Instead of worrying that your small-space apartment will look claustrophobic, devise strategies such as decorating with mirrors to create an illusion of a larger area. 

(Design: Three-d Conceptwerke)

They are a great way to cleverly camouflage doors of storage cabinets, too. 

Interior designer Vanessa Ong, of April Atelier, says: “The key to positioning mirrors and reflective surfaces is to ensure they are not positioned opposite each other to avoid an infinity mirror effect. Consider surfaces such as tinted, antique mirrors for a vintage look, or satin-finished glass for a textured reflective facade.”

(Design: April Atelier)

Reflective surfaces on furnishings also help brighten interiors when light reflects off them.

(Photo: Fritz Hansen Calabash lamp in gold chrome, from $465, available at W. Atelier)

(Photo: Zanotta Raperonzolo mirror, from $1,584, available at W. Atelier)