When you live in a small home or apartment, it can be a challenge to make it feel spacious and comfortable. But with a few simple interior design tricks, you can transform your small space into a beautiful and airy home. In this article, we spoke with two renowned interior designers, Tim Hobby of HA Modern and Candace Griffin of Candace Mary Interiors, to share their tried and true methods for making your home feel more spacious.

1. Use Paint to Your Advantage  - One of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform a room and make it feel larger is by using paint strategically. Tim Hobby suggests using shades of white and bringing two or three shades together. Keep the lighter shade on the ceiling and play with the other shades on the walls. Also, if you have crown molding and base molding, paint them both the same color to keep things clean and simple, and it will make the wall feel taller.

2. Pay Attention to Scale -  The scale of furniture is paramount when dealing with a small room or small home. Tim Hobby advises selecting appropriately scaled furniture that does not overwhelm the space. Furniture that's lower to the ground will leave more vertical space open above it and make the room feel larger. Candace Griffin adds that it is crucial to avoid overcrowding a room or not filling the space adequately.

3. Add Drama With Drapery - Hanging drapes from ceiling to floor creates the illusion of higher ceilings and taller walls, thereby elongating the entire space. Candace Griffin suggests hanging drapes just below the ceiling to create the impression of taller walls.

4. Keep Decor Consistent  - Consistency is key to creating a flow from room to room in a small home. Tim Hobby recommends using the same color palette throughout the home, as well as the same floor materials and furniture style. This will help the home flow and feel like a connected space.

5. Windows, Windows, Windows  - Adding windows to your home or increasing the sizes of existing windows is a fantastic way to make a small home feel larger. Creating more natural light for the interior of the home and increasing the view to the exterior is one of the best ways to upgrade your home while making it feel more generous in size.

6. Reconfigure the Layout -  Don't be afraid to reconfigure the layout of your home to better tailor it to your lifestyle. Tim Hobby suggests transforming an underused dining room into a media room or expanding the kitchen. Candace Griffin recommends opening up a kitchen wall to create an open concept, which is great for entertaining and can instantly make your space feel larger.

7. Expand by Enclosing -  If you have a porch or terrace on your home, enclosing it and opening it up to the interior of the house will increase your living space while also adding value to your home.

Making your small space feel larger requires a bit of creativity and strategy. By using paint, selecting appropriately scaled furniture, adding drapery, keeping decor consistent, adding windows, reconfiguring the layout, and enclosing a porch, you can create a spacious and comfortable home.