How to Make Your Condo Look Larger

In most condos, living and storage space is limited.

Condominium living comes with many perks, such as being a short distance to the city, little-to-no maintenance required and the countless amenities, from gyms to swimming pools. Condos are good choices for single buyers or couples interested in city living. However, the cons of condo living sometimes outweigh the pros. A major negative is limited living space. If you can't afford to purchase a larger condo, consider learning how to more efficiently use your current condo's square-footage.

Instructions

1. Replace your existing furniture with furniture that serves more than one purpose. For example, if you have a small bedroom, set up a daybed instead of a regular full or queen bed. This allows you to tuck away the bed when you don't have guests so that there's more space in the room. Or, in a small child's room, replace their bed with one that comes with drawers installed underneath. This way, your child's room won't need a separate dresser, which just takes up more space. In your living room, replace your coffee table with an ottoman that functions as a table, storage and seating.

2. Change the color of your walls. A little paint goes a long way in giving the appearance that rooms appear larger than they actually are. Light colors, such as pastels and neutral colors, leave your condominium feeling airy and open, since the light bounces around the room. Light colors not only make your condo look bigger, they also give rooms an inviting feeling.

3. Hang mirrors to give a false sense of added space. Hanging a mirror in a small room gives the room depth. Place the mirror across from the focal point of the room, such as a bed or a large window. Mirrors also help scatter light about the room, bringing brightness to dark corners that would otherwise remain unnoticed.

4. Give each room a focus. Just because you have limited space doesn't mean you have to opt for smaller furniture. You can still have a large bed in your room. To make up for the lost space, take advantage of your closet more for storage and use a smaller dresser, nightstand and vanity. The same applies to your living room. Instead of a large sofa with two recliner chairs, use a sectional sofa or a love seat with two small lounge chairs.

5. Clean your condo. Free up space in your condo by being organized and tidy. Less clutter leaves more space to walk around. For example, move your clothing hamper from the side of your bed to inside of your closet. Or, instead of hanging up numerous pictures and artwork on the wall, hang one large painting. Don't clutter shelves with various items; instead put one vase and candle or two.

References

• Lowes.com; Ten Ways to Make a Small Room Look Larger; 2011
• The Nest; How to Make a Small Space Look Bigger; 2011

Resources

• Lending Tree; Pros and Cons of Condominium Living; 2011