Decorating a Small Space
Just because your room is small, doesn't mean it can't have style and style doesn't have to be expensive. You can add tons of personality to your small space with just a little paint, lighting and the right accessories. Don't believe the myth that a dark color makes a room feel smaller. If your room is small, it's small and a wall color isn't going to change that. And what's wrong with small? I like a room that feels cozy and welcoming. One of my favorite colors to use is called Oyster Bay by Sherwin Williams. It's a beautiful gray with blue and green undertones. And its sister color, Sea Salt, is also one of those colors that you will love for years to come.
One question I get asked a lot is about painting one wall an accent color. Honestly, I'm not a fan of this unless your room is large and the accent wall is truly highlighting something beautiful. If you love a paint color, but you aren't ready to commit to painting your entire room with it. Then, bring that color in with a rug, art or on a piece of furniture.
My biggest piece of advice, before you paint your walls, is purchase a sample container. You can either paint big squares directly on your walls or on a poster board. A color will look totally different in your room, than in the store and those 1 inch sample cards are not to be trusted!
Lighting is one my favorite parts of any project. It's truly the "jewelry" in your room and not only includes what hangs from your ceiling, but lamps as well. If you can live without a ceiling fan, a chandelier in a small bedroom adds a ton of personality and doesn't take up any floor space. You can also use wall-mounted lamps if you don't have room for night stands.
When hanging lights, make sure they are hung at the correct height. The best height for a chandelier over a table is 32 to 36 inches from the bottom of your light to the top of your table. Pinterest has some great information on lighting placement.
Finally, another great way to add personality to your small space is with accessories. Invest in a few larger pieces instead of a ton of smaller things. It feels less cluttered and is less to keep clean! Accessories also look best in odd number groupings - 1, 3 or 5. Also, varying the height will give you a true designer look.
It's really easy to fall into the trap of picking up accessories at the big retailers, but finding accessories that tell a story are so much better. Like something your child made at art camp, crafts from local festivals or even something you find while on vacation. These are things that will truly bring personality into your small space.
