So your apartment/condo/townhouse/fill-in-the-blank is a tad small. OK, maybe it's even tiny. While we don't have to contend with NYC-like apartment dilemmas - where a mere 400 square feet can easily run you more than $1,000 a month - Rochester still has its fair share of studios, galleys, and shacks. Whether you can't afford a bigger place or you simply prefer cramped quarters, some simple tricks can make your micro-apartment appear more macro. With some creative color coaching, some light enlightening, and a lesson in minimalism, you can go a long way toward stretching your space.

Living color

When it comes to tricking the eye into seeing more space, a little paint can go a long way. While dark colors on the walls may seem more intimate, they actually tend to make a room appear smaller. Your best bet is to create a monochromatic color scheme, sticking mainly with shades of white, says Carol Urtz, owner of Pittsford interior design firm Carol Urtz and Associates Interiors.

"Whites and off-whites reflect light and make small spaces seem larger by allowing the eye to roam uninterrupted around the room," says Urtz. "Second best are cooler colors, like blue, lavender, and green, which seem to make walls recede."

Another color tip to give the illusion of extra space is the 60-30-10 rule. Choose a dominant color to cover 60 percent of your space, mainly the walls and larger furniture; a secondary color for 30 percent of the space, for smaller pieces of furniture and larger decorations; and 10 percent for an accent color, generally for rugs, pillows, and smaller accessories.

Let there be light

Here's a good rule to follow: a well-lit room looks, well, roomier. If you have a big picture window, keep the blinds open, because it visually removes the barrier between your room and the outside, creating the appearance of more space. If you don't have a nice view, consider putting some hanging plants around or outside the window.

As for window coverings, keep it simple. "If you keep window treatments sleek instead of frilly, it will lend a suggestion of space," Urtz says.

When it comes to artificial lighting, consider either track lighting (ceiling-mounted lights along a track) or recessed lights set into the wall or ceiling; you can add ample light to a room without using up any of your limited floor space. Concentrate especially on lighting the corners of a room, which decrease the appearance of space by marking a room's limits. Even shadows can eat up your space if you let them lurk, so place natural and artificial lighting effectively to eliminate them.

Cut the clutter

Now it's time for the lecture: more stuff equals less space, so work on downsizing any unnecessary furniture or decorations. Sure, it's a lot easier to say than do, but a little cleanup can go a long way.

"De-clutter and minimalize," says Joan Schultz, associate for Urtz. "You can even store half of your collections or things away and rotate with the seasons if necessary - less is best."

If you have a big CD collection, consider transferring all your music to your computer or iPod and then sell your discs. Buy multi-function furniture: use a chest filled with papers, photographs, and magazines as a TV stand, or buy a bed with room for storage underneath. Above all, never underestimate the space-saving power of bracket-mounted shelves. They take up absolutely no floor space and can be used for a variety of items, from books and DVDs to photographs and knick-knacks.

Devil in the details

When it comes to adding those "little touches" to your place, don't overdo it. If you've got too much going on in too little space, it will look crowded. For example, one large painting will look better than a bunch of smaller pictures.

If reducing what you have just isn't cutting it, there's always magic, a.k.a. mirrors. While it may sound utterly tacky (and downright '80s) to hang a wall of mirrors, there are ways to do so tastefully.

"Mirrors create delightful illusions of space where there is none," Urtz says. "Try a row of mirrors along one wall or a screen made from mirror."

Musical chairs

The real space-filler, however, is your furniture. While it may sound counterintuitive, your best bet is to keep all of your furniture a couple of inches away from the wall.

"It actually gives dimension to the room and makes it appear like a larger space," Schultz says.

Also be careful to keep all walkways clear of furniture. Not only do obstructions make a room hard to navigate, the view into the room will also look cluttered and uninviting. Vertical furniture is a good idea, because it takes less floor space and directs the eye up rather than over. If possible, place your furniture at an angle to increase space - the diagonal line is the longest of the room.

When it comes right down to it, you'll only be happy with the space you live in if it fits your personal style and taste.

"People spend too much time worrying about making a room look larger," Urtz says. "It is more important to make it look good than to make it look big."