6 Mistakes to Avoid in Small Home Spaces

There is no reason a small home space can’t make a great room. At Unique Flooring of San Diego, some of our favorite projects have also been some of the smallest. The trick is to utilize the space that is available correctly. Here are six mistakes to avoid when setting up and decorating smaller rooms.

1. Don’t use dark colors.
   Dark colors tend to shrink a space. First and foremost, avoid painting the walls a dark color. Also, say just say “no” to dark accents such as blankets, curtains, rugs and pillows.
2. Don’t waste space.
   Utilize every inch of space available, especially if it is a room with a specific purpose, such as a bathroom. For example, instead of hanging art above the toilet, hang a cabinet. In small bedrooms, use the wall space for cool floating shelves, and in mudrooms go gung-ho with the hooks.
3. Don’t cram too much in, either.
   While you want to use as much of your small space as you can, jamming too much in there will give it a cramped feel. How do you find balance? Avoid furniture you don’t need, especially accent pieces that have little utility like an end table or a decorative floor lamp. You can also try to find new homes for some items. For instance, maybe you move all your books to a bookcase in another room or get a few low-profile boxes and put them under the bed.
4. Don’t pick the wrong flooring.
   In a small room, flooring is important. Dark carpet or even dark hardwood floors are going to make the room seem smaller. It’s best to go with light hardwood flooring and large planks if possible.
5. Don’t forget to be creative.
   Sometimes in a small space you have to come up with creative solutions to best utilize it. For example, if you have a small guest bedroom, you might use a captain’s bed that has built-in dresser drawers to avoid the need for a standalone dresser.
6. Don’t forget to use mirrors.
   Mirrors create the illusion of more space, so if you don’t have any in a small room, you are missing a chance to make it look bigger. A mirror on the wall or mirrored doors will give you the most bang for your buck.

If you’re considering sprucing up your home just in time for spring, why not update the flooring? At Unique Flooring in San Diego, we offer a huge selection of options for every taste at every price point. You can click here for a free consultation, or give our flooring experts a call at (760) 945-0010. We look forward to hearing from you!