Space in a room can be just an illusion

The general consensus, until recently, seemed to be that bigger is better. McMansions are the only way to go and the one who has the most toys at the end is the winner. But now, in light of the great paradigm shift that has occurred in our economy, many of us are re-evaluating our priorities and have come to realize that simpler can be better and that smaller isn't such a bad thing after all. In fact, downsizing has become a very attractive way to go.

Any designer worth his salt has certainly dealt with homes and rooms of all different sizes and has come to rely on any number of design tricks, ideas and solutions that can help create the illusion of less being more. Following are a few of my own tried and true secrets-of-the-trade interior design tips that may help to get you out of a tight spot.

First and foremost, it's important to realize that in a small space, everything counts. The basics to deal with are color, furniture scale and arrangement, and the equally important and essential element of lighting.

To begin with, color is important for any room, but especially a small one. So, I strongly advise you to think in monochromatic terms when it comes to color choices. This means colors that are in the same family. Neutral light shades and bright colors will work best, so try to avoid using dark colors. It's generally thought that whites, pastels, neutral cream colors, as well as soft tones of blues and greens are just a few of the best color combinations that can open up a tiny room.

It's all about "trompe l'oeil" (fooling the eye) or in other words, illusion. Light and brightly colored walls are naturally more reflective, which goes a long way to making a space feel more open and airy and will maximize the effect created by natural light. Dark colors generally absorb light and make a room feel smaller. Painting your wall trim and moldings a lighter color than your walls so that the wall appears further back, making the room appear bigger, is another aid in helping you create the impression of a bigger reality.

Good lighting is essential in the quest for the appearance of more space; be sure to invest in some high-quality lighting for your home. The more light in your room, the better for making it appear more than it really is. Artificial light can work just as well as the real thing and you'll come to realize that the more light in the room, the better. I've often used spotlights to highlight objects at opposite ends of a room, which helps to create the illusion of distance between two focal points and makes a space appear bigger than it really is.

And, of course, one of the best and least expensive ways to decorate small rooms (or rooms of any size, for that matter) and create the illusion of more space is with mirrors. A mirror will actually act as a room expander when it's strategically placed to reflect light from a window, for example.

Angling a mirror toward a focal point in a room will give the illusion of depth. Reflecting artificial and natural light will make a room brighter during the day and night. Mirrors have the magical ability to bounce light deep into a space, which serves to make it appear larger. They work great on cabinet doors as well for an expansive and uncluttered look.

Regarding furniture scale and arrangement, try to remember that it's important to see the floor. Or in other words, avoid oversized sofas and too much furniture in order for your room to appear larger. Ideally you should try to use multifunctional furniture with clean lines and be sure to scale the furniture to fit the size of your room. Placing the large pieces against the wall to keep a clear pathway to walk is always a good idea.

You might consider having at least some of the furniture the same color as the walls, and placing a few of the pieces at an angle works very well because the longest straight line in a room is its diagonal. When the furniture is placed at an angle, it leads the eye along the longer distance, rather than the shorter wall. Keeping the furniture in the same tone color family also is a great help because broken colors that stand out have a tendency to make a space seem even smaller that it is.

Additionally, keep in mind that taller furniture may make your ceilings feel lower than they really are and that it's best to choose a sofa and chair with open arms and exposed legs. And finally, a glass or acrylic table will keep the appearance of an open and free space. They will allow light to filter under the furniture which will make your room appear airier.

We're all starting to embrace the concept that bigger isn't necessarily better and that small isn't only beautiful, but easy and practical as well. Follow these tricks of the trade for how to make a small room look bigger and enjoy the extra space you create -- whether real or illusion.

Stephen Leon is a licensed interior designer and president of Soleil Design International; he has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for more than 25 years. He has served on the board of directors of the Central California/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. Questions can be sent to stephen@soleildesigninternational.com.