Hilary Farr's Space-Saving Seating Design Trick Is Just An Illusion But It Works

Designing for smaller spaces can be intimidating, but "Love It or List It" star, Hilary Farr, is always up for a challenge. In Season 11, Episode 8 of "Love It or List It," Farr showed a brilliant way to create the illusion of more space when she remodeled a cramped older bungalow for a growing family. By using acrylic chairs, Farr was able to make their relatively small dining space seem far more open and airy, and much better for socializing and entertaining. 

Despite being one of the major interior design choices Nate Berkus says to avoid, acrylic furniture has long had its fans. Not only does it allow natural light to pass though, but it's also easy to move and to clean. The ease of cleaning acrylic furniture is especially helpful for families with young children, making it ideal for Farr's clients.

While acrylic furniture is often associated with the 1960s and 1970s, when it was at its peak in popularity, it can be styled in a variety of ways. It fits in very naturally with mid-century modern decor, but it can be used in a variety of other aesthetics as well. Farr's choice to go with clear dining chairs works perfectly for making her clients' dining space feel less crowded, but you can also use this acrylic furniture trick in other areas of your house, such as by purchasing an acrylic coffee table (like this option from NEJHC) to brighten up a cramped living room.

Of course, you aren't confined to only using clear acrylic either. While it is perhaps the most versatile option and lets through the most light, you can also find acrylic chairs and other furniture pieces in a variety of colors. Additionally, many mixed material furniture pieces exist, which use both acrylic elements and other materials. Many of these, like the MSOBAIW Velvet Acrylic Chairs, are fascinating statement pieces that can show off your personal style in addition to making your space seem larger and less crowded.