An expansive skylight gives a feeling of spaciousness to the kitchen/dining area.

A long, low credenza in the living room keeps the space feeling open and airy.

The master bathroom is softly lit by a skylight. The bath, by Laufen, is sunk into the floor to maintain a feeling of space.

Fully enclosed by glass, Hiller’s kitchen and living room give the feeling of being in a tree house.

An optional headrest creates a more formal, enclosed-feeling piece.

The girls’ narrow bedroom gets natural light from a single window. White paint and furniture (accented with Marimekko print linens) keep the space feeling bright.

A floating steel staircase ties the living area and loft together. Variegated steel tubes provide graphic punch while maintaining the apartment’s airy and open feeling.

Dark tones and sumptuous fabrics create a protected and sumptuous feeling in the bedroom.

Mosaic tiles are classic without feeling staid, especially when styled with the right finishes.

In the master bathroom is a reclaimed, cast iron tub that creates the feeling of soaking in the outdoors without interrupting moments of repose.

Just a handful of slick touches keep the house from feeling too industrial. This custom wooden furniture was made locally and inspired by what Wisnu and Sundari had seen in catalogs.

Oiled oak floors, plywood walls, and a vaulted ceiling provide a light, serene feeling on the interior.

This minimalist Belgian kitchen extends its marble backsplash up the height of the wall to give the open space a greater feeling of enclosure.

Wall-mounted kitchen cabinets accentuate the feeling of space. The use of light woods and clean lines create a calming, meditative atmosphere.

The home nestles comfortably into its surroundings, rather than feeling 'perched' awkwardly atop the sloped landscape.

From the bedroom, glass and iron doors reveal the open kitchen space. Although unconventional for privacy, the glass doors enhance the feeling of an open plan.

Even the master bath fully embraces the Bondi Beach location. A large picture window and skylight create the feeling of being outdoors in this marble oasis.

Makoto Tanijiri managed to evoke a feeling of spaciousness in the interior without the closed exterior façade causing any interference.

“We wanted a palette that would express a more neutral feeling in the living, dining and bedroom areas, and a touch of color in the kitchen and bathroom areas,” says Aretio.

“Instead of confining the house’s different uses into separated rooms, they have been connected with each other, aiming at producing the general feeling of spatial expansion,” said the firm.

The living area boasts nearly 10-foot-high ceilings that impart a feeling of airiness and spaciousness. Discreet, built-in storage in the floor at the top of the steps prevents clutter from accumulating.

In order to achieve a contemporary exterior while still keeping a feeling of warmth, Martin Gomez Arquitectos chose to use dark metal, black flagstone, and lapacho wood as cladding.

Once inside, natural light serves as an important material layered amongst its solid counterparts. Wood ceilings sit slightly pulled back from the walls to create a feeling of expansiveness.

In an apartment in Hong Kong, the bedroom sits on a raised floor that contains storage beneath. The Japanese-inspired cabinetry keeps the bedroom feeling fuss-free and simple, but the storage spaces are still accessible without needing to lift up the bed.

"The importance of this outdoor connection was a very high priority for the clients," O'Brien explains. "They wanted the boys to be free, but wanted to keep an eye on them without them feeling like they’re being monitored."

Sævik compares her house to a contemplative hideout. “It’s very quiet,” she says. “You can concentrate and let thoughts fly.” Her favorite summer pastimes include reading, painting, drawing, yoga, and “just sitting and feeling the forest,” she says.

Another peek from the garden, through the trees. The extensive use of glass gives the addition a feeling of openness and makes it appear to float.

“Lighting design is really important. There is something about valance lighting that creates a feeling of expansiveness. Not only is it beautiful and sexy, but it kind of tricks the mind into a feeling of more space,” says Latimer.

This light, airy, state-of-the-art kitchen sits at the front of the home, looking into the living area. Gaggenau appliances pair with a dramatic, stainless-steel oven hood. A bright yellow wall sculpture by Brad Howe channels the sun, adding visual interest, while white Corian countertops keeps the space feeling sleek.

Its unconventional fish-like shape and signature wooden ceiling backbone with fins create a symmetrical, anchoring feeling while sitting in the pews.

“We found Studio Weave’s work and instantly connected with their designs, feeling their playful, instinctive approach would neatly balance modern design in a natural setting,” say the clients, Tom Baker and Natalie Silk. “They worked closely with our builder, David Joyce, to bring the space to life.”

Rast provides the feeling of being outdoors wile remaining inside.

A mirrored-glass backsplash plays up the feeling of space.

NOEM, a Barcelona–based architecture firm, created a metal-clad house for a young client just outside Madrid. It’s raised 12 feet off the ground to offer better views of the landscape, lending it "the futuristic feeling that it just landed," says Pol Guiu, one of NOEM’s cofounders.

Partial walls and white subway tile create a spacious feeling for the bathroom.

White oak flooring keeps the open-concept space feeling light and bright.