- By Woman's Day Staff

modern living room
No budget for a big renovation? No problem! Turn your house into the home of your dreams with these smart but so-simple tips from the past 75 years of Woman's Day. Photo by Thinkstock
Related: Find 15 clever uses for household items.
"Enlarge" a Small Room
1 | Use shades of the same color on the walls, floor and ceiling so that the eye focuses on the furniture-and not the size of the space. September 19852 | Place a decorative mirror so it reflects a window. It will provide the illusion of space as well as a pleasing picture. January 1938
3 | Hanging vertically striped wallpaper on the longest expanse of wall or on two adjacent walls that have no windows or doors will draw the eye up. June 1975
4 | In a small bedroom, push the bed out of the corner and into the center of the room (but still keep the headboard against the wall). The room will look bigger. February 2010
5 | In a cramped living room, replace the couch with a love seat.
...Read More » A well-designed kitchen has minimal clutter and maximum efficiency. Whether you're redecorating or totally remodeling, here are the best ideas for small spaces.
1. Mirrors Work Magic
white kitchen
A mirrored backsplash in this shabby-chic Manhattan apartment gives the illusion of more space. "The kitchen opens up to the living room on one side and the family room, where we eat and watch TV, on the other," says designer Faye Cone. "The idea was that it should be an extension of both these spaces."
Related: Amazing Outdoor Rooms
2. Think Upward
Home Depot designer Emily O'Keefe added cabinetry with period charm to this small kitchen. "Since space was tight, I went up, stacking the cabinets," she says. "The ceilings are 11 feet high, but not every cabinet touches the ceiling - that way they look more like furniture."
Plus: The Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes
3. Choose Chairs Without Arms
D...Read More »
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