Creating Spaces: Create a Spacious Illusion to Restricted Condo, Loft and Apartment Living

Trendy apartment, condo and loft living come with an array of luxuries: being able to call your landlord instead of a plumber and relying on lawn service rather than your green thumb. One of the most common complaints, however, is lack of space. With a little creativity and manpower, you can transform your studio-size space into a roomier place.

Create Depth
One of the simplest ways to create the illusion of space is to create the illusion of depth. Celebrity designer Vern Yip advises using the depth technique to make a room look longer. ?If you?re trying to make a room feel larger than it is, the wall opposite your entry point should be one shade or even a quarter-shade darker than the other walls,? said Vern. ?To the human eye, they may appear to be the same colors, but it gives the illusion of depth because it is a bit darker.?

Create Height
The same technique can also be used to create height. ?The color of the surface you?re standing on should be slightly darker than the four walls in that room,? Vern says. ?The opposite holds true for the ceiling. To create more height in a space, paint the ceiling a quarter of a shade lighter than the walls.?

Another simple technique for creating height is to strategically hang your artwork. Instead of hanging photos at eye-level, move them up a few inches. This will instinctively draw the eye upward to the ceiling. Or, try hanging curtains several inches above the actual window, creating the illusion of super-tall, floor-to-ceiling windows.

Reflect Light
Mirrors are a timeless tradition and create the illusion of space. They come in varying shapes and sizes, are relatively inexpensive and can instantly brighten and lengthen a room.

If you have a small wall, for example, adorn it with alternating shapes and sizes of mirrors in consistent rows and columns. The look will make your room appear twice its size. You can place a mirror at the end of a hallway to make it seem longer. Better yet, add mirrored strips to your furniture - such as dresser drawers - for a savvy, yet subtle look.

Create Separate Living Areas
According to Vern, bound carpet and surged rugs are an easy way to create separate living areas within a loft, such as living and dining areas. Eliminating the openness of these spaces creates a cozier atmosphere in your home. ?STAINMASTER® carpet is available in a huge selection of bound carpet and surged rugs to fit your décor and add interest and color to your living space,? he says.