SMALL OFFERS BIG BENEFITS; Key to livng in smaller space is

Not everyone occupies sprawling square footage. Apartment and loft dwellers, empty-nesters and those who follow the less-is-more philosophy, live happily in small spaces.

But, because life often comes with a lot of stuff, the secret to living in tight quarters is learning to make the most of your living space.

Professional Organizers, interior designers and small-space veterans offer the following tips for getting the most out of your home's storage potential:

Use clean lines and simple materials. Busy patterns tend to make a space look smaller.

Make sure each room has at least one mirror. Mirrored surfaces make a room look larger, and when reflecting a window can help bring the outdoors into the space.

Light colors reflect light and give a feeling of roominess. Darker colors make rooms feel more intimate.

Limit the furniture. Smaller pieces can make a room feel cluttered and claustrophobic.

Instead, select one or two full-size pieces, a sofa or a pair of wing chairs, and build the decor around them.

Make your furniture work twice as hard. Bring in a chest as a coffee table and use it to store magazines or extra blankets. Utilize an armoire as a home office, or project space. Consider a futon, which can be folded down when an extra bed is needed.

Take advantage of hidden space under the bed or over cabinets to store out of season clothing or holiday decorations.

If your home doesn't have a formal dining room, make a table do double duty. With the leaves removed, a small dining table can be used behind a sofa or as a desk until it's needed for guests.

SIDEBAR:REQUIRED READING -- Living Large in Small Spaces: Expressing Personal Style in 100 to 1,000 Square Feetby Marisa Bartolucci, Radek Kurzaj. Published 2003 by Harry N. Abroms. List price $35 -- Compact Living by Jane Graining. Published 1999 by Soma Books. List price $19.95 -- Small Spaces: Stylish Ideas for Making More of Less in the Home by Azby Brown. Published 1996 by Kodansha Int'l. List price $19.95

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