1. Simplify Your Life
Chairs that rarely get sat in, knick knacks that just collect dust, picture frames that haven’t been updated in years, old toys, neglected books – they all have one thing in common: They’re take up precious real estate in your small home.
You don’t want a home that is completely empty, but clutter is the fastest way to crowd your space. Take some inspiration from this lovely, minimalistic room from I See Cubed. If you don’t need it, rarely use it, and don’t love it, get rid of it.
2. Get Clever with Organization
Even the most simplified homes face clutter issues if they’re disorganized. DIY Cozy Home will have your brain whirling with clever ways to “hack” storage space in your home.
For example, if you have a garage, get the storage totes off the ground and put them on custom rafters in the ceiling. Look for slide out storage bins that hide between your washer and dryer to store laundry and cleaning products or other clever storage items that hide behind cabinet or basement doors. Some people even turn their staircases into drawers or bookcases.
3. Look for Furniture That Doubles as Storage
A storage ottoman like this one over at This Old House is a stylish way to keep the clutter at bay and make a room feel bigger. You can also look for coffee tables with hidden storage and beds made with drawers in the bottom frame to maximize your space.
4. Use Fewer Pieces of Larger Furniture
People often assume that because a space is small, that means it will need small furniture. But that’s not always the case. Using fewer pieces of large furniture not only helps to make a room feel grander than it is–it’s usually more efficient, too. An oversized pallet sectional is a fun DIY project that provides more seating and is far less awkward in a small space than a small couch and a chair.
5. Use the Cantaloupe Rule
A good rule of thumb to go by is to avoid decorative accents that are smaller than a cantaloupe. According to styling expert for Target Sabrina Soto says that they crowd a room instead of decorating. This design from Décor Chick opts for fewer items that help fill the space rather than a bunch of smaller things that will just add disarray.
6. Let There Be Light
Take advantage of every square inch of natural light that you can get. Dimly lit spaces close off rooms instantly. Keep the curtains open as much as possible and off to the sides of the windows rather than in front of them to help widen the space for light to come in.
If you have nice windows, you can opt for no curtains at all and invest in some blinds that you can open all the way during the day, filling your room with light and the illusion of more space.
7. Floor to Ceiling Curtains
Another way to utilize windows to make your home seem bigger is to use them to trick the eye. Hanging curtains from ceiling to floor like these draws the eye up and helps create an elongating effect, making a cramped space feel much taller instantly.
8. Place Mirrors Strategically
Mirrors help create an optical illusion of more pace in a room by cutting off the closed-in feeling of walls. Mirrors are great to add natural light in rooms that don’t have a lot of, too, because they help to reflect the light around the room. You can mount them, use large floor mirrors in corners, or hang art in glass frames.
9. Keep the Walls Light
The old wives tale that light-colored rooms look bigger than darker-colored rooms? That’s no wives tale. It’s true. Keep the walls light shades to make it appear as spacious as possible.
10. But Don’t Be Afraid of Color
Many people assume that painting walls light or white colors means that it has to be boring. But that’s very far from the truth. You can fill your space with color by choosing a color combination that works for your furniture and then using it strategically with rugs, curtains, accent pillows, vases, flowers, and art.
11. Be Selectively Bold
If you’re bored by your light walls and small space, don’t be afraid to go bold. The trick is just to not go overboard. Pick one grand statement piece in a room to display. It could be a colorful and oversized painting, a geometrical rug, or fuchsia-colored curtains. Guaranteed your room will be instantly modernized and eye-catching, but your restraint elsewhere will keep it classy and tasteful.
12. Take Advantage of Any Nooks
Remember how Harry Potter’s aunt and uncle made him sleep in the cupboard under the stairs? Well, they weren’t exactly the best guardians but they definitely knew how to maximize space. There are all kinds of nooks, crannies, and corners around your home that you can utilize
13. Consider Barn or Pocket Doors
Ditching doors and walls might help open up some space in your home, but it isn’t usually practical. But that’s where barn and pocket doors come in handy. You’re able to keep them open to create a better flow through your home but then you have the ability to close it back off as needed. And since they don’t have to swing open, they take up less space. They also add a unique look to a room.
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