our customer care department will provide a Return Authorization Number (RGA) and shipping address for the return. Please note, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer and shipping labels are not provided. Refunds will be processed within 2-3 business days after we receive the items (Guaranteed to Love fee is not refundable).

Shutters,custom graphic shades, commercial/dealer orders are not covered.
ad
X
The term "Retail" price refers to the manufacturer's or supplier's suggested retail price for an item. The initially displayed Retail price is specific to a product with the selected dimensions and default options/features. Please note that the Retail price for the selected product will be provided upon specifying its width, height, features and options.

Please note that the Retail price may not reflect the prevailing market price or the regular retail price. It is common for products to be sold at lower prices than the Retail price due to various factors, including promotional events, discounts, market competition, or supplier agreements.

Products may be offered at the same or lower "After Coupon" prices during future promotional events starting on or after the final day of any advertised promotion.

Learn More