This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
Published on October 30, 2019, a clever article explores ways to trick the eye into seeing a space bigger than the actual one. One of the most effective options is the use of brighter colours, but there are more tricks to make a space appear larger than it is.
For instance, a small space should feel fully lived in and not underutilised. This means furnishing and decorating it with the right styles and quantities of furniture, rather than leaving it bare.
Another trick is to use glass furniture, which has a barely there property that makes it appear to not occupy space. A glass coffee table or console table, for example, will serve its purpose while remaining unseen.
Lighting is also crucial in making a space appear larger. Using different types of light to avoid shadows can make a room look bigger in daylight and smaller at night. Hanging pendant lights as low as possible and using lamps can also help to create a sense of openness.
Additionally, raising curtain rods higher and elongating the sides of the rods can make a ceiling appear higher, which in turn makes the room appear bigger and the ceilings higher.
Matching the trim, walls, and ceiling can also create an illusion of infinity by not breaking the eye. This means choosing a colour that is a close complement to the floor and then matching the trims, walls, and ceilings to create a seamless look.
Finally, choosing furniture with the right legs and colours can also make a space feel bigger. Non-blocky furniture styles, for example, can give a feel of airiness, which in turn makes the space feel big.
Lastly, going monochrome can unify the space and create an illusion of expansiveness. Picking one colour easy to look at and lightening or darkening it across the board can get interesting variants for the furniture, walls, rugs, and accents.
