Appealing to today's buyers calls for their need for a spacious home that's move in ready. That sounds simple enough until you look around and realize you might have some serious work to do in order to fulfill this requirement. Making small rooms appear larger can be a challenge but it can be done with attention to the right elements and some tricks of the trade.

Create a feeling of spaciousness and style by using monochromatic themes. Lighter, neutral colors can open up the room but avoid the tendency to go for the snowed in look with all white. It may seem appealing in a magazine, but most of us find that much starkness difficult to live with. Paler shades of taupe or gray can add a hint of color without overwhelming a room. You can punch up the interest with splashes of color in pillows or artwork.

Begin by painting the ceiling a lighter shade of the wall color. This unifies the space and creates the illusion of having no boundaries. Window coverings should be minimal and in the same color palate as the walls. Heavy curtains will make a room feel closed in. A simple treatment that allows light to flow into the room while maintaining privacy is best.

The floor treatments are equally important. If you are brave enough to paint your floors in the same hue as the walls and ceilings, you will totally obliterate the boundaries. If this is not your style, try to keep floor treatments to a minimum. Wall-to-wall carpet in a neutral color is a great option. If you have hardwood floors, you could leave them bare or use one rug as an anchor for a specific area. Do not use multiple small rugs as this breaks up the room and causes the eye to see lots of small spaces instead of one large one.
 
Now, it is time to add the furniture. Choose carefully. Look for pieces that have a sleek, no-frills design. Chairs without arms and glass top tables add to the illusion of space by not obstructing the view. Smaller pieces can be more effective as long as they are not diminutive and cutsey. Place furniture on angles and slightly away from the wall. This diffuses the appearance of corners and walls. In the bedroom, consider a platform bed. The bed will appear to float in the room. Large, imposing headboards can be attractive but they take up a lot of visual space.

Appropriately placed mirrors can add depth to a room. For the greatest impact, place your mirror where it will reflect the view from a window. If this is not possible, bring in a large fern for the opposite wall and you'll get a great garden effect. Add sparkle with reflective surfaces. Objects of silver, gold or glass will reflect light. Speaking of light, don't forget the lamps. Even the best of rooms will look dark, dingy and small without proper lighting, whether from lamps or the sun.

Accessories should be kept simple. One generous bouquet of flowers or appealing piece of art is better than a collection of little things. Let the interesting textures of fabric on chairs, sofas and pillows add the pizzazz.  Avoid clutter and strong patterns. Go for the minimalist and tranquil look and your rooms will look spacious while retaining their personality and charm.

Copyright 2008 PropertySource Network