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You don't
need to be a magician to work a little magic with small spaces.
Diminutive rooms can be made to appear more spacious with some
not-so-expensive tricks.
The
least costly approach to "enlarging" a home is to thin out
the clutter. Whether you've lived there three years or 30,
possessions have a way of accumulating. Go room by room and purge
closets and cupboards of unused, unwanted items. Pack or give away
clothing that will not be worn. Clear off nightstands and bureaus.
Box up what you've elected to keep, and store it. If an attic isn't
available, look into temporarily storing extra belongings at a
self-storage facility.
If
you're a collector, think about packing your collectibles,
especially miniatures and other knickknacks. This protects a prized
Pooh from being "pinched," and when fewer objects carpet
tabletops and displays, the room will appear more open. If, like
many cooks, you've collected sundry utensils and gadgets, scrutinize
the kitchen for those you rarely use. They, along with miscellaneous
items from the pantry, can be neatly stored.
Do
the same ruthless purging in the garage and in the side or backyard.
Get rid of or store the odds and ends. This is a great time to have
a yard sale or to donate goods to charity.
Another
way to open up space is to rearrange and organize. Remove as much
furniture as you can. Consign weightier pieces to storage then
arrange the remaining furniture. It's preferable to decorate using
tall, narrow pieces.
For
a more spacious feel, leave a path through a room. It will draw the
eye across to the far wall or into the next room. In a recent
interview in the Caller-Times ("Less is More," March 26,
2000), art and furniture designer Dawn Melancon suggested angling
furniture for an open look, keeping pathways clear by eliminating
unnecessary coffee or end tables, and placing a few small
decorations around the room.
Tall
plants can contribute to a sense of height and airiness. A
glass-topped table and a perfectly placed mirror add to the illusion
of spaciousness and depth. Some designers recommend eliminating
window treatments or using sheer curtains to allow more light in.
Mini-blinds that match the wall color also open up a room.
If
you plan to paint, create depth by painting the ceiling a lighter
color than the walls when you have a light-colored rug, or paint the
walls and ceiling the same light color if you have a dark rug.
Extend
the illusion to your property by adapting techniques painters use to
create depth or distance in paintings. Dr. Dave Williams, a
horticulturist at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, explains
that the actual dimensions of landscape borders and the paths and
spaces between them can add to the illusion of distance. For
example, he recommends narrowing a border toward the far end to make
the property appear as if it goes on for a distance. By working with
the dimensions and placement of borders and paths, homeowners can
add visual acreage. To see more of his ideas on landscape wizardry,
visit www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/newspaper/borders.html.
For
specific suggestions, custom-tailored to enhance the visual appeal
of your unique property, confer with the real estate professionals who
can help provide you with more detail…
We
can be reached at (310) 265-2130
Prudential California Realty is an independently owned and operated
member
|of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential
Financial company.
Equal Housing
Opportunity
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