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[faeriemoon]

Pull furniture away from the wall to create the illusion of depth.

[x Hedge]

@AuntG, a lot of furniture, especially seating, has gotten bigger in the last half century. That makes rooms look smaller.

When I'm thinking of buying a piece of furniture, I think of the scale of the furniture that was in vogue when my house was built. That's the size that looks best in my rooms. 

[Fressa]

I have found that fewer but larger scaled pieces of furniture helps. You need to be able to see the floor space under some furniture pieces small or large. Mirrors or a glass accents that can reflect light helps. 

[phoenixbrd]

@AuntGWe are in the process of rejuvenating our home.  Our main priority is space; furniture is being removed and painting the whole house.  A sectional is being replaced by a smaller three person couch for one room.  Releasing clothing/household items from every nook and cranny....being fearless! Every small detail is being considered, from the way the vents are painted to the size of the rims on the recessed ceiling lighting. We began this process by restaining the front door.  The kitchen has been completed and just love the organization.  My husband converted a deep hole of a cabinet next to the stove into pull out shelves for spices....so creative and functional. The cabinet face looks the same, but when you open it two vertical shelves pull out and I can easily view all of my spices.  

Also in the process of painting the whole house.  The color was carefully chosen to make the space larger as well as to update and modernize the house.  It is really a beautiful combination of taupe/grey/white (greige) and three slightly different shades of this color are being used throughout the house.  The living room and hallway have been completed and it feels so fresh and open.  These two strategies have made a significant difference....feels like a new home! 

[ID2]

Get rid of all the clutter! A skirted sofa will make your room look a lot smaller. Minimalize. Hardwood floors with area rugs make any room look enormous!

[vsm]

Large mirrors!!!

[AuntG]

@phoenixbrd you are wise to have considered many things in your re-do. I tend not to do that and then look back and say "if only I had....." .

[phoenixbrd]

@AuntG  It is now our passion and my husband is dedicated and works hard at it.  This is a very time consuming process.  I have to remind him to take his time.  We are on a nine month schedule to complete this process.  I have a conference in Rome this summer and we have considered purchasing a larger home.  Instead we are doing everything here to make it as livable and comfortable as possible.  Then when we return next summer, we can reassess and sell or enjoy our tiny piece of paradise.

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@AuntG wrote:

@phoenixbrd you are wise to have considered many things in your re-do. I tend not to do that and then look back and say "if only I had....." .

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[Nightowlz]

Open your blinds, curtains on all windows to let in the light. Seeing the outside from inside makes it feel larger.

I don't use the bedskirt on our bed. I think it looks larger not having that on the bed. You can see the nice wood siderails.

Paint your ceiling a lighter color than the walls it will make the walls seem taller. Create an accent wall.

Don't paint your doors or trim the same color as the walls.

[SilleeMee]

Paint the ceiling white.

Use smaller pieces of furniture and/or eliminate some existing ones.