Queer Eye's Bobby Berk Spills His Clever Trick For Making A Small Room Look Bigger
Whether you're renting a place or don't have the budget to renovate, a small room in your house can be a major annoyance. A room on the smaller side can feel claustrophobic, cluttered, and even closed in depending on the amount of natural light it receives. Enter Bobby Berk, an expert on all things in the interior design world who's best known for his work on Netflix's "Queer Eye." When asked about how to make a room look bigger without a major renovation, Berk's answer was simpler than you may have thought.
"I always recommend mirrors," the design expert revealed to Homes & Gardens. "When you don't have any more space, you can create the illusion of space. You can see forever through them and reflect light around your room." Using mirrors to make a space look bigger isn't a new thing. The trick works by causing natural light (or artificial light sources) to bounce around a room, causing the eye to think a room is larger than it actually is. However, though decorating with mirrors to enhance a room is relatively easy, there are a few things you should know before going out to buy the first mirror you see.
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Firstly, you need to choose the right kind of mirror and hang it correctly. In the same interview with Homes & Gardens, Bobby Berk shared, "You can hang a really good-sized mirror with a Command strip. I would opt for a full-length mirror and introduce multiple of them if you wish. That will instantly make your space look much larger. I know that it's an age-old trick, but it really is legit." While Berk recommends Command strips, you can use any strong hanging strips to position your mirror. This is also a renter friendly option, as you're not drilling into the wall.
Not only will they make a room appear larger, but mirrors will add visual interest to a room, too. In a blog post on Berk's website, mirrors were listed as one of the ways to liven up a room. Berk writes, "A few well-placed mirrors (especially oversized ones) can not only fill wall space but make the area feel quite a bit larger than it was before." A good way to add flair to an otherwise minimalist design, a big mirror isn't just practical, but also makes a space instantly look more put-together. The next time you're thinking about renovating, add a mirror to your small room instead — you'll be surprised at the difference it makes.