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20 Ideas to Make Your Whole Home Feel Bigger

publishedApr 18, 2017
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(图片来源:Samara Vise)

As someone who currently has a desk-nightstand-vanity hybrid, trust me when I say that I get any and all of your small-space living woes. That’s why I’ve turned to the wise voices of the Internet to find the essential tips and tricks you’ll need to make your home feel open and welcoming, no matter what the size. Everything’s better with some support, so let’s navigate this big journey through small spaces together.

Organization

(图片来源:Andrea Sparacio)
  • Spring for built-ins.Rather than stress over finding the perfect piece, sometimes you have to accept that your custom space needs a custom solution. If you can spring forbuilt-ins(or DIY with some IKEA hacks), use this as your starting point.
  • Strategic furniture arrangement.Nothing makes a room feel cluttered like badly-placed furniture! Use这个方便的指导to see how to successfully arrange your space.
  • Pull furniture outward.Bringing furniture out from the wall helps make a room feel bigger; DIYs like thisbehind-the-couch consolemake this change functional as well.
(图片来源:Sophie Timothy)
  • Replace doors with glass.Rather than closing your room off, glass doors or open shelving draw the eye back tocreate depth. Plus, knowing your items are on display should make you extra diligent about keeping everything organized.
  • Sneaky storage.Shh, it’s our little secret. There are a ton of beautiful furniture and design options that let you keep things close at hand but tucked away.
  • Create a sanctuary.Your bedroom should be a place you’ll be excited tounwind in(while also maximizing the possible space).

Design

(图片来源:Sandra Rojo)
  • 保持颜色的光。Choosing light and airy colors for your room encourages a feeling of openness. Keeping your decor close to the same monochromatic colors will have a similar effect.
  • Use stripes to lengthen.Just like with open cabinetry,stripes帮助“延长” the room. Try it out on the walls, or (even easier) with a longstriped rug.
  • Draw the eye upward.With available shelving, build upward! Another easy trick to lead the eye toward the ceiling (and make your windows look bigger) to strategicallyposition your drapesabove and slightly wider than the window edges.
  • Face furniture toward a window.Once you’ve found the correct furniture arrangement, try to prioritize facing seating towards a window. That way no one’s left feeling claustrophobic while staring at a blank wall.
  • Use oversized art.I had always assumed theoppositeof this was true, but hangingoversized artwill actually make your room feel bigger and more impactful. Just don’t add too many big pieces, or it’ll feel cluttered.
  • Widen narrow doorways.Painting the edgesof a doorway in a contrasting color will create the illusion of having more space.
  • Check your rug size.Before you go and snag the perfect rug, make sure you’ve chosen the perfect size.This guidewill be your best friend in maximizing the space of your home.

Decor

(图片来源:Pablo Enriquez)
  • Try a lofted bed.Create instant space by getting alofted bed! You’re taking advantage of ceiling space and freeing up an area that would otherwise (probably) have junk shoved under it.
  • Choose furniture with legs.This samevisual trickworks with your furniture; choosing items with legs allow your eyes to move through them and make the room feel more spacious.
  • Play around with size.The perfect example of bigger isn’t always better: just because the furniture piececanfit in your space, doesn’t mean itshould. Test out different combinations/sizes to see what works for you.
(图片来源:Apartment Therapy)
  • Double-duty furniture.Whether it’s an ottoman that doubles as a coffee table or console that can act as a desk, picking out furniture that has more than one function is always a smart choice.
  • Bent wire can trick the eyes.Did you know thatbent-wiretricks the eye into thinking a space is bigger than it really is? Take advantage of this optical illusion and invest in some classic bent-wire furniture.
  • Or, keep it clear.Aside from just looking cool and modern, glass andLucitefurniture help visually free-up space in a room.
  • Magic mirrors.Mirrors reflect light and create depth; just make sure that what you’re reflecting is visually appealing (aka, don’t face it toward the blank side of your neighbor’s house).