The Finishing Touch

How to Make Small Spaces and Rooms Look Bigger

Most people have a least one room in their homes that could stand to be a little larger. In fact, the majority of people believe that some of those rooms are too tiny for stylish décor, so they opt not to decorate at all. If you are trying to decorate a smaller area, don’t cram in multiple elements. Instead, try to make a few work for you. They won’t overpower the space or cause the eye to focus on too many facets at once.

Subtle lighting will make a big impact immediately. If you have fluorescent lighting, get rid of it. Opt for softer, less abrasive light. Affix lighting high on the wall instead of the ceiling. Choose lighting fixtures that are thin and sleek and steer clear of bulky piece. You’ll like the look they create.

Avoid “Attack of the Tsotchkes.” The more small boxes, picture frames, and candles you use, the more filled up a space looks. Place a few well-chosen items on a narrow shelving unit for maximum impact in minimum space.

 Your furniture should not overpower the area. Choose shelving that leans against or mounts to the wall, or something that fits snuggly into the corner. You will save a lot of space that way.

 

 The art you choose can easily open up the room. A lot of Starbucks coffee shops have done a stellar job of making their smaller locations look large by hanging black and white photographs surrounded by large white mattes in matte-colored frames. By hanging these in multiples against a darkly painted wall, you’ll create the illusion that the room stretches farther back. White and off white are great colors for creating space, so if you don’t want to paint the room white, go for white-matted sketches, photos, or simple designs instead.

 

 

Guest Room Upgrade:Desks for Every Style and Budget

The holidays are around the corner. If your calendar is full of visits from friends and family, but your guest bedroom still consists of a bed plus a mish-mash of storage and mismatched accessories, now is the time to begin the overhaul.

After you declutter and decide on a design scheme, add a functional writing desk to instantly upgrade.  You'll give your visitors a private spot to finish work, write a letter, or check email.  Shop our assortment of desks to find a perfect fit for your decor and budget.

Classic Parsons
This unadorned, sleek block blends with any style and is a steal at less than half the price of Parsons styles at moderately priced competitors like West Elm.

$134, 26.11" H x 47" W x 20.5" D; Linon, Home Decorating.com

Updated Secretary
Though it is appropriately petite for a guest bedroom, intricate carving makes this pecan-finished secretary a true statement piece.

$300, 40" H x 25.25" W x 11.75" D; Southern Enterprises, Home Decorating.com

Trestle
A-frame supports give the "Style-It" desk extra storage below. Six drawers keep things organized up above.

$593, 62 by 35 inches; PBteen, PBteen.com.

Want to see Shaker styles, chinois, or modern desks? Browse Oprah.com for 18 more stylish desk choices.

DIY: Bathroom Cubbies

Remember back to kindergarten when everyone had there own individual cubby to store their lunch box, coat and personal items?  Cubbies are a great way to give everyone in the family a separate space in a shared bathroom or just to keep different types of toiletries organized.  Choose the DIY cubby project below that fits your skill level and personal style and in an afternoon you will have a more stylish and organized bathroom.

 

A simple, divided plywood box covered in newsprint adds creative inspiration and storage to a petite bathroom. Vintage style apothecary jars and boxes make the most of otherwise limited storage areas.

Easy Storage for Small Bathrooms

Have you run out of (bath)room but not out of stuff?  Read on and discover three ways to add major storage without a remodel.

Linear Storage
Problem: You don't have the floor space to add storage units.

Solution: Without using much wall space, this modern shelf offers significant storage. Oversize baskets maximize storage. For a symmetrical look, top each shelf with identical storage boxes or baskets.

Concealed Cabinet
Problem: Want to put a pedestal sink in the plans
for your new bathroom, but you're afraid
to give up the storage space?

Solution:  Add a Concealed Cabinet or two in your design and get the bathroom of your dreams.  Even if your bathroom is tiny, it can still be well organized.  You don’t have to toss your medicine, toiletries, dental supplies,air fresheners, and extra toilet paper. Store them in the concealed cabinet and keep them tidy.

