7 Ways to Enhance Space in Your Home by Architect Ramiz Baig

The spaces we inhabit are truly a reflection of us.

We style and decorate them as per our needs and desires, and some just mold into our way of living. We, the Architects and Interior Designers, are the professionals who help bring your dreams to reality. Rooms come in all shapes and sizes. Architects and Interior Designers over the years have been using the following techniques to enhance the quality of a smaller space. The idea is to share those techniques with you that are cost-effective as well as do not require too much intervention.

1. Use Mirrors

Small rooms can be made to appear spacious using mirrors on at least one wall. Even using larger mirrors instead of full-length wall mirrors may be enough to visually open the space.

If you’ve ever wondered, do mirrors make a room look bigger?

Yes.

The answer is a resounding yes.

Mirrors can make your room look larger and more open. Use a focal point and angle your mirrors toward it to give the illusion of depth. Mirrors also reflect both natural and artificial light, making a room brighter during the day and night. Placing a mirror near a window to reflect on the world outside is especially effective. Mirrors on the walls and glass tabletops will also give your room a more open feel or use mirrored cabinet doors.

2. Paint a Wall with Bright/Light Colors

Here’s how to make a room look bigger with color. (Hint: It’s an optical illusion.) In the design world, it’s well known that light paint colors make a room look bigger and brighter. Light and bright walls are more reflective, making a space feel open and airy, which helps maximize natural light’s effect. Dark shades tend to absorb light, making rooms feel smaller. Accenting walls add to the decorative space in color without being too overpowered. Start your painting journey with a color palette that suits your style.

So, what colors make a room look bigger? 

For an optimum effect, go with soft tones like off-white, blues, and greens, and always remember that brighter rooms feel bigger and more inviting. And here’s another hack: Try painting your wall trim and moldings in a lighter color than your walls. By doing so, the walls will appear farther back, making your living room seem even bigger.

3. Focal point

Learn how to make a room look bigger through an established focal point.

One area or feature that will draw the eye’s attention.

In the dining room, that’s probably the table. In the bedroom, it’s the bed. Make that focal point the star of the room. Arrange the furniture so that focus is drawn to that area and keep the decor in the rest of the room to a minimum.

4. Use sliding doors

One of the most obvious benefits of sliding doors is their space-saving properties. Where hinged doors require space in which to swing open, sliding doors operate sideways. This makes them ideal for use in smaller rooms where space is at a premium, as well as for cupboards and wardrobes.

5. Window balcony

Often referred to as a balconette, Juliet’s can be defined as “false balconies” (or railings) at the outer plane of a window opening, reaching to the floor. When the windows or doors are open, the railings offer up the appearance of a balcony.

6. Don’t clutter

Keep your room tidy and organized.

Not only will it spark more joy, but nothing makes a small space feel more cramped than too much stuff. With things neatly arranged or out of sight, the space that is in view will feel orderly and open.

Minimalism also goes for your walls. Don’t cover your walls with a lot of pictures. One large painting works better than a group of small paintings when you’re thinking about how to make a room look bigger. And try to keep the floor as clear as possible. Remove large rugs to create the illusion of more floor space.

7. Furniture placement

“Using the right furniture is the key to make a room look bigger”.

For one, use multi-functional furniture, such as a chest that can be used as a coffee table, a sofa bed, or a bed with storage drawers. Expandable dining tables, folding tables, and nesting tables which can be tucked away when you don’t need them are also good picks. Keep in mind that tall and bulky furniture can take up precious space. Choose a sofa and chairs with open arms and exposed legs. This allows light to filter under the furniture, making the room appear airier.

Scale your furniture to fit the size of the room. Place larger pieces of furniture against the walls to maximize the open space and make a small room look bigger. Also, don’t block pathways. If furniture and accessories block the view into a room, it will look cramped. The longest straight line in any room is the diagonal. When you place your furniture at an angle, it leads the eye along the longer wall. Bonus: You often get some additional storage space behind the piece.

Making the most of your space can also be achieved by underbed storage or creative use of closet spaces as well. Have an empty wall? Apartment designers suggest utilizing floating shelves and other smart design options.