How size can matter less...Secrets for decorating smaller rooms.

CHICAGO, IL, November 11, 2010 (Press-News.org) How often have you heard the expression "doing more with less"? In a sluggish real estate market, many homeowners are staying in their current homes by necessity rather than upgrading to a larger home with more space. This places the challenge on the homeowner to make a smaller room look and function like a bigger space.

"When we think of making a smaller room work better, much of the focus is on throwing stuff out and organizing," said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Northern Illinois. "From a design and decor point of view, there are things homeowners and apartment residents can do to make a smaller space function and feel bigger."

Kushner recommends the following:

Space planning - Creating a focal point in the room can keep visitors' eyes from wandering and visually sizing up the entire room. Painting one wall a darker hue than the others accomplishes this quite nicely.
Mirrors - Consider mirroring the length of an entire wall to add depth and dimension to a room.
Lighting - If you can avoid it, do not use any hanging fixtures for lighting. These tend to accentuate lower ceilings. Track lighting is versatile and keeps the area above your furniture sight-line free.
Storage - In a smaller room, you need to be as efficient as possible with your storage. Make sure all the pieces of furniture you select for your smaller room have storage options (e.g. an electronics console with drawers, storage ottoman, etc.). Avoid open bookcases, which add to the cluttered, closed in feeling if they are full.
Decor - Remember, less is more. Select accessories that mean something to you and then think about removing one or two of those.
Flooring - If the square footage of the room is limited and it feels like the walls are closing in on you, the floor can be an ally. By sticking to neutral colors for the floor surface and then accentuating with a bold rug, you bring the focus of the room down to the surface.
"While everybody would like more space, decorating a smaller room does force you to do one thing that's beneficial no matter what the size of your home—reduce clutter," said Kushner. "By following just one or two of these guidelines, you can create a more livable space and, perhaps more importantly, make it feel more livable."

About DirectBuy Club
Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members' hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members' dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor's Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit http://www.directbuycares.com.