And there is room for more

SPATIALLY YOURS

From optical illusion to colour schemes and fine art, there are  plethora of ideas that can be implemented for a more spacious-looking living space. It is all a matter of right scheme of colours, furniture arrangement and smart lighting, so that your space won’t feel so cramped. To make your room look spacious, the key is to look for the right elements. Sample these few ideas, before you plan your living room arrangements.

Say no to clutter

The worst thing you can do to your space is fill it with too much stuff. It could be furniture, props or accessories. It makes the room cramped. Limit the number of accessories to avoid the cluttered feeling. Collect few selected things and organise them. With things neatly arranged and out of sight, the space that is in view will look orderly and open.

Arrange your furniture in such a way that it occupies less space. The trick is to angle it right. Place large, heavy pieces against the wall and lighter ones (like a low table or open chair) in front. Keep the walkways free and let the floor be seen so that room will look larger.

Choose soft, light hues
It is a known fact that light colours make a room look bigger and brighter. Light and brightly coloured walls are more reflective of light, making a space feel open and airy, which helps maximise the effect that is already being created by natural light.

Remember dark, warm colours make a space feel cosy and intimate, while light, cool colours make a space feel open and airy. For the illusion of a larger room, use a light colour scheme for walls rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white are all good for giving a spacious look.

Experts suggest painting your wall trim and moldings in a lighter colour. When you paint your moldings light, they say, wall appears further back, making your living room appear bigger. Cream colours and icy blues are just a few of the best colour combinations that can convert a tiny interior into a seemingly bigger living area.

A monochromatic colour scheme also helps. Use a monochromatic colour scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. Select different shades and textures of a single colour.
Coordinate the colours

Contrasting colours tend to break up space. Pieces of furniture are less interrupting and tend to blend with the space if they’re made to match the wall colour. A glass table keeps the appearance of a open and free space. This allows light to filter under the furniture, making the room appear airier.

Keep upholstery plain
Pastel colours are easy on the eyes. If you coordinate light-coloured walls with upholstery in pastel shades, it will look even better. Select plain-coloured upholstery for furniture instead of bold prints or stripes. Also stick to neutral tones if you can. Fabric should be light as sheer fabrics to allow light to pass through window treatments, bed skirts, table covers and furniture slipcovers.

Let there be light
Any room will look larger if it’s well-lit, either by natural light or artificial lighting. French windows give a feel of spaciousness to the room. They provide more natural light. Get rid of heavy draperies and open up the windows to let outside light into the space. If you do not have a lot of natural light, you can add some creative lighting effects. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. Skylights and solar tubes are natural alternatives for adding light to a room.

Place smart mirrors
Wall mirrors help in visually increasing the size of the room. They not only reflect images, but also light and colour. If you are a little more experimental, use mirror tiles to mirror an entire wall. Your room will appear to double in size. You can also put a large-framed mirror on a wall or stand an over-sized framed mirror against a wall.

You’ll get the same room-enlarging effect as a mirrored wall, but with more style. The space and the light will be reflected for a more open feeling. Placing a mirror near a window to reflect the outdoors is especially effective. You can also use mirrored cabinet doors to make spaces feel large and uncluttered.

Avoid too much art
Fine art lends a great aesthetic taste. However, showcasing too many small paintings or art pieces all over the walls makes rooms look smaller and congested. It is better to have one or two life-size three-dimensional landscape painting on canvas. Scenery gives a lot of depth to the wall. One large painting works better than a group of small paintings.

Opt for white
It is said that the floor and the ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls of every room. Having a stark white ceiling or floor is an international trend that is catching up in India. The easiest option for a white floor is marble. There is a variety available out there, so feel free to experiment. For a bit of warmth, lay out a soft rug. As for the ceiling, white is usually right. A light-coloured flooring such as light oak with a light-coloured carpet makes the room appear brighter and more open.

Go multi-functional
Select multi-functional pieces in your room. For instance, a dining table that folds into a coffee table or a sofa that can double up as a bed, trunk or an Ottoman with built-in storage to keep your reading material in. Use an expandable dining table, folding tables and nest of tables, which can be tucked away when you don’t need them.