How to Make Your Apartment Feel Bigger

How to Make Your Apartment Feel Bigger
Cathy Hobbs
5/1/2015
Updated:
4/23/2016
Light colors, simple designs, and plenty of natural lighting can open up a room, helping it to feel more spacious.
Light colors, simple designs, and plenty of natural lighting can open up a room, helping it to feel more spacious.

While city living is synonymous with tight spaces, this doesn’t mean that you have to settle for a room that feels like its closing in around you!

Thanks to modern designs, and the growing popularity of minimalist, and space-saving furnishings and décor, making the most of a somewhat small space is easier than ever. With a few simple techniques –your apartment can feel roomy, spacious, and more open.

View: <a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/furniture/desks/channing-desk/7208.html">Channing Desk</a>
View: Channing Desk

Lightweight Furniture

For smaller rooms, lightweight furniture is always a good idea. Shorter furniture is also ideal as this will make your ceilings look taller. Consider purchasing furniture with no arms as this will help the room flow better with fewer obstructions. When you purchase coffee tables or end tables, look for tables that have skinny legs, and glass tops. The less bulky an item is, the more room you will have –and the glass tops will allow more light to flow through the room –creating the illusion of more space.

View: <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/18421113/Murray-Feiss-Transitional-Wall-Mirror-X-MGA4911RM-contemporary-wall-mirrors">Murray Feiss Transitional Wall Mirror</a>
View: Murray Feiss Transitional Wall Mirror

Mirrors

Mirrors are multi-purpose. Not only are they functional and decorative, they also create the appearance of space. Mirrors also reflect light –which helps to brighten a room. For a smaller room, look for large mirrors with minimal framing to create the appearance of a bigger space.

View: <a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/lighting/table-lamps/porter-column-table-lamp/18721.html">Porter Column Table Lamp</a>
View: Porter Column Table Lamp

Plenty of Lighting

Finally, open up the room by ensuring that there’s plenty of light. Take advantage of natural light, and opt for lightweight and light colored window treatments instead of heavy, bulky curtains. If you don’t have a lot of natural light, look for light fixtures and lamps that aren’t too bulky or heavy to increase light and open up the space.

Keep in mind that opening up a room isn’t just about making space, it’s also about creating visual space.A classic example of this would be opting for a glass table, instead of a traditional wooden one. While both tables may occupy the same amount of square footage, the glass one allows for more visual space in a room, opening it up and creating the feeling of more room.

Remember to LIKE Cathy Hobbs, Interior Designer on FACEBOOK, and Follow Design Recipes on TWITTER for more design tips and inspiration.

Top Image: www.jonathanadler.com

Original Post: Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes 

5-time Emmy award winning television personality Cathy Hobbs (ASID) is the founder and creator of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes™. Cathy currently hosts her own self-branded design television series, Design Recipes, airing on the top rated “PIX Morning News” on WPIX-TV in New York City. Cathy was a finalist on Season 6 of HGTV's Hit Reality Series "DESIGN STAR and most recently served for a year as the green expert for “The Life Improvement Squad” a national campaign with IKEA and O Magazine.
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