Choose What's Important

• Small living spaces, from condos to smaller homes, are becoming increasingly more common as people choose to downsize and live more simply. Decorating a small living space is not challenging, but it does involve making some sacrifices and choices you would not have to make if decorating a large living space.
  
  Keep in mind when decorating a small living space it is important to keep it simple, but stunning. This means you have to decide what is really important to you. Small spaces necessitate reducing the number of items with which you will decorate. There is simply not enough room for your entire collection of Celadon vases, or for you to hang individual portraits of each of your 17 grandchildren. Instead, choose the most stunning items in your collection, and highlight them by placing them in the center of a floating shelf. Gather the grandchildren together for one portrait, and place an art light above it.
  
  

Decorate to Scale

• Take a look at your furniture. Small spaces look much larger when the furniture in them matches the scale of the room. A huge couch will not look good in a small living space. Instead, choose a loveseat and a recliner. Use two smaller area rugs instead of one large rug. If you can, mount your flat screen TV on the wall rather than placing it in an enormous entertainment center. Purchase nesting side tables that can be pulled out and used as a coffee table when needed. Add storage space by installing shelves on the walls rather than bringing in a heavy bookshelf. Think vertically: Tall, slim items look much better in small living spaces than short, wide furniture.
  
  

Lighten Up!

• Lighten up the room to make it feel larger. Limit window treatments to sheer curtain panels rather than dark, heavy fabrics. Hang a mirror or two on the wall. Mirrors reflect light and create the illusion of open spaces. Paint the walls a light neutral color, such as a silvery blue-gray or a very pale yellow. Stay away from loud patterns in furniture treatments and instead opt for muted tones and subtle textures. You can liven things up with interesting throw pillows and bright flowers for color. If the room still seems dark, consider adding some tall, thin floor lamps in the corners.