How to Open Up Your Living Space
Are you dreaming of an open floor plan, but whoever originally designed your residence decided to put a lot of walls in the way?
We hear you! At Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling, we often encounter this issue with our home remodeling projects. In fact, one of the most common complaints we hear from clients coming to us for help is that their home feels closed in or cramped.
The good news? There are several things you can do to open the space and make it feel a whole lot more inviting. Here are seven of our favorite ways to create a living space that feels more open.
#1: Use Color & Paint to Your Advantage
If making a big change is out of the budget, consider using color and paint to your advantage. Choose colors that are lighter and brighter to make the room appear less dark and closed off. It doesn’t mean, however, that you’re stuck with grays, whites and pastels. There are a ton of colorful hues that can make your living space feel larger. Another tip to make spaces look bigger is to paint the ceiling and walls in the same shade, preferably in an eggshell or satin finish with semi-gloss on the trim and doors.
#2: Add More Windows
Another alternative to make your living space appear larger and more open is to add more windows. Whether this means all new windows, a set of fantastic French doors, or a new window seat, there are plenty of options to let in natural light and ensure your room appears larger.
In turn, your living space will feel a lot less cramped. Worried about the fishbowl effect? The right window coverings can prevent this from occuring. Our interior designers in the Twin Cities, can help you select the perfect window treatments for any room in your home.
#3: Find Creative Ways to Create Different Areas
If your space seems closed off due to half walls or other design mistakes, then you might need to consider how to create different areas in the space. For example, you could use bookshelves, shades, or other items to separate areas for varying uses.
This is also a tip you can use if your room feels too open and you need to create division. Envision how interior designers can turn an old warehouse into a modern, chic loft with distinct living spaces by strategically using furniture and décor.
#4: Reconfigure Walls and Cabinetry
If your floor plan itself is causing the space to appear cramped, then it might be time to reconfigure walls and cabinetry for a better layout. Of course, you’ll need someone who knows the details behind a renovation project like this—especially if there’s a need to change plumbing, electrical, or HVAC to accommodate the change.
While those fun home improvement television shows can make knocking down a wall look easy, the truth is that they’re professional contractors who’ve likely called an architect before demo day to ensure they aren’t damaging a load-bearing wall. Again, this is one option you’ll want to leave to the professionals.
#5: Reduce Bulky Furniture
In some instances, what can keep you from enjoying a more open vibe in your living space is simply your furniture. If your sofa or other item is too bulky for the space, it might be time to switch things up.
The good news? We can help you find the perfect custom furniture in Minneapolis. Our team regularly works with some of the best furniture designers and brands in the area, meaning we can find the pieces that work best in your space. This is a great option if you don’t want to go through the hassle of a remodel, but still want to make a few changes to your home.
#6: Think About How You Use Space in Your Home
If you’re looking to open your living space, it’s a good idea to start by thinking about how you use space in your home. Is there a room that you don’t use much, such as an extra bedroom?
If it is located off the main living area, you could consider tearing down the wall between them to create one open space. Or you might tear down a wall in a secondary bedroom to create a bigger master bathroom and closet. For example in our Adventurer project (pictured to the right), a Prior Lake, MN renovation which included a main floor remodel and kitchen remodel, we removed the wall separating the formal dining room and used that space to create a more open floor plan. The point is, when you consider how you want to use a space, know that it can be redesigned to suit your needs.
#7: Don’t Forget About Storage
Sure, the idea of knocking out a wall closet sounds like a way to really open your floor plan. But how are you going to replace that storage? This is one area where excited homeowners can forget that they have stuff that needs a place to live when the remodel is complete.
Instead, consider how you’ll make up for lost storage space. For example, you might opt for an armoire or custom cabinetry to take on additional storage.
Let Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling Open Your Living Space
Opening a cramped floor plan or small living space doesn’t have to be difficult. With these tips, you can transform your home into a comfortable and livable place for your whole family. Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling would be happy to help you create an open living space that is beautifully yours. From custom furniture and window coverings to interior design and home remodeling, we do it all from concept to completion. Please contact us today to schedule an interior design consultation appointment for your next project.
