One thing most buyers are looking for is space.  No one wants to feel cramped in their own home.  Adding square footage to an existing home is cumbersome, time consuming and (let’s not forget) expensive.  You don’t have to put a costly addition on your home to make it feel more spacious, though.  In fact, with these 5 home hacks, you can make your cottage feel like a castle.

1. Mirrors…Mirrors…Mirrors!

Magicians have been using mirrors to create illusions for hundreds of years.  They can make magic in small spaces, too.  A strategically placed mirror in a small room reflects light and opens the space up.  You can easily make a room look nearly twice it’s actual size with the right mirror and placement.

2. Oversized Curtains

Who says your curtains have to be the exact same size as your window?  Hanging your curtains high above the window gives the appearance of higher ceilings.  Similar is true for hanging your curtains further outside the width of the window.  It gives the appearance of more wall space and a longer room.  Don’t be afraid to “think outside the box” when it comes to curtains and windows.

3. Declutter

You could be in the Taj Mahal and it would still feel cramped if it’s jam-packed with furniture and knick-knacks in every nook and cranny.  Keep small spaces free of clutter.  Less is more in the case of a small space so opt for a few larger decorating pieces that create visual interest in the room.  Too many small pieces will make a space feel tight and a little too cozy.

4. Monochromatic Color Scheme

Color can be your greatest friend or your biggest foe in a small space.  Stick with one color in varying shades to make a small room feel larger.  A monochromatic color scheme will unify the room and create an illusion of more space.

5. Skip Overhead Lighting

An overhead light draws attention to one spot and highlights the lack of space in a room.  Strategically placed floor and table lamps throughout the room create visual interest, break up the space and make it seem much larger.

Everyone wants a plenty of space to call their own.  With these 5 home hacks, you can create a home that feels open and spacious without it actually having the space.  If you have any tips of your own, feel free to share in the comments section below.