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    5 Mistakes People Make with Small Spaces

    By | Work + Money – Fri, Apr 16, 2010 8:43 PM EDT

    What's the biggest small-space no-no? We asked interior designers to dish on decorating flubs to avoid.

    • "Playing it safe. Instead, put a large-scale printed fabric or wallpaper on the walls and even the ceiling. It's easier, safer, and less expensive to be dramatic in a small space. You might get tired of a bold print in the main living area, but it can make a smaller, less-used room an exciting space to spend time." -VICTORIA NEALE

    Our Best Tricks for Decorating Small Spaces

    • "Cramming the space with too much stuff. A large piece of furniture can actually make the space feel larger, as long as it's selected carefully. For instance, if you have the benefit of high ceilings, a tall cabinet appropriately placed has the effect of drawing one's eye upward and away from the small footprint of the room. Just make sure every piece counts and holds its place and lets your eye rest." -LAURA KIRAR

    Do You Own the Accessories Every Living Room Should Have?

    • "Not paying enough attention to the color of flooring and walls. Lighter walls and lighter floors do automatically give the illusion of more space." -MARY MCGEE

    Check Out the Best Colors for Small Rooms

    • "Not strategizing. Decide everything that needs to happen in a room, and then work that legerdemain, baby. Divide a room geometrically into task-oriented zones-working, sleeping, relaxing, dining. Think in halves, quarters, or even on the diagonal and assign a function to each section." -ELAINE GRIFFIN

    Try These Furniture Tricks for Small Spaces

    • "White walls. Paint the room a dark charcoal gray or Ralph Lauren's Black Truffles, one of my favorites. This will actually really open up the space." -PAUL MATHIEU

    Browse the Hottest New Paint Colors

    What are your tricks for decorating small rooms?

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    Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.