Cramped, dark, and small are typically words we don’t like to hear when describing rooms in which we spend a great deal of time, especially when referring to our homes. Since large homes with spacious rooms are not always budget friendly, buyers often feel as though they are “settling” when buying or building a smaller house. With the right team of designers, however, building or renovating smaller spaces to appear larger is no problem.
Making smaller rooms feel larger has been a design dilemma for decades. Applying a light paint color to the walls and ceiling, pulling furniture away from the walls, and using hidden and built-in storage are some of the most common ways to make a space appear larger. While these ways are the tried and true standbys, there are some other design ideas that will help you turn a not-so-spacious space into a wide open area. Let’s take a look at a few design hacks to maximize space in smaller houses.
Furniture is Key
Selecting the correct furniture is the key to making the room look and feel larger. Always make sure to leave a little breathing room between the furniture and the walls. Try using bigger pieces of furniture with exposed legs. The sofa skirt and boxy chairs tend to crowd up smaller areas, while the exposed legs bring an open feel to the space. Surprisingly, choosing smaller furniture is not always the best solution. Using larger, but fewer pieces is a great way to make the room feel grander. Multi-functional furniture, like a sofa bed or a bed with storage underneath, can also be a great way to create more space in your small room. Built-in shelving units are also perfect for taking advantage of wall space and minimizing bulky furniture.
Trick Your Eye
Simply creating the impression of expansiveness can also be a great tool to enlarge your space. Using floor-to-ceiling curtains and a strategically placed mirror can trick the eye into thinking the room is larger than it really is. This comes from thinking tall and vertical, using high-mounted elements that have a vertical orientation help expand the height of the ceiling according to your eye. Tall windows, skylights, and other forms of natural lighting will brighten up to room and assist in making rooms appear more spacious.
Create an Outdoor Living Space
Don’t let the walls limit your design. Create an outdoor living space on a patio or in the backyard to add an open-air room that adds value and space! Replacing an exterior wall with bifold doors or a folding glass wall can be a great way to open up a space. Glass walls are ideal for creating indoor/outdoor living and dining spaces that will surely impress when entertaining guests. When open, the doors create a seamless connection to a patio, deck, or pool area. When they are in the closed position, the glass walls will provide clear views to the exterior for taking in a beautiful landscape or keeping an eye on the kids.
The design and renovation of budget-friendly spaces can be tough, but with the right team of professionals, you can maximize the space in smaller rooms, and trick guests into thinking they are much larger.