(How)can you trick your eye in to believing your space is larger than it actually is?
Carol Spiers, author of House Beautiful’s The Apartment Book – Smart Decorating for Spaces Large and Small, shares with us her top 12 ideas for making a small space seem larger:
1. Decorate with intention – haphazard décor just accentuates the shoebox effect of a small space
2. Round tables work well – They’re east to walk around and you can always squeeze in an extra chair. Plus, they often look fine if they’re off center in a wall or in front of a sofa.
3. Lateral accents expand the space – Paint your walls with horizontal bands in three related colors or several sheens of the same hue
4. Mirrors open up small spaces – Many mirrors set at different angles open up a room even more and reflect bits and pieces of things you might not otherwise notice.
5. Use small sources of light – LAmpshades that concentrate the light give the impression that a space is smaller.
6. Leave the ceiling unlit or you’ll feel it’s on your head – Several small lamps will add character and depth to the room.
2. Round tables work well – They’re east to walk around and you can always squeeze in an extra chair. Plus, they often look fine if they’re off center in a wall or in front of a sofa.
3. Lateral accents expand the space – Paint your walls with horizontal bands in three related colors or several sheens of the same hue
4. Mirrors open up small spaces – Many mirrors set at different angles open up a room even more and reflect bits and pieces of things you might not otherwise notice.
5. Use small sources of light – LAmpshades that concentrate the light give the impression that a space is smaller.
6. Leave the ceiling unlit or you’ll feel it’s on your head – Several small lamps will add character and depth to the room.
Photo taken by me at IDS West7. Use light furniture with legs – Skirted furniture closes up a space.
photo by me at IDS West8. Create perspectives so you don’t feel closed in – The view from one room to another should be intentionally composed with a smooth transition from one ambiance to the next.
9. Add interior windows – (open spaces in a wall) to allow light, air and conversations to pass from room to room.
10. Keep the eye moving – Make window treatments and walls the same colour.
11. Get rid of doors wherever you can – Replace them if you like with light curtains.
12. Go for things of good quality – In a small space everything received attention.
9. Add interior windows – (open spaces in a wall) to allow light, air and conversations to pass from room to room.
10. Keep the eye moving – Make window treatments and walls the same colour.
11. Get rid of doors wherever you can – Replace them if you like with light curtains.
12. Go for things of good quality – In a small space everything received attention.
Diane says
I love using mirrors
lisa says
I have a preference for round tables. I really appreicated teh "Make window treatments and walls the same colour" this is one I need to incorportate.
tazimd says
I love round tables, too – I always bonk my hip on straight-edged tables!
katie says
I am totally guilty of #1!!!
These are great tips – I am going to have to do one at a time! What I also like to do, instead of curtains for doors, if I have a book shelf that is just used to house boxes/bills etc. in my office, I make curtains to cover up what totally boring things are on the shelves!
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tazimd says
That's a good idea – covering a boring bookshelf! Sometimes it is best to just cover up things like that.
Aysha says
I have used mirrors in the past but the round table is a real good idea
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tazimd says
oh cool, Brett! You were a home décor pro and didn't even know it! yep, I have many-a-bruise from table edges.
Beeb Ashcroft says
These are good tips! My house is a decent size and pretty "Open", so I haven't really needed to make the space appear bigger, but I do try to utilize every inch of room. For example, my laundry room is tiny and had very little storage, so my fiance built custom cabinets all along the walls for storage. It really made the room so much better!
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tazimd says
That's a good idea for your laundry room – every bit of storage counts!
Tara Funair says
Great ideas. I am guilty of doing the opposite of almost everything to make any space in my house look bigger. I need some help 🙂