Extend Your Primp Zone

Bathrooms are one of the most trafficked areas of the home.  But most are painfully small.  Can't afford a full out remodel?  Extend the functionality of your bath by transforming a corner of the bedroom into an organized dressing area that suits your style.

An extra-long drawer fitted with felt trays means baubles can be whisked inside this modern vanity, leaving the top refreshingly uncluttered. Available for $179 at Ikea. 

This mirrored vanity telegraphs 1950s Parisian style. Painting stripes on the walls is a chic alternative to wallpaper. Mix your vanity with thrift finds and no one will guess you found it at JC Penny's for $300.

He may not be a metrosexual, but he sure is a bathroom hog.  End the bathroom squeeze by creating an ample dressing area for him in the bedroom.  Ikea's low storage unit combines drawers for clothes,a laundry hamper and a whimsical clothes tree to keep his suit unrumpled all for under $200. Add a valet to keep loose change, watch, cologne and cuff links contained.

Window Treatments for Small Spaces

Are you short on space, but not on style?  As cozy as small spaces can be, they can present some special design difficulties.  Never fear, here are the window treatment solutions for every nook and cranny.

Where you can't take curtains all the way to the floor—because of radiators or furniture—a custom drapery treatment that
just brushes the surface below can still feel lush.  Choose an outside mount to add height and drama to the windows.

A relaxed roman shade with a sweet pattern adds softness to a nook where there's no room for a curtain.Thomas Kinkade offers a beautiful selection of Roman Shades in florals, stripes, plaids and whimsical prints.

For more of Domino Magazine's wow window treatment suggestions read here.

How to: Accent or Downplay your Windows

Depending on their size and location, you might want to downplay or emphasize your bathroom windows to make your small bathroom appear larger or add light to a room that is dimly lit. Here are our expert's top tips:

Downplay: Have a stunning pedestal tub? Don’t detract with flashy curtains.
Downplay :Choose neutral colored fabrics in draperies, or practical humidity resistant faux wood blinds from Blinds.com.
Downplay: Leave windows bare with the exception of mini-blinds that complement your color scheme

Is a view the highlight of your powder room? Draw attention to it.

Emphasize:Highlight windows with colorful boxpleat, grommet or swag valances over coordinating shades
Emphasize: Harmonize treatments with your floor tiles, carpets, wall colors and other accessories like towels.

Is your design style formal or casual?

For me a normal night of entertaining:

A) Is a seated dinner party for 8 of my close friends

B)‘ ritas, longnecks and frozen taquitos.

My Guilty Pleasure:

A)I not only know what fork to use, but I am so polite my friends call me Mr./Ms. Manners.

B) I have been known to go weeks eating only "finger food" to avoid doing dishes.

Signature Scent:

A) Chanel of course

B) Febreze

Dream House:

A)Hearst Castle

B) Under the stars…

Style Icon:

A) David or Victoria Beckham, she’s called Posh for a reason.

B) Jennifer Aniston, Lance Armstrong, Kate Hudson.

Which best describes you:

A) The paparazzi started stalking you because your sunglasses are so big you must be famous.

B) You tried to negotiate wearing a “Texas Tux” to a wedding in Jersey and you were in the wedding.

Did you choose more A's? Every day is a chance to look your best and show off.  Your design style is Formal.  You value quality construction, brands you recognize.  You feel comfortable with traditional styles in clothes and design as you tend to invest in long term purchases.

Formal Editor's Tip:   Tear-dropped roman shades from Blinds.com are the perfect choice for formal rooms. They create an aura of grandeur and elegance.  Choose an outside mount if you are trying to create the allusion that your room is larger than it is.

Did you choose more B's?  Your design style is Casual.  You choose informal clothes in natural fibers like cotton and linen.  Plush couches and large kitchens and living rooms fit your mellow attitude and active lifestyle.  You may not live by the ocean or in the country but you take active inspiration from nature and love to entertain al fresco.

Casual Editor's Tip: To complement your casual look opt for Blinds.com wood blinds in a fresh white color or warm woods.