Create the Illusion of Space With These 6 Essential Tips
Even when you live in an upscale apartment or small house, it can sometimes feel like you’ve joined in the tiny home trend with the limited square feet you have to work with. Just because an abode has limited square footage doesn’t mean you have to live like there’s no room for anything. All it takes is a little creativity and these six tips for making a space-challenged home feel bigger.
1. Make Light Your Friend
Natural light makes any space feel naturally bigger. This means access to windows — preferably large ones — is a necessity. While artificial light is acceptable, it still won’t achieve quite the same feel as natural light. When possible, leave the windows bare, or at least pull back the drapes to get the full effect.
2. Use Coverings to Make Windows Look Bigger
While it is ideal to leave curtains off windows to allow in more light, strategic placement of coverings can make a room feel taller or wider. This is more easily achieved when installing a curtain rod just a few inches below the ceiling. Get a rod wide enough to hang curtains or drapes in such a way so as to frame your window to appear bigger than it actually is.
3. Strategically Space Out Your Furniture
It might seem like common sense to jam the furniture against the walls when space is limited, but the opposite is actually true. Pull couches and chairs off the walls by a few inches to create the illusion of additional space. Scaled-down furniture can also make an area appear larger. Use tables and other pieces that can break down by removing leaves, and space everything out. If the spacing leaves you with empty corners, consider filling a corner with an accent plant or floor lamp.
4. Use Mirrors
Mirrors can easily make a space look almost twice as big as it really is. It’s common to see mirrors in entryways, but they can just as easily be hung in a living room. The glass itself doesn’t have to be particularly ornate or large. Just carefully choose where to hang it so as to create the greatest illusion of space.
5. Install Cable Railings for Stairs
Stairs offer an easy way to make the most use of a tall space, but thick railings can make a room feel closed off. Instead, use cable railings to open up the area and let in more light. Cables are thinner while maintaining strong and firm support for climbing or descending the stairs. They also easily allow for maximum use of natural light in the home.
6. Get Creative With Storage
All of this furniture and décor leaves some wondering where their belongings are supposed to go. Get creative with storage by using floating shelves on the walls or furniture with multiple functions. Couches can just as easily hide a fold-out bed or storage boxes beneath the cushions. Install drawers into the steps of your stairs and use multi-tiered end tables or storage ottomans. Make as many pieces as possible serve double-duty with décor and function.
Don’t Limit Yourself
Even when you’re working with limited space, creating the illusion of a larger area is quite simple. Apply these six tips to make any room of your home look and feel considerably bigger.
