Transforming Your Living Space into a More Open Environment: 13 Effortless Enhancements
To maximize your living space, consider Implementing some clever interior design strategies. Experts in the field, like Alex Bass from Salon 21 and Stephanie Short Campbell from Onassis & Claire, share their top tricks for making a home feel more spacious, even in smaller dwellings.
01 of 13## Floor-to-Ceiling Drapes
One of the easiest and most impactful ways to make your home feel more spacious is by installing floor-to-ceiling drapes. These drapes accentuate the height of any room, creating an illusion of greater depth and openness. According to Alex Bass, CEO of Salon 21, position your curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible, allowing some breathing room. This will draw one's eye up and make the room feel taller and more luxurious.
02 of 13## Harness the Power of Paint
Paint is a budget-friendly and effective tool for transforming your home. To create the illusion of more space, opt for lighter hues in shades like whites, off-whites, pale neutrals, and pastels, recommends Stephanie Short Campbell, founder of Onassis & Claire. These colors will reflect natural light, making the room appear larger and brighter. You can also experiment with color drenching by covering an entire room with a single color to instantly make it feel more expansive.
03 of 13## Use Area Rugs to Define Spaces
Area rugs can be an excellent way to anchor different zones throughout your space, providing an intentional layout while creating the sensation of having more space. Properly sizing your rug is crucial, as oversized or undersized rugs can jeopardize the room's perceived proportion and coherence.
04 of 13## Add a Large Mirror
Mirrors are an age-old design trick for making rooms feel more spacious. They skillfully bounce light around the space, making a room appear both larger and brighter. Interior stylist Stephanie Short Campbell advises incorporating several mirrors in a single room, including floor-length pieces and smaller accent mirrors, which should differ in frames to create visual interest.
05 of 13## Install Some Crown Molding
Architectural details, such as crown molding, tray ceilings, or coffered ceilings, subtly draw the eye upward and bring a sense of refined sophistication to any room. Crown molding adds a polished transition between walls and ceilings, enhancing the room’s proportions and exuding an air of elegance.
06 of 13## Build Out a Kitchen Nook
Corner spaces often go underutilized. A well-designed kitchen nook, however, can effectively use these areas by transforming them into cozy and functional focal points. Implementing built-in benches, functional tables, and thoughtfully placed lighting can create customized areas for dining or working.
07 of 13## Play with Vertical Space
Drawing the eye upward through the strategic use of vertical design elements such as tall decorative items, bookshelves, or installing a fireplace design that spans the wall length, can heighten a feeling of openness in any room.
08 of 13## Extend Kitchen Cabinets to the Ceiling
High vertical surfaces often seem underutilized, giving the appearance of a space that lacks depth. Extending kitchen cabinets to the ceiling can draw the eye up, visually expanding the space and adding a sleek, polished look.
09 of 13## Transform a Closet into a Mini Mudroom
By converting a closet into a miniature mudroom, you can create an organized area for daily essentials while maintaining a minimalist design. Building in simple, functional features like open shelves, hooks, and under-bench storage allows for easy access while minimizing visual clutter.
10 of 13## Hang a Larger Light Fixture
Placing larger furniture such as a light fixture that commands attention can create a grand and polished appearance while making a room feel more expansive. As Alex Bass insists, choosing oversized furniture not only creates an illusion of space but also adds depth and texture to the room.
11 of 13## Make Use of Under-Stairs Space
Creating built-in shelving, cozy reading nooks, or transforming under-stairs areas into hidden cafes or petite office spaces can effectively utilize tucked-away areas while preserving a sense of openness and minimalism.
12 of 13## Consider a 'Less Is More' Philosophy
Embracing a mindset of minimalism by reducing clutter, selecting essential pieces of furniture, and favoring clean, neutral color palettes, can positively impact a room's perceived size and atmosphere.
13 of 13## Make Use of Pocket or Sliding Doors
Instead of relying on traditional swing doors, consider implementing pocket doors or sliding doors that free up valuable square footage. Pocket doors can be installed in any area, including pantries, closets, bathrooms, and exits, making it possible to maximize the layout of your home.
Sources:
- Baker, J. (2020, July 15). Choose the best mirrors for optimum reflection and style. Retrieved from https://www.marthastewart.com/1272452/best-mirrors
- Wood, A. (2019, April 8). 18 Design Secrets Interior Designers Use to Make Rooms Look Bigger. Retrieved from https://www.bhg.com/decorating/design/interior-design-101/make-small-rooms-look-bigger/
- (2020, May 12). How to Use Area Rugs to Create Zones, Break Up Space, and Define Areas. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/use-area-rugs-to-create-zones-1424727
- (2021, March 29). DIY Area Rug Sizing Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Size. Retrieved from https://www.westelm.com/en-us/blog/design/diy-area-rug-sizing-guide
- (2021, March 14). 11 Clever Storage Solutions for Small Spaces. Retrieved from https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/storage/small-space-storage/11-clever-storage-solutions-for-small-spaces/p01065111/
- Martha Stewart's guide suggests that using larger mirrors can effectively define spaces and make rooms appear more expansive.
- For a foolproof renovation, experts recommend balancing light colors in home design decor to create an illusion of more space.
- During a home renovation, consider incorporating Martha Stewart's advice on installing floor-to-ceiling drapes to define spaces and maximize living space.
- A 73c59b6ec5c3e2340ef23c7930b106fe approach to home design decor could involve carefully balancing the use of large mirrors for an open, spacious feeling.
