For Your Clients: 10 Ways to Make a Small Room Look Larger

RISMEDIA, Most people have one: that room in the house that they wish was
just a little larger. What many don't realize is that with a little work and
some TLC, they could have exactly what they're looking for.

Here, Lowe's offers 10 designer tricks to help you make any room look
larger:

1. For the illusion of a larger room, use a color scheme that is light
rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white are all color
possibilities.

2. Use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. Select
different shades and textures of your single color.

3. Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting
is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. A torchiere light is
great for bouncing light off of the ceiling and back down on the
room.Skylights and solar tubes are natural alternatives for adding light to
a room.

4. Limit the number of accessories to avoid the cluttered feeling.

5. The floor and the ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls of every room. A
light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet will make
the room appear brighter and more open. The same applies to the ceiling-use
a light color or white to "open up" the space above.

6. Increase the appearance of the size of the room by adding wall mirrors.
They not only reflect images, they reflect light and color. Be a little
daring! Use mirror tiles to mirror an entire wall. Your room will appear to
double in size.

7. Don't place too many pieces of furniture in a small space. A love seat
may work better than a full-size sofa depending on the size and shape of the
room. Add two medium-sized chairs or two small wood chairs. Place the chairs
closer to the wall and then pull them into the area when additional seating
is needed.

8. Add paintings or prints to the walls. One large painting works better
than a group of small paintings.

9. The visual balance of a room is also important. A large, brightly colored
element can overwhelm a room and decrease the appearance of space.

10. A glass table, whether it is a dining, coffee or end table, will keep
the appearance of an open and free space.