If you’ve ever watched a home buying or renovation show on television, the phrase “open concept” is probably burned into your brain. Gone are the days of choppy layouts and room-defining décor that can make our favorite areas feel blocky and confined. Today’s homeowner wants sprawling spaces that enable them (and their guests) to seamlessly slip from one part of the house to the next, particularly when the party overflows from the kitchen to the living room.
But what do you do if your home’s layout just doesn’t allow for a true open concept? Fortunately, there are some simple and easy ways to visually open up the space inside your home without the use of power tools. Whether you’re in need of inspiration for a remodel or you’re shopping for your next dream house, check out these four tips for maximizing space inside your home.
1) Opt for function over form
Just to clarify, we’re not saying here that you need to buy ugly furniture—just pieces that are versatile. The goal here is to find pieces that can pull double duty and free up space that additional furniture might take up. For example, you can replace that clunky coffee table with several smaller cubes (leather for a classic look or furry for something a little funkier). Not only will these cubes take up less space than a coffee table, but they’re more comfortable to throw your feet up on. And the best benefit of all, they can be rearranged wherever you’d like them and used as additional seating. If you’re having a party, you can even place them along the perimeter of the room to free up space for casual mingling.
2) Mirror, mirror on the wall
This is a tried-and-true decorating trick, but it bears repeating because it actually works. When strategically positioned, mirrors can make a room feel larger and more spacious due to reflection and the added natural light they provide. When you plan where to hang your mirror, look at the angles and know what you want it to reflect. If you can place it opposite a window that opens up to a beautiful green space, you’ll feel like you’re bringing the outside in. Mirrors also provide you with an opportunity to hang a statement piece that you can build the rest of your décor around.
3) Hang ‘em high and wide
In terms of the benefit delivered based on the amount of effort needed, this tip is an absolute home run. When most people hang curtains, they hang a rod that’s about the same width as the opening and hang it just above the window. But, one simple hack that can make your ceilings seem higher and your windows wider is rearranging that rod. By hanging curtains high and wide (approximately 10” higher on top and 13” wider on each side), you’ll add some drama to the room and draw everyone’s eyes up.
4) Free up the floor
One of the most significant barriers (literally and figuratively) to creating an open space is the placement of furniture. And one of the easiest ways to avoid an obstruction is by relocating furniture that’s on the ground to the wall. Depending on its size, a bookshelf can take up a significant amount of floor space and create an awkward path to get from one room to the next. Instead, swap it for one that affixes to the wall and with a thinner profile. Another good example is the wall-mount desks with a panel that drops down for use, but also folds up when you’re done. These pieces both free up floor space and can hide desk clutter.
These are just some of the ways that you can maximize the space in your home, and most of them are easy on the budget and convenient to do. If you don’t mind a little more work, painting your walls a light, neutral color—even white—can also make a room seem larger than it is. With the summer season upon us, now is the time to make the most of these tips so that your pad is party-ready.
