There is a kind of cozy charm found in small rooms. With the right decorations and furniture, any small space can be made into a comfortable nook that is perfect for a cup of coffee and a few good hours of reading.  However, when your "nook" is also where you live, the task of creating the illusion of space can feel daunting. 

The good news is, it's not impossible to make your small living space appear larger and more comfortable.  In fact, these four easy tricks will help you turn any room in the house from feeling like a cramped cupboard into a spacious getaway right in the middle of your home.

Light Cheerful Colors for Light Cheerful Rooms

Small spaces already tend to be full of shadows.  The easiest way to counter this is with light and bright colors. If this means a trip to the local hardware store for paint, then keep in mind that bright pastel colors can help reflect light on the walls of any room, thus creating the illusion of more area.  In spaces with large windows, cheerful pastel yellows and soft rose pinks might work well, as these colors easily reflect sunlight and help spread a warm sunny glow across open surfaces. 

However, in a room with less natural lighting, it might be wise to go with the soothing tones of a soft, cooling blue or a pastel green; these colors blend well with artificial light, especially when it comes to the new LED bulbs.  If you're having difficulty choosing which color to use, remember that white or a slight off-white is always a suitable choice and is easily dressed up with room decor.

The Right Curtains Can Go a Long Way

Many people use heavy or dark curtains in their bedrooms to help block out sunlight in the morning. If your bedroom is small, however, these same curtains can make the room feel stifling.  To counter this, try finding curtains with lighter colors.  White is ideal, as it goes with almost any color you might paint the walls. But if white doesn't work for you then go with some lighter coordinating tone that compliments your color scheme.  Also, don't leave the curtains closed during the day; tie them back so that sunlight can filter through the window.  The more natural light in a small space, the less small and more comfortable it will feel.

Just say "No" to Bulky Furniture

When you live in a small space, you quickly learn that less often means more.  In this case, less furniture bulk in the way means more room to spread out and enjoy life.  Big clunky recliners and heavy leather sofas are space-eaters.  Yes, of course they're comfortable, but they also take up a lot of room that could be better utilized, and as anyone who lives in a small place knows, any space that can be better utilized should be.  

If you're looking for new furniture to bring atmosphere to your small space without cluttering it up, why not try a sleek modern design in light or bright colors.  Remember, giving up bulk does not necessarily mean giving up comfort.  There are many furniture options out there that harmonize sleek design with comfortable living, like this lounge chair from our collection- it provides a stylishly comfortable look without taking up extra room, and its clean-cut style adds a modern yet welcoming flair.

Which brings us to our fourth trick…

Declutter Everything

The downside of living in a small space is that you don't have a lot of room to work with.  Too many objects lying around can make any room feel cluttered and tiny no matter how much you paint and adjust furniture.  However, the solution is as simple as a few hours of cleaning and organization.  If you keep the areas under and on top of tables, chairs, and couches open and free of clutter, you'll provide the eye with a clear line of sight along the floor and over the surfaces of furniture.  This adds to the illusion of space. 

Of course, doing this also means that you can't keep too many unnecessary possessions in your small space at one time.  Try to get rid of any old belongings that you don't have a use for anymore, and limit the number of new things you bring into your home.  Remember the saying "there's a place for everything and everything in its place." If you don't have a good place for it, then it probably should go.

Have fun turning your small spaces into fresh new get-aways the whole family can enjoy!  And remember, if you find yourself in need of a professional designer's help, you can always contact me here.

Life in quarantine can be challenging. Many of our usual avenues of communication are no longer viable and on top of that, we're all trapped inside our homes forced to examine the reality of the four walls surrounding us. And in some cases, our less than ideal interior design. But just because it's no longer safe to go outside and look, touch, and explore all of the latest design trends with an interior designer in person doesn't mean that all of your home design plans have to be put on hold.

In fact, now is the perfect time to work with an interior designer virtually!

One of the most important aspects of home design, and one of the most difficult aspects for interior designers, is crafting the perfect mix of trends, styles, and vibes to match the customer's desires for their home, something that we take seriously here at Ana Maria Designs. This relates to the paint color on the walls, the furniture in the room,  to even the throw pillows adorning the couch. And the easiest way to make sure that you get the best results, and that your interior designer brings your home to its full potential, is to have clear ideas about what you want.

Stuck inside our homes with what seems like limitless free time (outside of those pesky Zoom calls for work!) is the ideal time to clarify, compile, and create your vision for what you want your home to be. Draft some detailed emails, create a Pinterest board, hop online for a video call, or take advantage of our Design Your Own service.  Scroll through our project galleries and to find examples of rooms you love. Take the time to point out which aspects you enjoy, arrange a folder of concept pictures, furniture pieces that you love,  wall art that inspires you, and colors and fabrics that spark joy.

Ana Maria Designs is always happy to discuss your home design projects, even while in quarantine, so send us a note or book a call today.

In their 20th year of selecting the Color of the Year, Pantone offers something simple and elegant. As the shade of the sky as it fades to dusk, Classic Blue transcends the high-speed tech world we live in. It offers a solid serenity to soothe and relax. In our interior spaces, this means we can use the color to build cozy and comforting rooms.  

Find Balance

As a vibrant, primary color, Classic Blue is a bold hue that reads dark on walls and bright on textiles. Overusing the shade can feel intense so finding balance is key. A singular accent wall works well as a bold pop of color in a large space. Selecting a few smaller decor elements will tie the color into any scheme in an understated way.  

Small Yet Bold

Smaller spaces like hallways, bathrooms, or foyers are excellent areas to lean into Classic Blue. This darker shade can actually open a room up while drawing people in. It also makes a lovely backdrop for any accent pieces you bring in.  

Accessorize Wisely

If you are opting to use Classic Blue in your decor accessories, be sure to choose multiple pieces. A singular small item will look at odds if there are no other uses of the color. Instead, you want to tie the whole space together with repetition and variety.

You can achieve this unity by selecting artwork, rugs, or table decor that incorporate blue. Elago even offers tech gear in this sophisticated shade for subtle touches throughout your home.  

Utilize Texture

Classic Blue is the perfect color for developing a monochromatic palette. This rich shade has enough moodiness to keep a space interesting. Select a broad range of textures to build layers and depth. Luxury fabrics like velvet upholstered chairs will look stunning against an airier curtain of the same shade.  

As we enter a new era, returning to a classic color provides our homes and workspaces the stability we crave. Embracing Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue will keep your spaces fresh and relaxing in 2020.