Libby Langdon's Small Space Solutions

Interior designer Libby Langdon is no stranger to small spaces.  She's a frequent contributor to HGTV's "Small Space, Big Style,"  starred in FOX's "Design Invasion," and works for clients with upscale, urban (read small) homes throughout the country. Now, Langdon's compiled her tips and tricks for making the most of the space you have into an easy to follow book due out this March.

Because as PC readers you're on the inside track, you don't have to wait until March to get a sneak peek at "Small Space Solutions."  We've got our favorite gems right here:

Libby’s Top Ten ‘Small Space’ Design Mistakes:

1.  Leaving your walls white
White walls won’t technically make your space larger and they lack personality. Spice up your space, have a little fun and paint some color on your walls!

2. Using large-scale furniture
Oversized pieces can hog square footage, and using better-proportioned furniture can allow you to create a more functional and comfortable living space.

3. Lack of light
Not lighting your space effectively makes it look smaller. If you can’t see an area in your room it’s as if it’s not there! Capitalizing on natural light and bringing in artificial light is imperative.

4. Using short shelving and cabinetry
Using full-scale shelves and cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling visually draw the eye upward making the ceiling seem higher and your space feel larger.

5. Keeping clutter
Holding onto too much stuff and not throwing away clutter can make even a large space feel small. When in doubt, throw it out!

6. Using small-scale accessories
Large lamps, artwork, candles, vases and accessories create the appearance of greater space and more height. No wimpy lamps!

7. Not using mirrors
Mirrors reflect light, whether it’s daylight or lamplight, and they visually make your space feel larger by adding depth and dimension.

8. Not capitalizing on your wall space
Think vertically and get your walls working for you! Mount shelving or storage systems up on your walls to display collections and store items so you don’t waste precious table space. This will also help focus your items in one spot so your space feels more organized.

9. Using all wood furniture
It makes a room feel clunky and bottom heavy, but by mixing in glass-topped tables with wood pieces you give your room a lighter, airier and more open feel.

10. Using small area rugs
A small area rug can look like a postage stamp and make your room feel cramped, but using a large rug creates an extended visual line and gives the illusion of more square footage.

Libby Langdon,"Small Space Solutions"
(Knack, an imprint of Globe Pequot Press; March 3, 2009)