We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

8 ways to make your home feel bigger

Bursting at the seams? Don’t let your four walls restrict you – make your space work harder by re-jigging and reorganising, so that every inch of your home is used, beautifully

By Grace AllenPublished: 14 May 2015

Wood, Shelf, Shelving, Interior design, Fixture, Door, Hardwood, Serveware, Daylighting, Plywood,

Use every inch

Create an instant display area with this leaning shelf on an unused wall.
See more great de-cluttering ideas

Weathered oak step shelf unit, £495, oak farmhouse stool, £150, Le Bain jug, £30, natural macrame plant hanger, £67, all Graham and Green.

Like this? You'll love:
Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas

Let the light shine in

Blue, Interior design, Room, Living room, Furniture, Table, Home, Couch, Interior design, Wall,

Large glass doors and windows will instantly create a feeling of openness in a room and bring you nearer to nature with the garden on your doorstep.

Sofa, £850, tables, from £120, bowl, £45, cushions, from £25, magazine rack, £28, ornaments, from £18, and vases, from £10, all Ben de Lisi at Debenhams.

Like this? You'll love:
Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Divide and conquer

Room, Interior design, Floor, Wall, Flooring, Furniture, Home, Shelving, Wood flooring, Interior design,

Freestanding book shelves are not only useful for storage, they also do a jolly good job at breaking a room into separate areas, which creates the illusion of more space.

Batistella blog home office composition 29, prices on request, Go Modern.

Like this? You'll love:
Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas

Give your garage some love

Bed, Room, Green, Interior design, Bedding, Property, Textile, Floor, Wall, Bedroom,

Do you have a garage full of old tins of paint and tools you never use? Turning it into a room is a fairly painless building project and will be worth the investment – just make sure it is well insulated and cosy, then use as a teenage den or study.

Quilt cover and four pillowcases, £35, stepladder, £29, Kvart spotlight, £5.25, Mulig clothes rack, £6.50, Selje bedside table, £20, Tjena boxes, £4, Gunnern mirror cabinet, £30, Enudden wall shelf, £3.90, Tisdag LED work lamp, £55, all Ikea.

Like this? You'll love:
Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Make an entrance

Room, Interior design, Wall, Interior design, Flooring, Flowerpot, Drawer, Fixture, Cabinetry, Home,

If you’re lucky enough to have a wide hall, think about adding narrow cupboards and book shelves for storage – it will keep the space looking neat and tidy.
See more great storage ideas for hallways

Walls in Apella, £48 per roll, Harlequin.

Like this? You'll love:
Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas

Kitchen in a cupboard

Room, Furniture, Shelf, Serveware, Dishware, Cupboard, Shelving, Cabinetry, Kitchen, Grey,

Here is a fantastic space saving idea, which you can fit on a spare wall in your kitchen; a space for storage and a space for socialising in one.
See more space-saving kitchen ideas

Table Plus, £600, Magnet.

Like this? You'll love:
Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Throw out the bath

Room, Plumbing fixture, Floor, Architecture, Property, Interior design, Flooring, Bathroom sink, Tap, Wall,

It’s official. Wet rooms take up less space than traditional bathrooms, so are ideal for loft conversions and rooms under the eaves, where space is at a premium.

Loft-based shower room with bespoke made-to-measure glass screen, Puravida 400mm overhead shower, hand shower in white/chrome, Onyx glass mosaic feature wall, Blanco porcelain tiles 600 x 600mm, price on request, Ripples.

Like this? You'll love:
Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas

Create a chill space

Shelving, Dishware, Shelf, Cuisine, Bottle, Home accessories, Refrigerator, Meal, Houseplant, Freezer,

A cool garage is the ideal space for a well-designed larder and will give you more breathing space indoors.

Ivar 3 shelves, £160, Bekvaäm step stool, £12, Sortera waste sorting bin with lid, £9, Korken jars (clear glass), from 80p, Korken bottle, £1.75, Koncis stainless steel roasting tin, £5.75 and 365+ dry food jar with lid, £2.25, all Ikea.

Like this? You'll love:
Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas