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17 Inexpensive Ways to Make Your Apartment Seem Bigger

If you are a student living in a small dorm or just someone who has a small apartment, making the most of a small space is hard.

If you have a small place, it can easily feel restricting and cause you to feel claustrophobic. If you live in a studio, using your space wisely is even more imperative. Studios are meant to take up as little space as possible. In typical studios, your bed and your kitchen are usually just a few feet away from each other. However, nothing is wrong with studios or small apartments if you know how to maximize the space you have.

Making your apartment seem bigger than it really is takes some work, but it is possible if you know the best ways to decorate and organize the space. There are several tips and tricks that you can use to make your small apartment feel spacious. For more information on how to maximize space, using windows to make your apartment feel bigger, furniture tricks and more, refer to the sections below.

Windows

The first few tips for making the most of the available space in your small apartment involve using your windows. Your windows play a huge role in making your apartment look bigger.

  1. Optimizing Windows. When trying to make your small space look bigger than it is, do not place furniture in front of the windows, as you do not want to block the windows. They are essential to letting in natural light and can draw the eyes upward. It is important to take advantage of any natural light in the room because it opens up your space. Position your furniture somewhere so that it complements the windows.
  2. Sheer Drapes. Another tip is to get rid of dark drapes and curtains. Darkness drowns out light, and this is not something that you want to do in a small apartment. Leaving your windows uncovered is the best option, as it shows the natural landscape of the room. If you need some form of window coverage, invest in drapes that are sheer. Sheer drapes will give you an airy feel that still respects your privacy.
  3. Matching Drapes. If you are purchasing drapes, another way to make your small apartment seem more expansive is to match the drapes with your walls. When your walls and drapes are the same color, your place will look bigger.

Furniture

You may not be aware of it, but a large part of why your apartment looks small may be your furniture. The key is to redecorate your rooms by making your furniture work for you, but if it is in the wrong place, it just makes the entire apartment look small.

  1. Raised Bed. One reason that your bedroom may seem smaller than it should be is because your bed is close to the ground. If you have the money, try investing in a bed with long, narrow legs. This gives the bed height without giving it an outsized presence in your room.
  2. Multifunctional Furniture. If your living room is looking overcrowded with seating, chances are it is time to minimize the amount of furniture in the room. Multifunctional furniture is a key player in making a room seem bigger. Start looking for an ottoman that doubles as both a storage unit and a sitting area.
  3. Furniture Space. Sometimes all your living room needs is a quick reorganization. The claustrophobia you are feeling in your living room could be fixed with a simple adjustment. If your furniture is against the wall, move it away from the wall. You may think your furniture being pushed against the wall is creating more space, but when some pieces of furniture are angled and have more breathing space, it makes the room appear bigger.
  4. Statement Furniture. Having statement furniture is also a good idea. Having a focal point piece like an armchair will allow that area to look more open, especially if you keep it uncluttered.
  5. Opaque Furniture. Glass tables and clear chairs are popular. This is good news because both of these pieces fool the eye into thinking that there is more room in a small space than there is.
  6. Matching Furniture to Walls. Your apartment can also seem bigger if you have furniture that matches the walls. Play up those pieces by bringing them front and center.
  7. Mirrors. If you do not have any mirrors in your living space, you should add some, as mirrors can make any room appear bigger. Adding mirrors is the fastest way to make your living room or bedroom appear larger. Look into a floor-to-ceiling mirror if you want to add a lot of space.
  8. Circular Mirrors. If you are not ready for a floor-length mirror, buy different sized circular mirrors and place them all on one wall to create a statement wall.
  9. Removable Furniture. It is a good idea to invest in furniture that can be configured and tucked away when not in use. This creates more space because the furniture can be pushed away.

Color Schemes

The color scheme of your apartment plays a huge role in how big it appears. Bright colors can look nice, but they usually make your room appear even smaller.

  1. Neutral Palette. Opt for a color palette that is neutral. This will visually expand your apartment. If neutral colors are too bland for you, try a throw blanket or pillow with bright colors to offset the neutral walls.
  2. Rugs and Fabric. Another way to expand a small space is to choose rugs and fabrics in plain colors. If you have to choose a print, make sure the print is small.
  3. Painting Trim. After you have chosen a neutral color for the walls, you can go even further by painting the trim and details of the room a different shade of the same color. White and off-white are perfect for making a room appear bigger than it is.
  4. Arrange Books. If you have a bookshelf in your apartment with a lot of books, arrange the books by color. This is a fun and simple way to make the apartment look larger and more intriguing. This idea will create a streamline effect.
  5. Shelving. Other types of shelves can also make your apartment appear larger. Make sure to arrange the items on the shelves by color and height to create a less cluttered area. The shelf will appear streamlined and show off your unique personality.

If you need help picturing what your room will look like with different colors, try a decorating app. These can help you test out your redecorating ideas beforehand so you can settle on the best one.

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