5 Ways To Make Your Home Appear More Spacious

Small homes can be cozy, comfortable, and full of charm. But, unfortunately, living in a small home can feel a bit claustrophobic. If you have plenty of living space but your home still feels closed in, you may need to think about creating more visual space. There are several ways you can trick your eyes into seeing your home as more spacious without increasing the square footage of your home.

1. Cut out clutter

First things first. The easiest way to make your home look larger is to put fewer things into it. While decluttering is a good first step, how you store things is just as important as how many things you have. Whenever possible, stow items in neatly-arranged drawers, closets, or storage furniture. Crowded tabletops and cramped kitchen counters not only look untidy, but they also make rooms feel smaller. Get rid of anything that isn’t adding value to your life and ensure that everything you own has an assigned spot. Put things away as soon as you use them to prevent clutter from building up.

2. Create an open floor plan by removing a kitchen wall

You likely spend loads of time in your kitchen. Between making coffee, packing lunches and cooking dinner, and cleaning it all up, much of the work of caring for a family and day-to-day life happens in the kitchen. Unfortunately, in many homes, the kitchen is a small, enclosed room that feels disconnected from the main living spaces. The good news is, in many cases, you can create visual space in your home by removing a wall from your kitchen. By taking out a wall between the kitchen and the dining or living room, you instantly give your home a more spacious, airy feel. You may also be able to create a more on-trend kitchen layout by replacing the wall with an island. Even better, removing a wall lets you interact with your family while cooking.

3. Maximize your windows

Natural light plays a major role in making a snug home feel spacious. Even if you only have a few windows, how you dress them can make a big difference. Blinds and heavy curtains might provide privacy, but they can also darken a home and make things feel more closed in than they should. If you need blinds, commit to opening them during the day to let sunlight stream in. Rather than opaque curtains, opt for sheer drapes and hang them at ceiling height. Even if you have petite windows, sheer floor to ceiling curtains will add the illusion of vertical space and allow the maximum amount of light in.

4. Decorate with mirrors

Incorporating mirrors into your décor can be a beautiful trick for making a small space appear larger and brighter. To make the most of this visual trick, try hanging a large mirror in a small space, such as a hallway or powder room. Mirrors help to reflect light and bounce it around the room, so hang to take advantage of light sources. Try hanging a mirror directly across from a window to reflect beautiful views and to reflect the sunlight. If you have a beautiful light fixture or chandelier, position a window to increase the drama.

5. Commit to a large piece of wall art

Size matters when it comes to filling your walls with art. While wall galleries, featuring small mix-and-match frames are trendy, they can make a room feel smaller and more cluttered. If you are considering options for decorating a large wall, skip the collection of petite items and opt for a large piece of art. Hang artwork at eye level, so that ample empty space remains above the piece. Black space above a sizeable piece of art creates the illusion of higher ceilings and adds to visual space.