In an ideal world, we would all like big spacious rooms in our homes with lots of scope for creating trend-led, inviting spaces.
However, unfortunately the majority of us are limited by the amount of room we have available and therefore need to rely on clever design tricks in order to maximise our space.
Whether you are looking to totally transform your home, or just want to inject a couple of fresh touches for the new season – it is easier than you think to make your home appear bright, spacious and airy with some savvy interior styling - from making the most of natural light, to choosing the right colour palette!
Here to provide some helpful hints and tips on how you can improve a room, whatever its size, is Carey Pinder from leading homes e-tailer Kaleidoscope:
Mirror, mirror on the wall
“It’s well known that putting mirrors up in your home is an easy way to make any room appear larger and more airy. By reflecting the light, mirrors really help to open up the space – instantly adding depth. Choosing a mirror without a heavy frame will enhance this effect even more, so try opting for designs with intricate details. To take this a step further, you could also invest in mirror furniture such as end tables or a chest of drawers, which will help increase the illusion of light and space even more.”
Top tip: Place mirrors in darker areas of rooms to bring light to every corner.
Fifty shades of beige
“Dark colours can easily make a space feel small. Avoid this, and keep your home feeling fresh and bright by opting for neutral and airy tones which will help bring ‘light’ into a room. Remember to keep the colour palette soft with whites, beiges, light blues and greys to maximise the space. You should also complement this with similarly toned rugs and carpets to fit in with the theme and further increase the illusion of space.”
Top Tip: To give the impression of having a high ceiling, try painting it a lighter shade than the walls to draw the eye upwards.
Crystal Clear
“Styling your home with key transparent pieces will help make your rooms appear less cluttered. It is a simple concept, if you can ‘see-through’ certain items of furniture then your space will feel much more open. Glass tables, storage units and tableware are perfect to help achieve this effect.”
Top tip: Voile curtains are a better alternative to thick, opaque styles as they will not block out light or take up too much wall space.
Be Storage Savvy:
“Clever storage solutions are a must for any room with limited space. Bonus points if you can find a multi-purpose item - a footstall that can act as a coffee table or a stool, which has additional space inside.”
Top tip: An Ottoman with storage is the perfect place to store out-of-season throws or extra bedding for a foldout sofa.
Raise it up:
“Adding the perception of height to your room is a great way of making it seem like you have a larger space. The best way to do this is to draw the eye up with standout pieces such as bold paintings and statement lighting.”
Top tip: Tables and chairs that are set on legs will also elevate the room to help create a more spacious environment