How to Create the Illusion of Space
If you don’t have the space, fake it. Even small rooms can seem spacious if you know some tricks of the trade when it comes to organizing and decorating your home.
– Avoid oversized furniture, which will take too much space and overwhelm the room. Instead, stick to a few pieces that impress because of their design and color, rather than their size.
– No knick-knacks everywhere. Souvenirs, small decorative objects with no useful purpose and clutter all make a room feel smaller. To fight that, clear the room of anything that serves no purpose and then choose high-impact details, such as a nice framed picture and a porcelain vase, to personalize the space.
– Repaint the walls if you can. Lighter colors create the illusion of space (a white ceiling, for example, would seem higher than a dark one). If you can’t repaint because you’re renting, replace the curtains and rug for a new, lighter version and then other touches of soft colors, as a throw placed on the sofa or a new comforter in pastel tones.
– Move the furniture away from the walls. Even a few inches of separation will create the illusion of air and space.
– Think vertical. Tall furniture and storage spaces give the impression of a more open room. Rather than a low, chunky dresser, choose a tall, thin wardrobe. This will open up more floor space and make the place feel less cramped.
