5 hacks an interior decorator has to make your small apartment seem bigger
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Many of us are working with less space in our homes and apartments than we wish we had, and far fewer of us have access to interior designers on retainer to make the most out of what room we do have.
Larger spaces create a feeling of ease, flexibility, and orderliness while anything that feels too cramped can seem suffocating and stuffy — two things that don’t make it appealing as the epicenter for the majority of your down time.
Most of us know there are some rules about "creating" more space and have an (apparently pretty incorrect) assumption that smaller furniture will trick the mind into believing our cramped studio is never-ending.
Especially when working with the confines of New York City, you start to appreciate the tricks that optimize your space. And while the majority of us find our own shortcuts eventually, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Relying on your own intuition and spatial awareness when parallel parking is still a struggle, and certainly isn't the most direct way to maximize your home, wasting your time and money in a living space less comfortable than it should be.
So we asked Kate Lester of Kate Lester Interiors to help us out with some expert advice. Below are her life hacks for creating the illusion of a larger space within the smaller one you're working with:
1. Create the illusion of more windows and extra light with mirrors:
Mirrors are a simple way of reflecting light and tricking the eye into thinking there are more windows in a space. Even better when the mirror is hung adjacent to a window and reflects the outdoor scenery!
Budget-friendly pick: Umbra Mira Wall Mirror, $80
Luxury pick: Pottery Barn Iris Mirror, $399
2. Buy larger nightstands:
The biggest misconception about small spaces is that people think they should contain small furniture. The best way to make a small bedroom feel larger is to anchor the bed with two wide nightstands. Three drawer chests are a great solution because they also offer extra clothes storage, which comes at a premium in a small apartment.
Budget-friendly pick: Hives and Honey Vintage Night Stand, $299.99
Luxury pick: Gabby Home Terrance Chest, $1,248
3. Hang window coverings close to the ceiling:
Drapes and woven shades are a great way to add softness to small space, but they can also make your room bigger! (Sort of.) By mounting them at the ceiling like we did here, it gives the illusion that the windows are taller and immediately draws your eye up. Viola! Instant height and openness.
Budget-friendly pick: Chicology Deluxe Free-Stop Cordless Roller Shade, $49.99 - $129.99
Luxury pick: Special Order Bali Roller Shades, $220 -$476
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