Most of us would love to have more space in our homes. An extra bathroom, an additional bedroom or office, bigger kitchen or maybe a garage addition. But, all of those things carry with them a a hefty price tag and require some serious planning. Luckily, there are some tricks you can utilize to create more room in your home through effective storage. In addition to maximizing the storage capacity of your home, you can add the appearance of more space with some savvy design work. If you have a room in your house that feels tight, confined or claustrophobic, there a design concepts that can make the room feel much more spacious than they actually are.
Here’s a few suggestions.
There’s a strong correlation between color and are emotions. Don’t believe me? Close your eyes and try and pinpoint the precise feeling or memory you have for when you hear the following colors: blue; red; yellow; green; black. When you see these colors, that feeling or memory will be even more clear.
That logic carries over to staging a room. For most people, light colors will give the appearance and feel that a room is bigger than it is. Think about the last time you went to the doctor. Were the colors and tone of the room bright or dark? Bright. They do this so patients feel comfortable and relaxed in the otherwise very small room. Light and bright walls are more reflective, which is why our minds perceive the rooms open and airy. Dark colors, on the other hand, tend to absorb light, making a room look shrink. That is why many restaurants dim their lights, to make people that are eating feel closer to their guests and enjoy a more intimate experience.
Try adding some soft tones to the room you’re working on. You can do this both by painting, and by the colors of the decoration you have in the room.
Most rooms allow you to invite some natural light into the room you’re looking to grow. The best way to do this is through a window. Try finding some soft-colored blinds that allow light to fill the room. The natural light will reflect around the room and make it appear larger. Window view a sight for sore eyes? Try placing a tasteful book shelf near the window or some plants. Some decorative distraction in combination of the blinds will help the aesthetic of the room while maintaining the natural light. If you do not have a window, or have a window that doesn’t invite much light into the room, you can add some creative effects using lighting fixtures. Try and have your light sources fill as much of the room as possible. Floor lamps that feature multiple, adjustable bulbs are a great way to accomplish this. P
Another great way to keep your room from feeling like the walls are closing in on you is to keep your room tidy and organized. There’s nothing that makes a small space feel cramped more than having too much stuff, whether that’s furniture, art, plants or simple clutter. A cluttered room equals a smaller room, whereas an organized room feels more open. Less is more when it comes to creating space.
Also be wary of the type of art and pictures you choose to don on your walls. The more eye-grabbing the piece or picture, the more you’ll focus on it, and feel like the room is smaller. You also don’t want to have pieces competing for attention. One trick to decorating a small room is to create a focal point. That may be a piece of antique piece of furniture, a table, a record player, or even a television. Identify the focal point and accent the rest of the room accordingly.
Mirrors are a cheap and easy way to give your room a larger appearance. Use a focal point and angle your mirrors toward it to give the illusion of depth. Mirrors also amplify the reflection of light, which we learned earlier does wonders for a room’s spaciousness. Mirrors bounce light deep into the room, making it appear larger. Placing a mirror near a window to reflect the incoming natural light is especially effective. Don’t feel tied down to only using hanging mirrors. Glass tables and reflective counters or dressers can add the same value.
Furniture can be bulky, and at times can be the source of your claustrophobic feelings in a room. To avoid that, use multi-functional furniture, such as a chest that doubles as a coffee table, a bed with attached drawers for storage, or a footstool that can store away blankets. If you’re working with a room that requires tables on occasion, consider stow-away tables that can be folded and placed in a closest easily.
Place larger pieces of furniture such as beds and sofas against the walls to maximize the open space. Placing a bed in the center of a room will make the room feel shrunk as the room’s depth will take a big hit. When positioning your furniture against the walls, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not obstructing walkways or sitelines. If furniture and accessories block the view into a room, it will look cramped. By moving furniture out and away from walkways, you’ll open up the space and make it feel larger.
By executing these five design tricks, you’ll open up your room and enjoy it far more than when it felt cramped and small. However, some rooms are simply too small. Maybe you’re looking to convert your basement into a movie theater, or a spare room into a home gym. No matter your remodel, Harkraft is here to help. Contact us today and let us know what your remodeling goals are, and we’ll let you know how we can help you make them a reality.
