Out & About Magazine Autumn 2020

INTERIORS

Adding an extension or knocking down internal walls is an expensive way to increase the square footage of your home – try these tricks to create the effect of more space

n The ‘cantaloupe’ rule Any trinket or décor below the size of a cantaloupe melon is additional clutter for a space and will leave a room feeling small and overcrowded. Try swapping small ornaments for fewer, larger statement pieces. n Lighters block One overhead lighting fixture can shallow out the space of a room as the light will likely be unable to reach the corners of the space effectively. Smaller light fixtures dotted around the room will not only illuminate all the space, but also create more depth. n Room within a room If you have an open plan space to work with, rugs can be the perfect way to make markers. Smaller rugs dotted around draw the eyes’ focus, so the uncovered areas appear bigger to the peripheral vision, whereas a large rug can diminish the space by taking up so much room that the rest of the area is almost invisible. Draw up a floor plan to ensure the best possible placement. n Higher up Placing shelves, picture frames and paintings higher on the walls can expand the space by making a room feel much taller. If features are positioned upwards in the space, this is where the eye will naturally go. If a room feels taller, it inevitably feels less confined. When shelves and wall fixtures are positioned low, this will drag the ceiling down, making it feel boxed-in and more cramped. n Mirror, mirror Adding mirrors to a space can be the easiest – and often cheapest – way to maximise the space of your home. Similar to using light colours on the walls, reflective surfaces act as an extender of space. To get the best possible results, place the mirrors opposite the room’s windows – this will reflect the light around the room. Placing mirrors behind objects like sideboards and bar areas will reflect the objects on top and deceptively appear to have a whole other section behind them. n Colour coordinated Flat, dark shades like navy on a wall will shrink a space. Painting the floors and ceilings in a matching lighter shade is inevitably going to soften the edges of the room, making it appear much wider and higher. Using a feature wall can be a great way of keeping light shades without compromising style, however going too dark can be stunting to the room’s potential.

Adding mirrors to a space can be the easiest – and often cheapest – way to maximise the space of your home

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