10 Ways to Make a Space Feel Larger

I am often asked by clients how to make their rooms appear larger and more attractive to buyers without having to knock down a wall. Here are some top tips to give your space more room to breathe:

1. Lighten It Up. Nothing makes a room or hallway feel more 'airy' than light and bright surroundings. White reflects light and a lovely shade of white on ceilings, trim and walls will really open up the space. My top shades are Chantilly Lace and Simply White by Benjamin Moore. I like trim to match walls and using a different finishes (semi gloss or high gloss on trim and matte or eggshell on walls).

2. Highlight the Vertical. You always want the eye to travel up so adding tall and/or vertical elements will achieve that. A tall bookshelf and pendant light fixture that will draw attention to the ceiling are great choices.

3. Skip the Drapes. Sometimes clean and simple is best. Curtains block natural light and the views outdoors. When preparing homes for sale, I often eliminate drapes completely, or at least everything except side panels, as long as they are not distracting.

4. Take Away at Least 1 Item. I cannot emphasize enough the need to EDIT your rooms. When selling, it is a must, but even when doing a room redo, I often find it best to open up the room by eliminating corner chairs or unnecessary tables.

5. Add a Floor Mirror. A caveat to the above is large, vertical mirrors. These not only give the illusion or more space but are an excellent accent.

6. Use Clear Furniture. Glass tables and desks, lucite chairs and coffee tables all provide function and design and allow the eye to "see through" them. I also like chairs and sofas with visible legs versus skirts in small rooms for the same reason.

7. Go Big or Go Home. This may seem counterintuitive but one large piece of artwork

makes a better statement in a small room than a cluster of smaller ones.

8. Bring in Nature. Plants are accents that have "see through" areas and also tie the outside views from the windows into the room.

9. Move Off the Wall. One of the first things I am compelled to do in every home is move furniture off walls to create a central layout. This draws the eye to the furniture instead of the tight walls.

10. Take Up Rugs. When selling, I often ask homeowners to remove their rugs, especially if they have beautiful flooring. In photographs, the rooms will always appear larger with sparkling floors, especially in hallways, entryways.