Ideas for a Small Den
Among the greatest decorating challenges is how to make a small den look cozy rather than crowded, calm rather than cluttered. Planning is key. Decide in advance how you will utilize the space in your den, and you may be surprised by how comfortable the final outcome is. Does this Spark an idea?
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Paint
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Dark colors absorb light, making a room feel smaller; light shades reflect light, causing a room to feel more spacious. Still, that doesn't mean that you must choose a light color. Depending upon the atmosphere you wish to create, warm colors like red, orange and yellow can make the room feel cozy, while cool colors like particular shades of green, blue and violet give the impression of a calm and tranquil space.
Furniture
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You don't necessarily have to use the smallest pieces of furniture you can find in a small den, but you should use the least number of pieces you can reasonably get by with. Pay special attention to placement. Pull the sofa away from the wall, and place a sofa table behind it, finished with a lamp on top. If you don't have a sofa table, a short bookshelf will work even better. You'll not only have a surface for your lamp but will also have extra storage space. Place chairs on an angle. Furniture on a diagonal will make the room look larger as the eye focuses on the length of the furniture rather than how near the corner of the room is. If possible, opt for furniture with exposed legs and open arms. Bring in glass-topped coffee and end tables. Both will help make the space feel more open.
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Entertainment
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A flat panel television is an obvious choice for a small den. Install it on the wall to save space. If you don't have a flat panel model, hide your television and stereo components away in an armoire. You can also use the armoire to store music and DVDs.
Lighting
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Utilize the natural light that comes through the windows by minimizing your window coverings. Install a dimmer on an overhead light for an automatic change in ambiance. A lamp in a dark corner will further warm the space.
Accessories
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Keep accessories to a minimum. The den sometimes takes on the role of "catch-all" in a home and ends up looking cluttered. Layer in one item at a time, beginning with your favorite. One or two pieces of art, two scatter pillows and a simple throw will make a more powerful decorative statement than a room full of stuff.
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References
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
