How can I make my small home look bigger?

Sunita Vellapally Sunita Vellapally
Saravan - The Singh's residence, Sandarbh Design Studio Sandarbh Design Studio Pasillos, vestíbulos y escaleras eclécticos
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Do you live in a small apartment or house that feels cramped no matter how much you try to declutter it? If so, you are not alone! In most of the Indian metropolises, houses are getting smaller to cope with the pressure on land. The good news is that you can employ a few tricks to make even the tiniest room appear larger, so that you don’t feel like you are living in a box.

In today’s ideabook, we have put together some tips and tricks on how to make your small home feel bigger.

1. Enlarge the space with a mirror image

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Of course, you might know about this as it is the oldest trick in the book, but it still works! It’s critical to place the mirror in a strategic location so that it appears to double to space in the room. In a tiny bedroom, using full-length mirrored doors on the wardrobes can help to achieve this easily. For instance, it can reflect a seating area or a window in the bedroom to create the impression that there is another room beyond the bedroom.

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In any small room, placing a large mirror in the upper half of a wall creates the illusion that it is an opaque partition that divides two rooms.

Get more ideas on how to use mirrors to decorate your home.

2. Invite natural light to the interiors

Natural light can create a cheery atmosphere even in the dullest space. In a small and dark house, installing large windows or skylights can help to make the home look larger than it is, besides brightening the mood in the interiors.

Windows that wrap around corners, like walls do, are another option for maximizing the natural light in the area and giving the house a sense of spaciousness.

3. Light colours

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In a small room, the use of dark or bold colours can be overpowering as they will make it feel like the walls are closing in on you. Whether it’s the wall paint, the floor tiles or the upholstery, it’s best to stick with light colours in a small house.

4. Straight lines and simple design

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Avoid ornate details in the furniture or other design features in the room as these can give the impression of the room being cramped. Instead, opt for straight lines and simple design that create the visual illusion of space. For instance, you can extend the headboard of the bed higher than usual to give a sense of increased height to the room.

5. Keep it low

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Having low furniture in the room helps to create the illusion that the ceiling is higher, so don’t think twice about getting furniture that is close to the ground. Additionally, create visual height by having the rest of the elements as close as possible to the ceiling to make the space look larger. An easy tip for this is to let the curtains hang from just below the ceiling or to have a long and narrow television panel that creates the same effect.

6. Keep it slim

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Get sofas, chairs and beds with thin legs rather than large block-like bases, which will make the space look cluttered. This increases the amount of open space under the furniture and makes the room feel airier.

7. Tall and sheer curtains

Installing curtains that drop from the ceiling to the floor helps to create the visual illusion of a larger area. However, instead of using dark drapes, choose sheer curtains in light colours as they will bring natural light into the room. Curtain fabric with vertical stripes can add to the effect.

8. Visual distraction with art

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Another well-known trick for creating a sense of depth in any space is to use artwork or wall paper that brings a three-dimensional effect. Choose the piece of art carefully, preferably one that depicts open spaces or the outdoors, to deceive the eyes into believing that the room is wider than it is.

9. Put the focus on the ceiling

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A classic tip for taking away the attention from the small size of a room is by diverting the eyes to the ceiling. Creating an attractive highlight on the ceiling is a perfect option. Innovative false ceiling designs or 3D panels can be used to draw the eyes upwards.

10. Reflective floors

Just as we recommended mirrors to increase the sense of depth in a room, reflective floor tiles can trick the eyes into believing that a space is taller than it is. Glossy tiles, whether it’s polished marble, granite or ceramic, are the best options to achieve this. Use light tones to amplify the effect.

Find out what is the best option for flooring in Indian homes.

11. Open plan design

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Walls take up a considerable amount of floor space in a small apartment or house, so eliminating them will straightway bring a sense of airiness. Additionally, having an open-plan design allows light and ventilation to flow freely through the area. By creatively arranging the furniture in the spaces, each area can have a distinct identify, without visually merging into each other.

Consult an interior architect to create the perfect open-plan layout for your home.

12. Furniture arrangement

Natural light is an essential element to lead the eyes into believing that a space is larger than it is, and the right arrangement of furniture can be crucial to maximise the light in the room. As a rule, don’t let furniture block the natural light coming in through the windows. In an area without windows, arranging the furniture against the walls ensures that it doesn’t cut into the passage space, helping to make the space seem larger and airier.

13. Hidden storage

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Clutter is an element to be avoided at all costs in small spaces, so designing camouflaged storage can make it easy to keep the surfaces of tables and counters free, enhancing the sense of spaciousness in the home.

Instead of free-standing cupboards and cabinets, design built-in storage in bedrooms and hallways, as this will give a sleeker appearance to the space.

14. Stackable or pull-out furniture

In tiny apartments or bedrooms, pull-out beds and tables than can be pushed or folded away when not in use, or even stackable furniture can help to save space and make the room looks less cramped.

15. Multi-functional furniture

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Clever design can help to optimise the available space in a small house to make it look roomier. Sofa-cum-beds are the best example of multi-functional furniture, but you can work with a professional interior designer to come up with other innovative solutions, such as desk-cum-beds or beds with wardrobes underneath, which are custom-designed for your space.

16. A touch of refreshing greenery

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There’s nothing quite like nature to bring a fresh feel to even the smallest space. Add some small plants in your home to make it seem cosier. If you feel that the plants will add to the clutter and make the space appear cramped, then you can introduce nature through wall paper or even a mural as these won’t take up floor space. However, ensure that you use light tones so that it doesn’t make the walls seem to crowd the space.

The size of your home doesn’t have to deter you from creating a beautiful environment in which you love to live. By working with a professional interior designer, you can optimize every available inch to make it look bigger than it is.

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