Getting the most out of your square footage is a must in a smaller space. Here are some tips on creating the illusion of roominess while preserving precious floor space.

Select a consistent colour scheme. Every stylish woman knows that to create a long and lanky look, you choose one tone from head to foot. The same rule applies in décor. Don’t interrupt the flow of your space by creating a different colour scheme for each room. Choose a look and stick with it in paint colours, wood tones and fabrics. By focusing on one decorating scheme, your place will visually appear larger.

Consider custom-sized furniture. Condos may not be the best place for four poster beds, oversized sofas and highboy dressers. Instead, choose pieces that fit comfortably within a room. Places like B.O.F.F. Wall Bed Furniture specialize in items like the classic ‘murphy bed’ which looks like a stylish armoire but doubles as a full-size bed. Custom computer desks, cabinets and wardrobes can also be made for multifunctional purposes.

Add a few opulent items. A distinctive piece of art, a floor-to-ceiling mirror or a hotel-style headboard can add a sense of spaciousness to any room without creating clutter. The illusion of grandeur is a trick every good interior designer has in her arsenal. Consider what fits your personal style, space and budget and go for it.

Choose the right window coverings. When creating the look of openness, ensure your draperies are a similar colour to the walls. You can play around with the tone a little by choosing fabrics that are a little lighter or darker than the paint colour. This will create a soft look to frame the windows and help keep the space looking open.

Widen your room with a mirror. Many condos and lofts feature a long, narrow room. The best way to make it appear wider is to add a floor-standing mirror or hanging a large mirror on a long wall. Bonus: if the mirror is near a window, it will reflect more light into the room and help brighten it up.

Take advantage of new technology. Flat screen TVs, stereos that hang on the wall, built-in speakers and lighting and other more modern incarnations are key to furnishing a condo or loft. Being short on space is a great excuse is to invest in state-of-the-art technology.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 16th, 2007 at 1:20 am and is filed under On the Inside. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.