7 Tricks to Help Your Home Feel Bigger and Brighter

If you live in a large metropolitan area, it’s no secret that space is limited. Optimizing every square foot of your D.C. or Manhattan home typically requires some serious brain power. Whether you live in a 600-square-foot apartment or a 1,800-square-foot townhouse, here are 7 tricks to help your home feel bigger and brighter.

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Living room with exposed beams
 

1. Decorate with Mirrors

 
Decorative mirror in home
 

Decorating with mirrors is a tried-and-true way to help make your home look and feel bigger and brighter. Strategically place the mirrors to reflect the light of nearby windows and cast a subtle glow into the room. Play around with different sizes, styles, and standing mirrors versus hanging mirrors.

The mirror should brighten the space but not be too large or overpowering. If you opt for a show-stopping decorative mirror, keep the rest of the design elements in the room simple and complimentary.


2. Select Properly-sized furniture 

 
 

Furniture has the ability to make or break a space. An oversized rectangular dining table that barely fits into a dining alcove may make the space look smaller than it really is. It also minimizes the practical utility of the space. Instead, opt for a smaller circular table or a square table with a complimentary rug.

3. Reduce Clutter

 
 


Clutter has a way of making a space feel overwhelming and smaller than it really is. Invest in taking time every month to clean out the fridge, clean all surfaces, and trash things you no longer need. It’s amazing how much better your feel after vacuuming! (This Shark vacuum has over 31,000 reviews on Amazon.)


4. Optimize Storage

 
 


Optimizing storage goes hand-in-hand with reducing clutter. You’d be amazed how much of a difference something as simple as this bamboo spice rack and spice jars make. Little tickets like this vanity try also make s huge difference in your bathroom. Reducing clutter and optimizing storage help to ensure a space flows more efficiently.

5. Minimize Bold Statements

 
Statement wallpaper
 

We all love a good statement piece, but too many statement pieces can overwhelm a smaller space. With statement wallpaper trending in popularity, it is important to compliment eye-catching wallpaper with contrasting, but less busy, accents. Let the wallpaper be the star of the show.

6. Paint Walls a Lighter Shade

 
 


While darker tones have their place in helping a home feel cozy and intimate, lighter tones beautifully brighten up a space. Cream, light grey, and off-white are great options. Lighter walls also give you plenty of flexibility to incorporate pops of color and other eye-catching details.

7. Replace Carpet with Hardwood

 
 

Just as with mirrors, hardwood floors also have a magical ability to open up a space. Using the same hardwood floors throughout your entire living area creates a seamless flow. It is also a more modern aesthetic than carpet. Hardwood floors also beautifully contrast cream-painted walls. Thankfully luxury vinyl plank gives you the appearance of hardwood floors for an affordable price.

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