7 Sneaky Secrets of Successful Small Spaces

By Kailey Walters on July 30, 2018

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

If you live in an apartment, a college dorm room, or any relatively small space where you’ve been pining for something a bit bigger, here’s some good news for you: there are many ways to spruce up that space to make it the best it can be.

Sure, maybe you don’t have the time or resources at the moment to expand your living space or make any drastic overhauls, but there are certainly some smaller, subtler steps you can take to transform the space — be it a bedroom, living room, bathroom, you name it. Whether you’re attempting to make the room look larger or you simply wish to decorate more tastefully, read on for some tips and tricks on turning your space into what you’ve always dreamed it could be.

living room, space, walls

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1. Choose your furniture wisely.

Filling your space with the right kind of furniture will help create the illusion that you actually have much more space than you do. One thing you can do, for example, is buy a sofa without a skirt so that the sofa legs create the illusion of extra space between the floor and the sofa itself. You can accomplish this trick with other furniture too, such as bedside tables with legs instead of ones that sit right on the floor. Basically, any furniture with legs can do a good job of creating this illusion of extra space.

2. Get wall-mounted shelves instead of regular bookshelves.

In a similar aspect as the previous point, having wall-mounted shelves can help make your space look a bit bigger than it really is. Eliminating the whole clunky bookcase and simply having shelves on which to put your stuff can really make a big difference visually.

The best part about having wall-mounted shelves is that they actually provide more room for you to store your belongings. Since wall-mounted shelving systems are closer to the wall, they take up less floor space. They can also physically hold more items, because it’s totally up to you how many shelves you want to install! You can choose to put in only a few shelves, or you can go ham and install shelves all the way up to the ceiling (as long as you have a way of reaching them). Wall-mounted shelves are also very flexible, as you can place them wherever you have space (as opposed to a regular bookshelf), such as on the wall above your desk.

3. Choose artwork that fits the space.

When it comes to decorating, artwork is certainly an important part of creating the space you’ve truly envisioned. With that being said, you want to be careful about what kind of art you choose and what size it is. After all, the size of the artwork (such as paintings or frames that get hung on the wall) should be proportional to the size of the wall — i.e. little art goes on little walls, and big art goes on big walls. By following this rule of thumb, you can avoid choosing artwork that looks too clunky, awkward, or inappropriately sized.

shelves, wall-mounted, plants

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4. Paint the walls.

You’ve probably heard something like this a million times before, especially the idea that you should paint your walls white to make the room look bigger. There is certainly some truth to this, but you don’t have to make your walls white necessarily. Painting them any light color, such as pastels, can give the room an airy feeling. (To go along with the light-colored walls, it’s also a good idea to opt for light-colored floors — think light hardwood or light carpet.)

5. Include mirrors.

Adding mirrors to make a room look larger is also a fairly popular method. Mount some mirrors that cover one wall — or at least one section of the wall — and see your space be transformed.

6. Take advantage of storage furniture that can store away and compartmentalize your stuff.

A big part of making your space look larger is making sure it’s clean and uncluttered. To do so, a great trick is to hide away your things in furniture such as ottomans and storage benches, which will conceal everything you don’t want to have lying around. Having fewer things scattered around out in the open can make a subtle yet effective difference!

7. Use stripes to make the room appear longer.

Adding a simple decorative piece, like a striped rug, can go a long way in transforming the space you have in mind. For the best effect, arrange the stripes so that they go the length of the room, thereby giving the room a lengthened appearance.

With so many possibilities to make your living spaces look bigger and better, don’t hesitate to jump on some of these tips and tricks. The next time your guests come over, you’ll be able to proudly show off your transformed space!

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

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