Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Teresa Merelman, Broker, Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VTPhone: (802) 793-5171
Email: [email protected]

Decorating secrets: Designing a small living space

by Teresa Merelman, Broker 01/29/2025

Designing a small living space can feel like a challenge. However, it's possible to add style, comfort and functionality to any space regardless of the square footage. If you're interested in ways to maximize the potential of your small spaces, here are some decorating tips to help:

High & low

One key strategy to designing a small living space is achieving a perfect combination of high-and-low. Some decor and furnishings should draw attention up high, while others should remain low to create the illusion of more space.

For example, attach curtain rods far above the tops of windows to make them appear taller. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases can also make the ceilings of the room seem higher and add more space. For furniture, opt for low-sitting pieces closer to the ground. Sofas, beds and other larger furnishings should rest entirely on the floor or very close to it. The combination of these two furnishing strategies will make any space appear more open.

The perfect rug

Finding the perfect area rug for a room is essential to the design process. However, it's crucial to pick the correct size of rug, especially when decorating a small space. Too small a rug can make the room seem smaller and more cramped than it actually is, while a rug that's too large can swallow up available floor space.

To find the perfect size of rug, consider the placement of furniture in the room. Chairs and beds should be half-way on the rug rather than completely on top of it, while smaller furnishings like end tables should either be on empty floor space or on the rug. Experiment with different rug shapes to find the perfect balance in your space.

These are just two ways to decorate a small room without making it cramped or uncomfortable. By maximizing the space you have, you can express your personal style and create the perfect aesthetic for any room.

About the Author
Author

Teresa Merelman, Broker

 Teresa's beginnings were at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was child #5 of 8 and born into an Air Force family that moved all over the United States but usually ended up back in the Washington, D.C. area. Teresa attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received her bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Some of her prior careers include: computer buyer in Fairfax, Virginia; Deputy Clerk at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado; Police Officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Bed & Breakfast owner in Stowe, Vermont. Teresa obtained her license as a Realtor® in 1998. She has been through many ups and downs in this profession and continues to learn every day. She very much enjoys the real estate profession and the wonderful people she has met and assisted along the way. In order to serve her clients and customers, Teresa continually attends classes and seminars. Some of her Designations and Certifications include: 

  • ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative (2003)
  • CBR - Certified Buyer Representative (2000)
  • e-PRO - Internet Certified Professional (2001)
  • CNHS - Certified New Home Specialist (2005)
  • CRS - Certified Residential Specialist (2005)
  • AHS - Accredited Home-Stager Specialist (2008)
  • TRC - Transaction Referral Certification (2009)
  • RSPS - Resort and Second Home Specialist (2009)
  • GREEN - NAR's Green Designation (2009) 
  • SFR - Short Sales & Foreclosures Certification (2009) 
  • SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation (2012)
  • AHWD - At Home With Diversity (2021)
  • SRS - Seller Representative Specialist (2021)

Teresa has also served and continues to serve on several boards:

  • Lamoille Area Board of Realtors - President and Board of Directors
  • Vermont Association of Realtors - Board of Directors
  • NEREN (MLS) - Board of Directors and Shareholder 
  • Vermont Real Estate Commission - as a member of VAR's Liaison Committee
  • Stowe Vibrancy - Board of Directors - this is a volunteer group that promotes activities in the Village of Stowe

In 2007, Teresa was named Vermont Realtor of the Year.Teresa and her husband, a local attorney, moved to Stowe in 1987. They had two sons and Stowe has been their home for the past 36 years. She still feels the Stowe area is a wonderful place to raise a family, there's always something going on. Teresa can often be found behind the lens of her camera documenting the beauty of the area and its many events.As an update, Teresa's older son is now a Doctor/resident at the University of New Mexico's Emergency Management Program. Her younger son graduated from James Mason University and currently resides in Chicago, IL as a supervisor for OKTA.