8 ways to make your home feel bigger

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.

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Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
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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.

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Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas 

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.

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Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas 

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 

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. 

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Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas 

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.  

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Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas 

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.

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Stylish storage and decluttering tips from West Elm’s Vanessa Holden
How to create a chic French-inspired home
More great home decorating ideas 

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