“Reality is merely an illusion, although a very persistent one.” — Anonymous
The subtle difference between reality and an illusion can be a component of your home.
You can create an illusion of space in your home even though you have not increased the absolute square footage by one square inch. Magic…. nope, just an illusion. Or was the lack of space in the first place the real illusion? Either way, there are ways to make your home appear larger without absorbing the expense of adding a new room.
The use of monochromatic color schemes are a clever way to create the illusion of space in a home. This means that a single base color forms the foundation of the room’s color design. Various shades and tones of that color can accent the space, but there should be no other colors present. Old European castles would utilize this approach and it can even be seen in the White House.
As a rule, monochromatic color schemes are more peaceful since the human eye can more easily move around a room without abrupt interruptions by other colors. Go to a traditional color wheel and select one of the basic twelve colors and research variations of that base color.
Light and bright walls are more reflective, making a space feel open and airy, which helps maximize the effects of natural lighting. Dark shades tend to absorb light, making rooms feel smaller.
Mirrors are another way to create the illusion of space. A mirror reflects the room interior, giving it the illusion of greater size. A mirror also reflects light and can be a great way to get more natural light into a room. Mirrors create a more open feel and can even be used on cabinet doors.
Since kitchens are one of the smallest rooms in the house, a well placed mirror can develop a sense of space. A mirror in the dining room works well together with a chandelier. The mirror will reflect light and make the room feel larger and more formal.
Placement of the mirror is key to feng shui. A properly placed mirror can increase a room’s positive energy and an improperly located mirror can accomplish the reverse. One place not to locate a mirror is directly across from the front door. Better to hang the mirror perpendicular to the front door.
With a bathroom renovation, choose glass shower doors over a shower curtain, which becomes a visual barrier instead of letting your eyes take in all of the space that does exist. French doors typically incorporate glass and enhance a “line of sight” that allows the human eye to avail itself of a longer view that again creates a feeling of space.
Glass can even be part of furniture. A glass top to a dining table again allows a longer “line of sight” and even creates the illusion that the place settings are floating in air. Conversely, avoid solid, blocky furniture since they possess “heavy” visual weight.
These are just a few tricks to create the illusion of space. And as you personalize your home’s design with the illusion of space, you will also make it more interesting.
Gary Frueholz is a realtor with Engel & Volkers Real Estate, a past member of the Alhambra Planning Commission, a Certified Senior Real Estate Specialist, Certified International Property Specialist, and can be reached at 626-318-9436.
