You don’t need to renovate your home to maximise space.  Having a small space does not mean it has to appear small.  All you need to do is create a focal point, and the rest of the work is done for you.

1. Contrast & Colours

Contrast and colours play a major role in the appearance of a room.  Simple colours, such as pastel shades of blue and cream make a room appear bigger.  The trick with contrasts and colours is an optical illusion.  Zespoke recommends using bright colours to help open and expand a room.  To master the art of optical illusion, you need to know how to reflect light instead of absorbing it.  Natural light creates many different effects, and bright and light colours are the best to use to maximise open space.  To make your living room appear larger, make sure to use soft tones. Other than this, you can get the most out of your living room by focusing on the mouldings and wall trim.  The wall trim and mouldings should be a lighter colour than your walls.

2. Opening Space

Natural lighting is the key to success when you want to open space within a room.  If you have large windows in your home, use them to maximise the amount of natural light your living room receives.  Large windows provide a connection between the inside and outside of your home that gives the illusion that your living room is larger than it actually is.  During the day, windows should not be covered.  If you want privacy during the day, you can use sheer curtains.

3. The Mirror Effect

Mirrors can work wonders for your home if you place them correctly.  When you use mirrors as the focal point, your living room appears larger.  Mirrors reflect artificial and natural light.  To get the best effect, place mirrors near windows to reflect the outdoor scene.  To help create an open space illusion, use glass table tops and mirrors.  Mirrored cabinet doors will help with an open space illusion.

4. Flooring, Walls & Ceilings

Flooring is an essential aspect of creating the optical illusion of space.  The worst thing for a small space is clutter.  Small spaces look great even when there is little to no furniture present.  It’s difficult to create an optical illusion when the room is cluttered with furniture and other objects. The first thing you need to do is keep the room clean and tidy so you can see the floor.  If you are a fan of art, it’s better to have one big painting rather than five or six small paintings.  The last thing you want is a “busy” living room.  A busy room has more than three or four objects demanding attention.  The most attractive area of the living room should be the focal point.  You need to arrange the room so the attention of the room is directed at your chosen focal point.

5. Arranging Furniture

Furniture is another aspect you need to consider when you are creating space.  Multi-functional furniture is best.  This type of furniture offers a place for you and your guests to sit while serving other purposes, such as a bookshelf.  A small living room does not need a lot of furniture.  A long sofa and a chair will suffice.

These are 5 focal point ideas that maximise space for your living room.