Every time you walk by it, you cringe.

“Just keep the door shut,” you say to yourself. “Out of sight, out of mind!”

Unfortunately, leaving the space to its own devices may not be the best plan of action. Why waste the space, however small it may be! Figuring out what to do with that teeny-tiny spare bedroom can be tricky. It’s small, it’s cramped, it’s uncomfortable – or is it? Play a trick on the eyes: you can expand the room visually using these decorating tips.

DON’T use too many patterns. You want to create the illusion of space and serenity. Choose one piece as the focal point, one piece with a bold pattern. Then, mix quieter complementary neutrals in with it. The room is crowded enough without all that pattern conflict!

DO use a feature wall. This wall can even act as your room’s focal point. Be sure to leave the other walls a neutral color, or it may become too busy. You can use paneling, wall paper, or paint your own feature. Using darker colors or fades are a plus, as the give the illusion of depth.

DO use mirrors! Speaking of the illusion of depth, mirrors work wonders for expanding small spaces. This is a well known trick and for good reason. Mirrors are a sleek and tidy way to add a lot a of visual space.

DO think vertically. Use that wall space! Attach lamps, shelving, or any other creative storage solution. There are a lot of creative ways to address small spaces, but you know your room best! If the room has a really unique shape, you can hire a contractor (like Alair Homes) to help you build some creative storage solutions.

DON’T under decorate. In a small space, you may be tempted to keep it overly simple. Less stuff does not always mean a less crowded space. Don’t sacrifice design for space or the room will feel dull. Incorporate design elements that you would normally, like rugs, pictures, and drapes. This will help it to feel cozy, comfortable, and well-decorated.

DO copy small space style. Small boat decor has come up with some amazingly creative solutions. You can also look into small New York City apartment decor and hotel decor. Take their advice in the use of throw pillows, bedding solutions, and scaled-down luxury. You can keep your little room gorgeous and cozy! Make it a place to escape to.

DON’T use small window treatments. Drapes fitted exactly to the window will make the room feel smaller and more congested. If you’re going to do it, go big. In fact, doing a large window treatment instead will make the room look a lot bigger. Install rods close to the ceiling and arrange curtains so that they cover only a small portion of the window but a huge amount of the wall.

DO choose space-saving furniture. Under the bed storage baskets? Stacking bedside tables? A bench that doubles as a shelf? Embrace it. Use it. Love it. Not only will these pieces be useful, but they’ll also help you fill up that space without wasting any of it. Find modern space-saving pieces that are simple and complement your current room decor.

DO have fun with it! Let your decor be a reflection of you. Using these tips, you can beautifully design your small room into a cozy little getaway. No more hiding from it; instead, you can hide away in it.