Use the full height of rooms since people often only use what's at eye level or below, Friel says. When it comes to work areas, papers pose the biggest dilemma to getting and staying organized. When mail arrives, open it, throw out junk and file accordingly. Avoid stacking papers since that takes up more room than necessary. Keep desks and counters free, Friel says.
Closets pose a major challenge since they're often limited in number and size in small homes.
You can achieve good results by installing recessed wall washers, hanging a chandelier, installing low-voltage track systems, and placing torchieres around a room. While torchieres have been blamed for starting fires in the past, models today with shields are safe, says Joe Ray-Barreau, director of education for the American Lighting Association in Dallas. Don't rush to paint everything white to make your space seem larger. Experts like Landis think white walls contrast too greatly with furnishings and end up visually shrinking a room. If you insist on white, tone it down to a softer hue such as pale cream, which isn't as reflective, says Chicago decorator and feng shui expert Margaret Harris.