Most of us would love to live in large, spacious homes, but with home prices constantly sky-rocketing, few of us can afford to do so, especially in the early stages of our career.

Here's how you can make the most of your living space, and trick others, and yourself, into thinking your home is much larger than it really is!

Low ceilings
Does your ceiling look like you can reach up and touch it….
while lying down….
on the floor… ?

Well, these days one wouldn't be surprised, when you consider the spiraling real estate costs. Instead of wishing things were different or being content with what you have until you can get something better, work on making the most of this. First, something's got to be done about that low ceiling.

Paint it in a light colour, such as white. When painting the ceiling, extend the white paint to around 6 inches down the walls, or give it a white moulding. This adds to the height of the room.

Next, paint the walls a few shades darker than your ceiling, and let the floors be the same shade as the walls, or a few shades darker.

Selects wall lights that throw light upwards, to give a further illusion of height.

Draw attention to the floor by investing in carpets or in colourful floor rugs. Also, go in for low seating. Large, colourful floor cushions look bright and attractive. Place these cushions around a low table, just a few inches of the floor, and you have a wonderful low seating area.

Paintings
Hang paintings or pictures with a vertical orientation to make rooms look longer, and with a horizontal orientation to make them appear wider. However, too many paintings can look cluttered, especially if they are not well hung or are hung too close to each other and start titling, so be particular when stringing and hanging the panting. Consider taping small paintings lightly to the wall from behind. Don't compromise on the framing, as the picture may then look tacky. You could get simple framing, but make sure the finish is good and the frame is solid.

Mirrors
A large mirror makes can make your home look larger, is cheaper than a large painting (and looks just as good), so place a large mirror against one of the walls. If you have a narrow wall that needs to look broader, consider placing a bright painting on the narrow wall, and a full-length mirror on the adjacent wall. This will double the narrow wall and give the impression that two paintings are hanging there instead of one. Another great way to work with mirrors would be to place a large one opposite your widows. This instantly increases natural light, making your apartment brighter.

Chiks
Instead of investing in fabrics for drapes, consider using 'chiks' on windows. They give a large, airy and tropical feel to the place, look great, and are far more inexpensive than curtains. Also, let the top of the chiks start from just below the ceiling. This also adds to the illusion of height.

Paint
Paint one wall a different colour from the others, but make sure the colours compliment each other. This adds to the feeling of depth in a room.

Now, the next time you go apartment hunting, don't be discouraged by the size that fits in your budget. Remember, you can do wonderful things with something small, so go for it and put your creativity to the test!