decorating a small house

[sunnydaze8]

just moved into a small size house, a lounge diner, small main bedroom and 2 box rooms literally, only one would fit a single bed down the side wall. wanting some ideas to make rooms look bigger. i did think of wallpapering just one of the walls in the lounge and the main bedroom behind the bed to make them an accent wall. do i need to use paper with a large design on it or small design, which makes the room look bigger? any other ideas for making things look spacious?we hope to sell this house soon and want to promote it the best we can. the kitchen is also tiny. many thanks.

[alavahalf]

Don't laugh.......A smaller bed will definitely make the room look bigger...
Big mirrors will also help.....They are really cheap at Ikea...Loads of glass for your cash.

[heathfield]

Any patterned wallpaper will draw that wall in. Best to stick to plain pale colours. Some tips here...

http://www.paintcafe....opos/espace/index.asp

[scotman]

Use pale or pastel colours. If wallpapering avoid strongly horizontal patterns.

[dothawkes31]

Lighting and pale pastel colours plus large mirror on one wall in the lounge, use 2 seater sofas and don't use a hearth rug or footstools, keep the clutter down, try using vertical blinds at the windows not curtains. use narrow but tall wall display units or wardrobes and have a carpet that runs through from the lounge to the diner, try to have a large open view to the rear garden if there is one. use light wood dining table and chairs, just a small set. Don't hang anything on the walls except mirrors. If you put a fire place in use one of those floating ones, same with any shelving. keep evrything light wood. use half glass doors to each room as it lets in light.
In the kitchen make as many appliances integrated as possible. use under cupboard downlighters and uplighters on the tops of cupboards. Use those push activated plug socets that sink into the worktops to create power outlets. put narrow cupboards over your cooker hood, use a 50cm oven not a 60cm.

[smurfchops]

Next time you go to a newsagents make a note of all the House magazines (Ideal Home, etc) then you can look up their websites and get ideas from the photos on them, online. Keep it plain and cream, large mirrors do help. Smaller design on the accent wall, and not a dark colour. Soft yellows, creams, aqua, soft cornflower blue, cream furniture and paint any old reproduction furniture with white undercoat, and then cream. Mmm lovely. Cath Kidston type roses and colours are also fashionable for a country look. Make one box room into a small office with a laptop. Dont leave lots of things on the worktop, keep it clear, clean and unfussy. Good luck.