There’s nothing wrong with compact, efficient homes. In fact, as purchase prices and energy consumption become bigger issues, the demand for small homes continues to grow! Here are some cheap and easy ways to make your charming little home look more spacious and airy.
1. Declutter
If your rooms are crammed with furniture, bric-a-brac, and just stuff, you need to decide what you can sell, give away, or put into storage. Remember, clean and simple looks much roomier. Leave lots of open spaces in each room, especially in the corners.
2. Go with Glass and Metal
Heavy, dark furniture sucks up space. Instead, choose furnishings in metal (which reflects light) and glass (which appears to take up less room).
3. Remove Doors
Create longer sight lines by removing the interruption of unnecessary doors. Obviously, this doesn’t apply to doors in bathrooms, bedrooms, or closets.
4. Remove Heavy Drapes
Either leave the windows bare or cover them in sheers. This brings in more light and helps extend the feeling of spaciousness into the great outdoors.
5. Raise Curtain and Shower Bars
Hang them as high as possible. This creates the illusion of higher ceilings and more space.
6. Avoid Contrasting Colors
Having all your rooms a different color feels chopped up and small. Lots of contrasting colors and patterns in furniture and artwork do the same thing. Instead, paint all your rooms the same color, and keep your decor to a single palette of shades. This works with bedroom linens too: think fewer colors and patterns, and fewer pillows.
7. Remove Most Artwork and Rugs
Vast expanses of empty space make a room look bigger.
8. Add Mirrors
If you must have something on your walls, make it a mirror. They can double the apparent size of a room and reflect light for added brightness.
9. Turn Up the Lighting
Put the brightest possible bulbs in all your fixtures. Dark, shadowy rooms feel claustrophobic.
Additional Tips:
Maximize Vertical Space: Use tall bookshelves and cabinets to draw the eye upwards and make ceilings appear higher. Keep the top shelves minimal to avoid a cluttered look.
Use Multi-Functional Furniture: Choose pieces that can serve multiple purposes, such as a sofa bed or an ottoman with storage. This reduces the number of items in a room and makes it feel larger.
Keep Walkways Clear: Ensure there are clear paths through each room. This not only improves flow but also makes spaces seem more open.
Opt for Larger but Fewer Furniture Pieces: Instead of several small pieces, select a few larger items. This reduces visual clutter and gives the impression of more space.
Making your home look bigger doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With these simple tricks, you can create a more spacious and inviting atmosphere that will appeal to buyers. If you have any questions or need more tips on preparing your home for sale, feel free to reach out to us at Ideal Lending. We’re here to help you make the most of your home!