Architectural Tricks

In design, there are many ways of making something look different than it actually is. This can be an interesting way to cover up flaws, make a design element appear more significant...or just make a room look all-around better!

Here are a couple of tips we've shared with readers of our Expert Advice column.

A detail on a cabinet door can elevate it from ordinary to extraordinary in seconds! A piece of metal grill (as pictured) can be framed and inserted into the door, or applied to the door surface. Also consider a beautiful ceramic tile framed, or a wonderful small piece of leaded glass, or...

You can cover a normal sized, off-the-shelf medicine cabinet shell with a large frame and mirror. This is a great marriage of beauty and function.

A false-transom can be framed out above a door opening that has enough height above it, which will actually accentuate a rooms ceiling height. This transom "window" frame could be filled with perforated metal or a frosted glass to enhance the illusion.

Mirrors on a kitchen back splash can help bring the outdoors in, and at the same time enlarge the feeling of your kitchen. They are also a great way to add sparkle and reflect more light back into the room!

Some pretty simple tricks to help you fall back in love with your house!