The surest way to open up any space is to take down as many walls as possible. However, doing so may not be in your budget or just be impractical with your current living situation. Here are three cost effective ways to make a home feel bigger that can be done in a weekend and don’t involve a sledgehammer.
1. Paint It White
Uniform white ceiling and walls give the effect of elongation and make the entire space feel bigger. Though black has a slimming effect on people, it turns out spaces are the opposite.
Avoid dark colored walls and furniture, as they give the room a claustrophobic feel. Why? Scientifically speaking, darker walls don’t reflect light as well as lighter colored ones. White, cream and even yellow, all have light bouncing abilities to make walls appear as if they are receding.
Of course, you can still hang darker artwork on your walls, and all of your furniture doesn’t need to look like it was bleached in the sun for 30 years. However, use light colors as often as you can to create an open, airy feel in your home.
2. Install Uniform Flooring
If your house is constructed with multiple types of flooring, it can have a closed off, compartmentalized effect. Avoid this by using the same type of flooring throughout, so you have established lines continuously running throughout your home. Long, thin lines give each space a stretched-out effect that will make the space appear bigger than it actually is.
You also should avoid anything with a pattern or square shape. You want monochromatic flooring that is, ideally, long and thin. Wood flooring elevates any room, but to use it properly in a small space, stain it a medium dark color to contrast with the lighter walls and furniture.
3. Hang Mirrors Directly Opposite Windows
A window that is covered in blinds or curtains literally closes off the room from the outside. You want light, and lots of it, to pour into a room. If your eye is allowed to travel and gaze into spaces outside of your home, your mind will wander, too. A dark, closed off room doesn’t allow this kind of mental freedom.
To further open up the space, install mirrors directly opposite of all windows. Aside from creating good feng shui, mirrors reflect light in the space from which the light travels, essentially giving you another portal to the outside world. Try to match the dimensions of your window, if possible, to further trick your brain into thinking that the room is open and easily accessible to the outside world.
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