Home improvements: Big ideas for small spaces

Here are some foolproof ideas for smaller spaces:

Opt for sofas and armchairs that are on raised legs, to create a sense of space. A wall-to-wall bookcase will make your ceiling look higher, while introducing lots of additional storage space.

Use neutral colours such as white, grey and beige to create the illusion of a bigger, more organised space. Mirrors are essential.

Using a bright colour on your ceiling will drive the eye upwards, creating the illusion of a higher ceiling.

A smaller house doesn’t mean that you can’t add a ­little drama. Artwork will make any room feel more luxurious – and bigger.

Shoving furniture against the wall doesn’t guarantee that your room will look bigger. Try angling your bed or floating your sofa, with a skinny console behind it. Add breathing room around your furniture.

It’s easy to assume that you should decorate a small space with small furniture, but one prominent piece, such as a statement armchair, will work wonders.

* Courtesy of Boca Do Lobo, www.bocadolobo.com