5 Design Tricks That Will Visually 'Double' Your Space

August 27, 2018

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Small, petite spaces are the norm these days – but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it.

In fact, you certainly can make your home appear much more sizeable by simply employing some simple space-enhancing visual tricks! Give your home the illusion of space and bigger walking room with these design ideas. Best part? No hacking necessary.

1. Light Up

Design tricks to make small spaces look bigger

Interior Designer: N'creative

The power of lighting – whether natural or installed, can’t be overstated enough! It helps to visually expand any space and gives off a naturally warmer, fresher appearance.

Maximise the entry of natural light by applying minimal window treatments, removing obstructions from light streams, and choosing light-coloured, sheer curtains.

Interior Designer: Mister Glory

Apart from natural light, do make sure that your home is evenly lit and layered with ceiling lights as well as wall and table lamps of varying luminance levels.

2. Fit Slimmer Furniture

Slimmer, leaner furniture pieces and small spaces make perfect bedfellows!

Interior Designer: HIR Studio

Opt for sleek, skinnier furniture that take up less physical and visual space, leading to a more airy, spacious appearance. Alternatively, go for pieces with slimmer legs and wider clearances underneath to maintain light flow and reduce visual bulkiness.

Interior Designer: otherwhere studio

For instance, small, minimalist-inspired furniture with thin but sturdy metal legs are very much in-trend and fit well in modestly sized spaces.

3. Layout Matters

Whether your home is generously spaced or otherwise, it’s best to choose and arrange furniture in a way that plays off the natural layout of the home.

Interior Designer: in Him's Interior Design

In the context of small spaces, going against the layout of a room with diagonal placed furniture may result in a cramped appearance.

With open layouts, you’ll want to choose one or two large pieces and arrange it so it separates the space and carves out rooms within a large area.

Interior Designer: Pixel Interior Design

For example, a longer, rectangular dining table can act as a divider between a living room and dining space. In closed layouts, it’s better to opt for petite, sleek pieces – and all the better if they double as storage!

4. Go with Light, Neutral Hues

Interior Designer: EMCS

Deeper, darker colours can swallow space but warmer ones can have the opposite effect. When combined with natural light or even, layered lighting (when it gets dark), the result is visually spacious and airy.

Using lighter hues also combats a potentially cramped appearance that is not an uncommon look in smaller homes.

Interior Designer: in Him's Interior Design

Opt for neutrals or even lighter, brighter shades of your favourite colours for drapes, carpets, furniture and accessories, etc. when designing your tiny abode.

In addition, try to create visual continuity; it has space-enhancing powers. How to create a continuous effect? Just choose light, similarly coloured floors and walls!

5. Choose Reflective Accents

Interior Designer: Pixel Interior Design

You may already know by now that mirrors are an almost necessary part of designing smaller spaces. After all, it reflects precious light and acts like a doorway to more space; this then results in a doubling effect that is even more pronounced with floor-to-ceiling length mirrors.

Interior Designer: Space Design

However, practically any reflective piece can do the job of visually “creating” space as well. This is why it’s a great idea to use glass as (or with) cupboard doors, shiny flooring and wall tiles, even reflective materials with washable finishes i.e. metals with stainless steel finishing.