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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

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  1. Home
  2. Decorating

7 homewares hacks to make a small room feel bigger

The tips and tricks that make a difference - by Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
  • 07 Feb 2018

Interior designers have a talent at making small spaces appear larger.

When they can’t knock down walls or make structural changes to a room, they have to make clever use of homewares to create a sense of space.

Interiors insiders Athina Bluff and Amy Brandhorst of Topology recently teamed up with British homewares store Habitat to reveal their top hacks to make a compact home feel bigger.

Here are seven tips to steal for your own home.

1. Hang a mirror opposite a window

This is an easy way to reflect light around a dark and poky room, creating a sense of spaciousness.

“If you’re feeling creative, play around with different shapes or multiples to reflect as much light as possible,” Athina and Amy said.

fantasticfrank View Profile
486 likes - View Post on Instagram
Smooth as silk that colored wall - at #Midskeppsgatan new listing 📸 @annamalmbergphoto 🛠 @katiathoger #livingroomdecor #sjöstaden #scandinavianinterior

2. Continue hallway flooring

Extending the flooring of your hallway to other rooms creates a consistent look and lengthen the lines of your home. This opens up other rooms and creates the sense of a wider space.

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1,786 likes - View Post on Instagram
Livingroom in #Prentzlauerberg listing now 📸 @anna.cor #Kopenhagenstrasse #doubledoor #berlininterior #fantasticfrankberlin @fantasticfrankberlin #interiorarchitecture

3. Transparent furniture

Lots of bulky and dark furniture makes a room appear cramped and small. Transparent or open furniture creates an illusion of lightness and opens up a small space.

“Glass furniture, sofas raised on legs, skinny framed shelving — these will all help,” they said.

fantasticfrank View Profile
1,311 likes - View Post on Instagram
Almost Ice Cube at #bondegatan listing now 📸 @jockeono 🛠 @mimmistaaf #livingroomdecor #scandinavianstyle #icecube #nordichome

4. Go dark in small spaces

We traditionally think we need to open up a space by painting it in light colours. However, Athina and Amy recommend using colours like charcoals and navies to make a room appear bigger.

“Don’t feel like you have to ‘Brilliant White’ absolutely everything to achieve a sense of more space — trust us, it works,” they said.

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854 likes - View Post on Instagram
Kitchen at #luntmakargatan 📸 @jockeono 🛠 @mimmistaaf #kitchen #brickwall #scandinavianstyle #interiordesignideas #goldmirror

5. Light sources

A single light source can create shadows, contributing to a closed-in look and feeling. Instead, you should choose multiple light sources for areas including the ceiling, floor and surfaces.

“You should aim to have around 6 light sources around the room which will ‘replace’ natural daylight and flow through the space, as well as being reflected from mirrored and metallic surfaces,” Athina and Amy said.

fantasticfrank View Profile
1,579 likes - View Post on Instagram
Bedroom at #Pålsundsgatan new listing 📸 @_mikaellundblad 🛠 @katiathoger #bedroomdecor #scandinavianhomes #scandinavianinterior #deco

6. Make use of walls

When you’re limited by space, think vertical. Add floating shelves to a wall or mount hooks, knobs and lights.

“Also make use of dead space areas such as corners – adding wall mounted shelves into corners is a great way of maximising storage space,” they said.

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292 likes - View Post on Instagram
Tree at #henriksdalsallén listing now 📷 @emmajonssondysell 🛠 @katiathoger #hangers #scandinavianinterior #scandi #sjöstaden

7. Paint everything the same colour

Athina and Amy recommend that you try “painting your walls, skirting boards and door frames all the same colour.” This elongates the lines and opens up the room.

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940 likes - View Post on Instagram
Kitchen at #Stockholmsvägen new listing 📸 @annamalmbergphoto 🛠 @jessicalagerman #kitchen #lightinterior #scandinavianhome #nordiclight #scandinavianinterior
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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Small Space Ideas: Five simple ways to maximise your apartment

Small Space Ideas: Five simple ways to maximise your apartment

10 terrific tips for making a big impact in small spaces

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How to turn a wall into an entryway

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DIY Wardrobe: How to Build a Wardrobe

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{headline}

{headline}

Small Space Ideas: Five simple ways to maximise your apartment

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How to make your living room look bigger

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Small space entertaining

Small space entertaining

{headline}

{headline}

Five ways to brighten a small space

Five ways to brighten a small space

The best portable fans you can buy to stay cool this summer

The best portable fans you can buy to stay cool this summer

 Kmart launches ‘Kmart Create’ so you can now personalise home décor and clothes

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Before & after: A dated bathroom gets a modern upgrade

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Interior decorating styles: 7 types of interior design

Interior decorating styles: 7 types of interior design

Reader project: From $15 Kmart bread bin to stylish charging station

Reader project: From $15 Kmart bread bin to stylish charging station

10 of the best low light indoor plants

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