Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s glamorous ex and interior designer Dara Huang reveals her 5 top tips to make your home look bigger

• American interior designer Dara Huang, 40, has revealed her top design tips
• READ MORE: Who is Dara Huang? And why is the American mother of Princess Beatrice’s stepson, Wolfie, bidding for fame on a Channel 4 reality show?

Interior designer Dara Huang has revealed five shape-shifting illusions to help maximise space within the home.

Dara, 40, from Florida, who is mother to Princess Beatrice’s stepson, Christopher Mapelli Mozzi, known as ‘Wolfie’, is a Harvard-educated architect.

The mother-of-one was once engaged to Edo Mappelli Mozzi in 2017 after the pair met in 2015. One year later, they had their son.

She has since established herself in her creative field and even featured as a judge on Channel 4’s property programme, Big Interiors Battle.

Dara, who has worked on projects including the Tate Modern Museum in London and the Tribeca skyscraper in New York, has revealed five tips and tricks to enhance your humble abode.

Dara Huang (pictured), has revealed her top tips to maximise and brighten space within the home 

During winter, staying in becomes the new out, meaning more and more people prefer to spend time at home.

That’s why the interior designer has recognised the importance of making the most of every space within the home.

Through utilising simple tricks, Dara has outlined how to make the most of each area of your home.

She said: ‘The key to switching up your space is all in the detail.

‘It’s about clever adjustments, from multi-functional furnishings that flex your inside look, to other décor pieces that put a fresh twist on colour schemes and cleverly curated arrangements, for space-shifting illusions.’

From multi-functional furniture to furniture with extra storage, Dara reveals all.

In particular, the interior designer highlights the benefits of mirrored furniture to create the illusion of extra space.

Here, FEMAIL reveals Dara’s shape-shifting tricks and tips for creating a comfortable living space.

The Harvard-educated architect is also mother to Princess Beatrice’s step son, Christopher Mapelli-Mozzi, known as ‘Wolfie’ 

Dara has established herself in the world of interior design, and even starred as a judge on a Channel 4 property programme called Big Interiors Battle 

1. Hidden compartment furniture 

Visual trickery is at the heart of Dara’s tips, and mirrored surfaces can be an excellent way to create the illusion of more space 

Space (or lack thereof) can become an issue at Christmas when more people than usual are crammed into your home. 

To combat this, Dara has highlighted the importance of optimising a given area with hidden compartment furniture. 

For example, tables that moonlight as bookshelves and stools that double as side tables.

Or ottomans with hidden compartments and wall clocks with hidden interior shelves.

These features provide extra storage without compromising on space. So, when the house gets a little more busy during the festive period, surplus belongings can be cleared away to create additional room.

And when the house is less busy, items can be placed back in their original spot like nothing ever changed.

This easy trick also helps keep the home tidy and can even help individuals hide things best kept private, all without taking up extra space.

2. Reflective furniture 

Reflective surfaces, including tables, mirrors, and vases, will reflect indoor and outdoor light to create an airier space 

Next, Dara highlighted the use of reflective surfaces in creating the illusion of a bigger space.

Instead of one mirror, why not add two?  

It’s not just mirrors that can help create this illusion, but also vases, sculptures, and picture frames. 

By adding these furnishings, both natural and indoor lights are reflected across the room, making a brighter space.

Implementing these pieces creates an illusion that the room is bigger by playing with light and shadows, according to Dara.

Mirrored tables and side cabinets will do the trick nicely too, reflecting the light on its surface to visually expand the space. 

With a whole host of trendy reflective furnishings on offer, this is an easy and accessible way to enhance a living space. 

3. Multi-functional furniture 

Dara highlighted the use of multi-functional furniture, including a television that doubled as art (pictured) 

Dara also gave a special mention to multi-functional furniture. In particular, a television that can transform itself into art.

A television can often feel the focal point of a room, especially a space on the smaller side.

When it comes to interior design, they also make it tricky to increase feng shui.

That’s why Dara suggested a multi-use television, such as Samsung Frame TV, which can double into gallery artwork when turned off.

4. Change home accessories with the seasons 

Dara also suggested to switch furnishings with the seasons. In winter, she advises pieces with more texture 

During Christmas, many typical home furnishings get replaced with seasonal pieces, from tablecloths to bedding and kitchen utensils.

And according to Dara, that’s one of the simplest ways to keep your space feeling fresh.

For autumn and winter time, Dara advised furnishings with more texture and a holiday-specific motif.

So when it comes to picking out festive pieces for the home, opt for soft furnishings with added embellishments.  

Rugs can also make a huge difference to a living space, making it cozy and warm but also appear bigger. 

For those looking to increase the feel of their room, Dara said a rug with neutral colours is the safest option. 

When it comes to spring and summer, switch it up and opt for light materials, such as linen.

5. Focus on the windows 

If a living space seems small but has a beautiful view, then worry not because Dara has revealed an easy hack to maximise the space.

Simply direct every piece of furniture to the centre of the room, and the space will feel greater in moments.

Making the most of the view is a no-brainer, and turning all the furniture to the centre of the room increases the fluidity and brings attention to the main attraction- the view.

By making the windows the focal point, the view will quickly become part of the room, not only creating the illusion of added space but making the most of what matters.

Source: Read Full Article