Live in a Small Place? An Interior Designer’s Tips to Create the Illusion of Space

There are a few tricks that architects use to make spaces appear bigger—and you can use them too. Lighter colors best reflect light and so create the appearance of space. Shutterstock

Research shows humans don’t like being caged in, preferring to be in larger, more open spaces. And different factors—such as the shape of rooms, the color of surfaces, and the positioning and brightness of lighting—all influence how we perceive space.

These are the elements designers and architects consider when creating spaces. And there are several tips you can use yourself to make your apartment, or any living space, seem roomier.

Extending Space

If your apartment has outside views, you should use these. By facing living areas and furniture towards the window or balcony, the outside landscape becomes an extension of the inside space, increasing the perception of the room’s size.