How to decorate small spaces

Many of us, including myself, live in a small spaces and small spaces can be easily cluttered. I have been asked over and over for the best tips and tricks to decorate and maximize your space. Here are a few of my favorites:

▪ Create a space plan: Don’t buy furniture or accessories without a plan. Instead, measure the area of your entire room including the height and either draw the space on simple graph paper or on a computer using a simple design program. Whatever you please.

When purchasing furniture, measure each piece and add this to your space plan. Use the graph paper as your guide. Each block is a foot. This will ensure proper room design without purchasing something too big or too little. Remember, small space doesn’t necessarily mean you buy tiny pieces of furniture. Maximize your space with proper size furniture choices that fit your space.

▪ Paint: Pick out your paint color last. Picking out a $500-$5,000 couch or chair or rug is more important than picking out a paint color that costs $50, and paint has limitless color opportunities. You can customize your paint color according to the more expensive items.

▪ Avoid clutter: Donate all of those old clothes and trinkets that take up space. A clean palate is a great way to restart. Proper shelving and storage are a must. So many pieces of furniture today have dual purposes; that ottoman can be a storage trunk, your bed can lift up and also serve as storage, dining tables that seat two can extend to seat six. These types of interior pieces are a great way to maximize the use of your space and avoid clutter.

Remember, clutter creates a suffocating feeling. Be smart when choosing all of your furniture.

▪ Small but sassy: Having a small space does not mean you can’t have a designer home. You need to bring out the smart designer and work some simple magic. You can create a gorgeous designer look with the correct furniture, some fantastic but smart accessories and space planning.

Color choice is also very important and will bring the room together. Find the look you want and keep that in mind when you design your space. The internet is a fantastic tool for that. Just take a look at Pinterest; the possibilities are endless.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 8:00 PM with the headline "How to decorate small spaces."