Home Decorating & The Smaller Place

"Big Things Come In Small Packages" We're all familiar with this quote, it's normally associated with gifts not home decorating, but it should be.

A one or two bedroom house, apartment, condo or townhouse can be just as impressive and grand as something with fifteen bathrooms, Wow, imaging having to clean all those, I have enough trouble with two.

One interesting things I have found from past experience is that decorating a smaller place is actually easier, not to mention less expensive.

Whether your currently living in a small space or downsizing ? that's another one of those trendy "buzz" words, which simply means your moving into something smaller ? planning how your going to decorate or redecorate is a good idea.

You may think because it's smaller, having large pieces is out of the question. Not true, having oversized furniture is not going to make your rooms appear smaller, what it will do is give a warm inviting feeling.

Of course the layout and size of a room will determine how many pieces can comfortably go into it. After all, you may be looking for drama and comfort, but you still need to be able to maneuver around.

This also applies to accessories; it's better to have a few large dramatic pieces as opposed to a lot of small items, which can tend to turn into clutter and dust collectors.

The exception to this would be with collections. But again you want to have places to showcase them like glass front hutches, cabinets, bookcases or shelves.

Another decorating challenge can be in warming up your new place. This normally can easily be achieved by adding color with paint.

Now that's all fine and good unless you happen to be renting and your landlord say's "Paint, oh no". That's OK, color can be added in a number of other ways.

Several examples: Window treatments - Furniture fabric -Accent pillows - Area rugs - Wall art - Plants & Flowers

Storage can be another issue in a smaller space, there just never seems to be enough.

If you're buying new furniture or deciding on which pieces to bring from your current home, look for ones that can perform double duty.

For example: Instead of the standard coffee table, look for one with a flip top or shelves underneath. Cedar chests, blanket chests or trunks can also be substituted.

Place an armoire intended for the bedroom in the living room it's the perfect storage place for remotes, magazines, extra bedding, kitchen linen or any of those pesky little things you just can't seem to find a place for.

A small floor cabinet you might have used in a bathroom can become an end table. Most of these come with drawers, shelves or both.

Decorative stacking boxes or even old suitcases not only make for great storage, but they also become terrific accessories. Plastic storage boxes come in a variety of sizes, colors and are inexpensive.

They can be stacked on shelves in a closet or cabinet, even into drawers. Clear smaller sizes are perfect storage for shoes, winter gloves, pictures or how about extension cords, nails, packages of hooks or hand tools.

Larger sizes can keep extra winter coats, blankets, odd season clothes or seasonal decorations neat and in one place.

Baskets and hampers are another option.

Kids rooms are always in need of extra places for all their treasures, plastic milk crates are perfect for them. They come in many bright brilliant colors. One suggestion, if you are planning on stacking the crates and have small children it would be beneficial to secure them to the wall.

Plastic shelving units, which can be found in most discount stores, are perfect for mounting on the backs of doors or on the wall in closets.

These come in especially handy in the kitchen for holding extra soda bottles, canned goods, paper towel etc.

Well, I think you've gotten the idea, look around and use your imagination; you will be surprised with what you can come up with.

Moving into and decorating a small space can be challenging, but with a little planning it can be just as beautiful as any large house. And in the end, size really doesn't matter, if it's filled with the people and things you love, then you have successfully created a home.

This article is shareware. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice.

Copyright © 2005 bonnie carrier.

Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr old Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby.

Stop by Savvy Home Decorating - http://www.savvy-home-decorating.com - for ideas and tips on budget decorating:

---

An Introduction to Air Purifiers

Air purifiers have been around in various forms since the... Read More

Add A Little Spark To Your Bedroom With A Satin Comforter!

If you want to make your bedroom look rich and... Read More

Want a Beautiful Limestone Floor but Worried About The Maintenance? Read On

Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock. It is chemically... Read More

How Do You Choose Art for Your Home?

You have just moved into a new home. Perhaps it's... Read More

What is a Duvet Cover?

A Duvet Cover is actually just another name for a... Read More

The Magic of Color

Deciding what colors to use when decorating your house can... Read More

Decorating on a Dime

Decorating your home and office can be a challenge if... Read More

Pizzazz Your Front Door and More!

Want your front door to really "sing?" Then paint it... Read More

Feng Shui in Colours

How does choice of colour affect your feng shui?Colours and... Read More

Home Decorating & The Smaller Place

"Big Things Come In Small Packages" We're all familiar with... Read More

Buying Custom Wood Blinds

Window and door blinds on windows and doors are chief... Read More

A Brief History of Wedgwood China

The story of the line begins in 1730 with the... Read More

Discount Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans sell at a wide range of prices. They... Read More

How To Decorate a Large Family Room

Dividing the room into different use areas is a great... Read More

The German Grandfather Clock Tradition

We expect a lot from our clocks. We expect them... Read More

Quick And Easy Bathroom Decor Changes

Are you tired of the way your bathroom looks? Don't... Read More

Make Your Own Fishing Decor from Fishing Gear

Decorating with old, used fishing gear is fun, creative and... Read More

Go Vintage When Decorating Your Hearth

With the weather cooling, it's time to put on the... Read More

Long-Strip and Engineered Hardwood Floors

Longstrip hardwood floors are wide and long, and each plank... Read More

Pot Racks - Make a Statement In Your Kitchen

One of the most beautiful, versatile and efficient accessories that... Read More

Home Decorating: Planning Lightning

When you are choosing a bathroom light fixtures or lightning... Read More

Grandfather Clock Repair

A well-made grandfather clock is an heirloom piece, designed to... Read More

Mission Style Lighting - Its Timeless Beauty Continues

If you ask most people to tell you about Mission... Read More

Granite Countertops: An Overview

Home remodelers and builders have experienced a boom in the... Read More

Use A Wallpaper Border For A Budget Backsplash

You can add some splash to your kitchen without spending... Read More

The Benefits of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks

Stainless steel has emerged as the most popular choice of... Read More

Fast Solutions with Feng Shui

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art used in the... Read More

Discount Granite Countertops

The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal... Read More

Types of Home Air Purifiers

Room Air Purifiers Room air purifiers replaced tabletop units in... Read More

An Introduction to Roman Shades

Roman shades are a simple and practical window treatment to... Read More

A Guide to Closet Organizers

Along with losing weight and quitting smoking, getting organized is... Read More

What are HEPA Air Filters?

The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that almost 90% of... Read More

Beds In A Bag Make You An Instant Designing Pro!

If you feel bedroom-designing challenged like I am, then bed... Read More