Lighting

When dealing with a small space, lighting can be a challenge. Since you need to take advantage of every square inch of a small space, it may be hard to find room for appropriate light fixtures. However, there are plenty of creative ways to discreetly add light to a small space.

Lighting for Small Spaces

Before you even begin to consider maximizing space with lighting, it’s important to decide how to amplify the natural light that is available. Make sure that any windows are unobstructed and use white walls and mirrors to reflect that natural light.

Once you’ve considered your sources of natural light, it’s time to begin introducing light fixtures into the space. Some of the types of lighting that are most effective in small rooms include the following:

• Wall sconces. If you don’t want to take up floor space with a floor lamp, wall sconces are an excellent option for achieving diffuse but strong lighting. Since they take up almost no space, wall sconces are perfect for lighting small spaces.
• Recessed lighting. If you are able to install recessed lights, they are another great choice when you don’t want to devote much space to lighting. A few recessed lights can provide most of the light that you’ll need in a small space.
• Track lighting. Especially if you select flexible track lighting, track lighting can provide a completely versatile option. For those who are dealing with unusual space constraints, flexible track lighting can be customized to fit your needs.

In a small room, it’s important to devote at least a small amount of space to task lighting. In a particularly small space, one task light might be sufficient for a variety of different tasks. Think about the tasks you might perform while in your bathroom, sitting at your desk, or going through your closet and make sure that you will have sufficient light for each task. In a narrow hallway, wash a wall with light to create a more spacious feeling instead of centering fixtures in the ceiling, which needs to draw in the space.

Optical Illusions

Incorporating plenty of light into a small room will make it seem more spacious, but there are plenty of other ways to design a room to seem bigger. For instance, monochromatic color schemes can streamline a small room so that it feels larger than it actually is, particularly if you choose soft,  pastel tones. In addition, make sure to keep a small room free of clutter, as clutter quickly makes a room feel tiny and crowded. However, lighting is still the most influential factor in making a small room feel larger, so make sure that you focus on improving the lighting before worrying about other elements.