Moving from a larger residence to a smaller house or apartment? If so, you are certainly concerned that your new accommodation will look spacious and inviting. The following decorating ideas will give you a good start in making this transition more seamless.

The truth of the matter is, you probably won’t be able to fit everything into your new home no matter how hard you try to make it happen. This brings us to the first step, which is determining what you really need and cannot live without. These can be furniture and accessories that you already own or will need to buy.

The second step is deciding which space saving strategies will work best for you. Are you interested in onboard or standalone storage? Built-in storage is actually more efficient, while freestanding storage creates dead space around you and appears to block vision in the room.

A combination of storage designs really looks better. Consider using closed cabinets, glass-fronted cabinets, and open cabinets for an airy look. The eclectic look gives the room character.

Use multipurpose furniture whenever it serves more than one possible purpose. A sofa bed is a good example of multipurpose furniture and may be just right for your situation. Just remember that the sofa bed should be as comfortable as a sofa when it is converted to a bed. The ease of transforming it from one use to another is also an important consideration. This applies to all multipurpose furniture and accessories.

Other space-saving pieces include folding furniture and accessories. A classic example is a fold-down bed that folds away from the wall when in use and stows away again after use. I remember the efficiency of travel trailers and mobile homes when I think of decorating ideas for small spaces. They are more efficient and offer ideas that can be used in any house or apartment.

When choosing accessories for a small room, try to place only three or five of anything in a group. An odd number for a grouping looks better. There’s a fine line between having collections and clutter … you know what I mean? Ask a friend if a group or room looks messy.

Keep in mind that in a small space you should give your accessories and displays plenty of room to breathe. They will become focal points of the room!