If you live in an older home, sometimes tiny rooms present decorating challenges. Not big enough for a media room or for an office, yet too big to be deemed merely dead space, these areas can still be put to good use if decorated effectively. Read below for a few ideas on how to make the most of a small space.
Reading Nook
Why not transform a small room that has plenty of light into a cozy reading room? Two comfortable chairs and added light for night time reading will transform a formally useless space into a spot for relaxation or intimate conversation. Try placing two wingback chairs side by side with a tiny table in between to hold coffee or tea mugs, add a rug in front of the chairs, and finish with several flowering plants. Since the space doesn’t see much action, it’s a perfect spot to escape the activity of the rest of the house to read the morning paper or to enjoy a novel in the evening.
Mud Room
If the space is close enough to a major entry way, consider using it as a mud room. Young children welcome a spot to hang coats and to place school bags. A reduced size coat rack, complete with bench, offers a great way for children to stash winter boots and coats without mom or dad’s help. Make sure to add a sturdy rug on top of a durable floor surface, and clean up will be a breeze. Finally, this room can also be a useful spot to add a large bulletin board to display your child’s most recent art work, or to place reminders of upcoming school events.
Plant Room
I’ve seen small spaces turned into a place where those with green thumbs can show off their talents even during the winter months. Of course, plenty of light remains key in this room’s potential success! Purchase a few decorative shelves for a plant collection, or if you are really talented, use this space for starting your garden plants. Maybe even grow a few herbs for a fresh addition to your daily cuisine. Finally, one or two hanging plants can also help to fill this previously unused space with beauty.
Display Space
Many people enjoy collecting, and what better way to display these precious possessions than in a space dedicated to them? For example, my dad collects Native American artifacts -everything from arrowheads to axes to balls used in games. These treasures look amazing in glass topped cases on shelves. In addition, old bows and arrows grace the walls of his display area. Whatever you collect, these previously unused spaces can be revamped to show off your passion. Everything from vases to sports memorabilia can be displayed tastefully, while giving insight into your personality.
So, don’t despair, that space you didn’t know what to do with can become an integrated part of your home. All you need to do is focus on a theme for the room.
