With its ability to make a compact apartment feel spacious, open concept living is becoming increasingly popular with HDB homeowners. However, not everyone has the luxury to sacrifice rooms to make way for an open plan. Here are 6 alternatives to the open plan that will make your home look and feel larger.
Keep it in the (same colour) family
Take note that contrasting colours tend to break up a space, so keep all of your decor close to the same colour family to give your room a more open and cohesive look.
Image credit: Amara
Mirror, mirror
Mirrors are the quickest and simplest way to make a room look and feel larger. Not only do they reflect light, they also help in reflecting the view, in turn tricking the eye into perceiving more space.
Image credit: Space Define
Mind the gap
Furniture is all about proportions. If an item brushes up against your walls, it will look too heavy and weigh down the overall look of the home. As such, always make sure to create a sense of roominess by leaving a little gap in between the sides of your furniture and the walls.
Image credit: Fleetwood
Keep it minimal
In order for a space to feel open and airy, there needs to be minimal clutter. So, keep things simple. Whether with art, colour or knickknacks, stick with just a couple of pieces or group them up so they read as an installation or a feature wall.
Leave windows uncovered
Ditch heavy curtains and leave your windows uncovered, as seeing the landscape outside will trick your eyes into thinking that your home’s got more depth. If privacy is an issue, consider using shutters or sheer white drapes to keep prying eyes out while still maintaining an airy feel.
Image credit: Studio FortyFour
Adopt a light colour scheme
While dark colours are design-friendly, they make a room appear smaller. Instead, opt for light colours such as plain white, cream or pale grays that will keep your space airy and open.
This was adapted from an article originally published in the August 2018 issue of SquareRooms.
