CLOSET MAGIC
We share so many designer tips and tricks to add functionality to your closet here on the blog, that today I wanted to take a look at some of the visual tricks we like to employ in our designs! Every client is looking for that “wow” moment when they step into their dressing room, and some spaces lend themselves to more dramatic designs than others. No matter the size of the space, there are a few designer tricks we keep up our sleeves to employ in smaller spaces that really make an impact! Here, I’m sharing some of my favorite tricks and illusions to make your closet feel larger! Not only can great organization calm the chaos of the closet and create a beautiful sanctuary, but these stylistic choices will instantly elevate your space, and make the closet feel so much more expansive! Who doesn’t love a little extra room to breathe?!
MIRROR DOORS
Mirrors are a great, functional part of any closet design! However, if employed thoughtfully, they can also help to create the illusion of a larger closet! Often, I like to have a mix of exposed and enclosed hanging space in the closet. Adding mirror to wardrobe doors and walls to frame the space will automatically give the illusion of more square footage! Without the fun-house effect of an entirely mirrored closet, having some open hanging to reflect in your mirrors will create the sensation that the hanging extends forever into your space!
CABINET BACKS
Another great trick to draw the eye into the closet, and expand the awareness of space, is to line the backs of your cabinets with a contrasting material! Maybe a mirror, fabric, or wallpaper treatment… This will add layers of depth to the space, making it feel as though the walls are the true perimeter of the space, rather than feeling confined to the interior space between the closet cabinetry!
WALLPAPER CEILINGS
Another great trick of the eye in a smaller closet is to add pattern to the ceiling! Regardless of size, this will instantly draw the eye up and give the illusion of more height in the space. Choosing the right scale of pattern for your space is important! Stick to patterns with smaller repeats if you’re papering a more modest area — this will visually expand the ceiling area, and therefore, the overall closet!
LED BACKLIGHTING
I love LED backlighting in a closet — not only does it add ample amounts of ambient lighting, it helps to create the experience of a luxury boutique! I like to use this most frequently in shoe / bag display areas, but really you could install it anywhere in a closet! When lit, they provide a soft ambient glow to the back of your cabinets, making it feel as though the space is endless!
HIGH GLOSS FINISHES
It’s often said that you should opt for lighter colors in a closet to make the space feel larger. I would argue it’s more about the sheen of the finish than the actual color! One of the many tricks of reflective paint finishes and glass-fronted cabinets, they bounce light around all over the space, and keep the eye moving around much like the illusion of a wall-mirror!
