Small doesn't have to mean crammed.

MAKE YOUR SMALL HOME INVITING

Downsizing or buying a small first home may make you feel squeezed. That doesn't have to be the case. In fact, a petite home can be a glorious treasure that you are lucky enough to call home. If you follow these four tips, you’ll soon realize that small doesn't mean crammed.

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Go for quality.

A smaller home in a sought-after neighborhood that’s closer to the jobs, schools, and the amenities that you need is better than a long commute for a more spacious home. You shouldn't sacrifice location just because you think that you can't make a smaller home work for you. Instead of chasing size, consider choosing the right furniture and accessory pieces that can open up the space. More on this later.

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Minimize clutter.

Nothing makes a space feel cramped like overcrowding. If you’re sidestepping furniture, sports equipment or clothes on the floor, it’s time to declutter. Go through an "edit" phase to get rid of all the items that are not serving in a useful manner.

*Pro tip: Go through your clothing first and save items with sentimental value for last. This will help you build up to editing out items that are emotional attachments.

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Be clever.

Decorating a small space can be a lot of fun if you think in terms of furniture doing double duty. Ottomans can triple up as a footrest, coffee table or extra seating. Nesting tables can provide extra tabletop space when needed and store compactly. Using the right furniture and decor can empty up your space, which makes a small home feel a bit more spacious.

*Pro tip: If your home has shorter ceilings, an easy way to make the room look taller is to put the curtains rods up as high as the ceiling. This in turn elongates the walls and makes the room to appear much taller.

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Let the light in.

Everyone has heard that bright spaces look larger than dark spaces... and well it's true! Light cheerful colors on walls and in your décor can expand any room. Reduce the need for bulky lamps and tables by installing sconces and recessed lighting. Who said trendy couldn't be minimal?

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The trick is not searching for a bigger home. The trick is to have exactly what you want but know when enough is enough. Eliminating all of the extras and excess furniture or decor can make all the difference in making a small house feel like the perfect home.

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