How to Decorate a Half-Story Bungalow

Choose a decorating style and color scheme. For a small space like a bungalow, you may want to consider shabby chic or a beach house style of decorating. These styles embrace light colors, which open up a space from a visual standpoint as well as a casual furniture style. Bungalows are often casual retreats; a decorating style that fits this aspect of your home's personality usually works best.

Lay a large area rug down in the middle of the floor away from the walls. This area becomes your focal point. Because of how the roof is shaped, this gives you maximum floor and walking space and draws attention to this part of the room. Choosing a darker rug in a vibrant color like cobalt blue will visually anchor this area as well.

Place your couch and chairs around the perimeter of the rug. Gravitate toward lighter pieces of furniture, using throw pillows and blankets to add elements of color and pattern to the area. For example, if your decorating colors are blue and cream, find throw pillows that feature both of these colors. Mix and match the patterns like paisley, stripes and fleur-de-lis, because the color provides the visual glue between these disparate elements. Selecting decorative pieces like these also catches the eye, drawing it the center of the room and away from the slanting walls.

Select decorative accessories that won't overpower the small room. For example, a small glass coffee table opens up the space around it, because you can see through it to the floor. Other choices could include small end tables instead of bulky ones. Use free-standing easel to display artwork and pictures instead of putting them on the wall.

Keep furniture and accessories away from the wall; the exceptions are features like built-in bookcases that line the wall. These elements reach the ceiling, but since the ceiling is sloped, they're built to only rise up to where the roof meets the wall. If your bungalow does not have these elements, choose furniture and accessories like this to line the walls. Leave the larger pieces for the center of the room.

Find light, sheer curtains for the windows. This allows extra light into the room, which offsets some of the darkness caused by a slanting roof. If you need more coverage for privacy, add blinds.