Making the Most of Small Living Spaces

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Downsizing your living space? Or maybe you're getting your first place, but it's small. Here are some ways to make your small space feel bigger and host small parties without feeling cramped.

Make Rooms Feel Bigger

• Extend curtain rods beyond your window frames so you can let more light in when the curtains are open.
• Place a mirror on a wall that's on the opposite side of a window. The light reflecting off the mirror makes the room feel bigger.
• Use decorative trunks as tables so you can use them for storage too.
• Paint crown molding the same color as the ceiling to make a room seem bigger.
• Paint rooms in light colors instead of darker ones.
• Similarly, light flooring colors will make a room look bigger.
• According to Sabrina Soto, a home style expert from Target and HGTV, decorative accents smaller than a cantaloupe crowd a room, so choose accents that are bigger than that.

Hosting Parties

• If you're hosting a party or dinner, serve the food buffet-style or put the food on TV trays.
• Put a long, narrow piece of plywood on your ironing board and cover it with a tablecloth, then use it to set out appetizers or as a buffet.
• Provide folding chairs. If you don't have enough rent or borrow some.
• Rearrange furniture to accommodate more seating.
• Set the coffee table and arrange pillows on the floor around it for extra seating.
• If you live in a condo or apartment, consider hosting the party in the clubhouse if there's one available. Even cooler? Use the rooftop deck if that's an option!
• If the weather permits, host the party outside.

Most of the time your space won't be so small that it doesn't fit your needs, but these tips should help make it more comfortable.