Design Ideas

Making bedrooms large and spacious, starting with hardwood floors

March 06, 2013

There's something to be said for cozy bedrooms. After all, many of us manage through college in little more than a glorified closet with enough space for a bed and sometimes a desk (not to mention the two roommates). But by the time you've moved on to becoming a homeowner, you don't want your new apartment's bedroom to feel the least bit tiny, no matter how charming the idea. Avoid claustrophobia and get your space feeling expansive with a few tricks, like light hardwood flooring. Anderson Floors' Urban Loft collection is just one way to improve the spaciousness of a small room. Consider it and a few others.

The right boards, the right colors
Anderson offers a variety of colors for all its flooring collections, but some of the most beautiful are available for the Urban Loft line. True to its name, these boards are trendy, durable and complement the spatial dimensions of an apartment, especially in the Manhattan hue. The hickory planks are sure to please any decor style and are radiant heat-ready for the eco-conscious consumer.

Compact yet useful furniture
While it can be hard to give up a luxuriously sized bed, that doesn't mean you can't tailor the rest of your room's furniture to fit your dimensions. Start with the dressers - you'll be amazed how much closets or wall shelving can take care of when properly organized, leaving you a little extra floor room. Keep desks, side tables and other items compact as well. When it comes to bookshelves, why not build them into the walls themselves? This will save even more space, and floating shelves are always a trendy look.

Color and mirror illusions
Much like a light color of flooring, you want to keep your walls away from the dark end of the spectrum. While white can feel bland or blinding, a sky blue will offer the illusion of open space. Mirrors also grant some handy optic tricks. Rather than keep your mirror on the back of a door or inside your closet, hang it on a wall or stand it up somewhere where it can reflect plenty of light and seem to double the length or width of the room.

Lots and lots of sun
Speaking of light, apartments can sometimes be a little skimpy on it - especially in big cities. But getting as much light into your space as possible will definitely help it feel larger. Consider investing in a few full spectrum lamps that mimic sunlight, if your windows aren't offering much.

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