Make Your Space Feel Larger: Use Horizontal Lines

In a previous blog post, "Make Your Space Feel Larger: Use Vertical Lines" (click here to visit), I discussed how vertical lines can be used to create a sense of height in small spaces. However, horizontal lines can be applied to walls or floors to create a similar effect.

Horizontal lines are great for making a small kitchen, bedroom, living area, or bathroom seem great and wide. Here are a few examples:

Photo Courtesy of Fittedkitchen.org


Photo Courtesy of The Twenty Life
I love how the designer of the bedroom above used a striped tapestry or sheet of fabric to create an illusion of dept. This method is much easier than painting or applying wallpaper.

Photo Courtesy of Rosy Levi

Photo Courtesy of Homedit

Photo Courtesy of Steven Learner

Photo Courtesy of House and Home
Subtlety, subtlety, subtlety! I love it. Horizontal lines don't have to be applied to an entire wall. You can place strips within a chair rail, followed by furniture and accessories like the seating area above.

Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Photo Courtesy of Simply Seleta
If you have a small kitchen space, try using a striped floor pattern to help widen a narrow path.

Photo Courtesy of Megan Rice Yager

Photo Courtesy of Robert Rufino / Architectural Digest
The lines of the carpet create an illusion of dept in the home office above. The desk seems much farther away than it really is.


Get Creative: Use Building Materials
Wood flooring, paneling, or beams/rafters can also be applied to spaces and create horizontal patterns and dept. Here are some examples:


Photo Courtesy of Christi Azevedo
Notice how the horizontal wooden beams help to widen the space above.

Photo Courtesy of Scholtes Appliances

Photo Courtesy of Murray Mitchell

Photo Courtesy of Lundberg Design


Related Posts:
"Make Your Space Feel Larger: Use Vertical Lines"

"Decor With Patterns: Easy Tips"

"Decor With Patterns Part 2: creating a focal point"

Make Your Space Feel Larger: Use Vertical Lines

Interior Design is all about creating optical illusions and making small spaces seem larger than they appear. Consider using line if you would like to enlarge tiny living area, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen space without breaking your wallet. Vertical lines are great for visually elongating a room. When applied to wall surfaces, vertical lines can make a small space seem high and vast. Here are a few examples:

Photo Courtesy of Quito Fierro
Notice the subtle vertical lines on the walls of the bedroom above. Though the lines are very thin, they make a great impact in creating a sense of height.

Photo Courtesy of Homedit

Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Stimpson / This Old House
Do you find yourself not wanting to go through the trouble of applying stripes to all of your walls? Never fear, accent walls with vertical lines are also very effective when creating height.


Photo Courtesy of Alessandra Branca


Photo Courtesy of Jamie Creel and Marco Scarani


Photo Courtesy of Kristiina Ratia

Photo Courtesy of Shelia Bridges

Photo Courtesy of Gaser Tabakoglu



Get Creative: Use Building Materials
Go beyond using wallpaper or paint to create a sense of height in a space. Building materials such as wood or corrugated metal can also be applied to walls to create vertical lines and sense of height. Here are some examples:

Photo Courtesy of John "Johnny" Douglas Tucker


Photo Courtesy of John "Johnny" Douglas Tucker

Photo Courtesy of Lundberg Design