quicktips
Five ways to live large,
even in a small space
I
f you’re feeling too confined, there are ways to easily maximize your space. Go from cramped to comfortable with these tips and realize that you too can live larger with less.
TheRentersGuide.ca
TheRentersGuide.ca
1
Contain it The more items in view, the more compact the room appears. To prevent overcrowding, contain as much as you can in stylish storage, then designate a spot for every belonging, leaving only a few items on tables and desks. Line up storage pieces side-by-side for an orderly look that, along with uncluttered surfaces, makes the room feel more spacious.
2
Furniture that fits Replace large and overstuffed furniture that overwhelms with trim, tailored pieces more in scale with the space. Next, invest in as many multi-tasking pieces as possible, like a coffee table that doubles as seating that also has built-in storage, or a compact drop-leaf table that opens up to a desk or dining table.
3
Lighten up with window dressing No one likes a dark space. Even if the home feels cavelike with fewer windows than desired, capitalize on what you currently have. Add mirrors that act as virtual windows to enhance the light a room receives. Brighten the room with window coverings that make the most of natural light. Try Silhouette window shadings, with the Signature S-Vane, from Hunter Douglas. The product’s patented design softens harsh sunlight as it enters while drawing it deeper into the room and offers view-through and protection from UV rays to boot.
4
Colour that creates space As colour is one of the most powerful ways to affect a space, watch walls recede by choosing the right ones. Bold and warm hues make a room feel cozy, while light and cool tones instantly expand the space. Try light yellow, soothing soft blue or always-complimentary ivory on walls.
5
Divide and conquer – Another way to enhance a small space Sometimes what matters most, is to not just have an open design, but a place of one’s own. In order to carve out a space without costly construction, try using Hunter Douglas Provenance woven wood shades just now available in a vertical drapery option for a perfect room divider. The shades add rich texture to a space and come in a variety of fabrics from sheer to opaque, refined grasses to intricate patterns.
With a few creative additions and changes, you can transform a confined home anyone and everyone can’t wait to crawl out of, into a spacious homeTheRentersGuide.ca to settle into. More information is available online at www.hunterdouglas. ca or toll-free at 1-800-265-8000. NC
TheRentersGuide.ca