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• Michael Cohen said he would briefly stop talking about Donald Trump during Trump's Manhattan criminal trial.
• Cohen is a key witness to what prosecutors allege was a scheme to falsify business records to cover up hush money.
• But until now, Cohen has continued to talk about Trump and the case.

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's ex-personal attorney, has now pledged to stop talking about the former president until after his testimony in the former president's ongoing hush-money trial over.

"Despite not being the gagged defendant, out of respect for Judge Merchan and the prosecutors, I will cease posting anything about Donald on my X (formerly Twitter) account or on the Mea Culpa Podcast until after my trial testimony," Cohen wrote on X.

Cohen's loquaciousness about his time as a fixer for Trump should be legendary. He has a book and a podcast and is a frequent guest on cable TV — all will the goal of furthering his quest for redemption after his time working for Trump.

As Trump's personal attorney, Cohen is at the core of what New York prosecutors allege was an effort to falsify business records to cover for hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Cohen was also a major witness in Trump's fraud trial.

Unlike Trump, Cohen is not under a gag order. But legal experts have been dismayed at how Cohen continued to talk about the case, potentially providing Trump's lawyers with additional ammunition for their cross-examination during Cohen's expected testimony.

The former president has also attacked Cohen, one of a series of actions that prosecutors argued violated Judge Juan Merchan's gag order on Trump. Merchan upbraided Trump's attorney on Tuesday when considering the former president's statements but has yet to release a ruling on where the gag order stands.

Cohen is already likely to have a rough time on the stand during the trial.

He was sentenced to prison for lying to Congress and other offenses.

Trump has repeatedly attacked Cohen's credibility — including noting that Cohen is now a convicted liar.

The former president doesn't mention, though, that Cohen was convicted of lying to Congress about something that was supposed to help Trump.

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• House Speaker Mike Johnson wants Columbia University's President out.
• Johnson and other House Republicans have criticized her handling of campus protests and antisemitism.
• Pro-Palestinian student protests have been roiling Columbia's campus since last week.

House Speaker Mike Johnson wants Columbia University's president to resign, calling her "inept" and "weak."

Johnson, who is visiting Columbia on Wednesday, has railed against Nemat "Minouche" Shafik's handling of pro-Palestinian student protests and antisemitism on campus following Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel and Israel's subsequent war in Gaza.

Upon his arrival to campus Wednesday evening, Johnson was greeted by a crowd that booed and heckled him, while a few cheered, according to an Axios reporter who posted a video to X.

Though Johnson does not have the power to directly oust a college president, similar calls from political figures have fueled recent resignations.

After lawmakers and powerful figures urged the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and UPenn to resign following their congressional testimony about on-campus antisemitism in December, both Harvard's Claudine Gay and UPenn's Elizabeth Magill did resign, though MIT's president Sally Kornbluth has maintained her role.

"What we're seeing on these college campuses across the country is disgusting and unacceptable," Johnson said on "The Hugh Hewitt Show" on Wednesday. "Every leader in this country, every political official, every citizen of good conscience has to speak out and say that this is not who we are in America, and we have got to have accountability."

"It's unconscionable," Johnson added. "This president, Shafik, is shown to be a very weak, inept leader. They cannot even guarantee the safety of Jewish students? They're expected to run for their lives and stay home from class? It's just, it's, it's maddening."

Columbia students began camping out on campus last week to protest Israel's war in Gaza, arguing that the country is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. They're also demanding that the university divest from companies that support Israel.

As the protests were ramping up, Shafik testified to Congress, where she took a much stronger stance against antisemitism than her college president peers had done at their hearing months before. When Congress asked Harvard's Claudine Gay, for example, whether students calling for a Jewish genocide would violate university policies, she answered with, "It can be, depending on the context."

On the second day of protests, Shafik called in the NYPD, which arrested more than a hundred pro-Palestinian student protesters on suspicion of trespassing. The protests have continued in the days since, with some student groups saying Jewish students have been targeted with offensive, antisemitic rhetoric on campus.

In response to the ongoing campus unrest, House Republicans have been threatening to withdraw federal funding from Columbia and other schools experiencing similar protests, arguing that they've failed to protect Jewish students' safety.

"We're going to call on educational institutions like Columbia, if you cannot control what is happening at your university, if the president at this university is failing to keep students safe, then she shouldn't be eligible for any federal aid coming into this university," NY Republican Rep. Anthony D'Esposito said on Monday after visiting campus, according to The Washington Post.

Johnson echoed those calls on "The Hugh Hewitt Show" on Wednesday, adding that the visas of protesting students can be revoked.

Johnson is scheduled to meet with Columbia Jewish students and the university's Rabbi Yuda Drizin on Wednesday before holding a press conference where he and other House Republicans are expected to formally call for Shafik's resignation, The Washington Post reported.

"The decibel of our disagreements has only increased in recent days," Shafik wrote in a statement on Monday following her decision to call NYPD to campus. "These tensions have been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas. We need a reset."

Representatives for Shafik did not immediately respond to BI's request for comment.

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• TikTok's CEO is calling its users to action to support the app against US lawmakers seeking a ban.
• President Biden signed a bill that forces TikTok to be sold to an American company or face a ban.
• Users are freaking out over potentially losing access to their favorite app.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew has issued a rallying cry to users that the company plans to fight a possible US ban.

A foreign-aid bill passed Tuesday by the US Senate and signed by President Joe Biden Wednesday has millions of Americans who use TikTok freaking out over a potential ban.

Chew responded to the latest moves in a video posted by the official TikTok account. "Make no mistake, this is a ban," Chew said in the video. "A ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice."

The clip has over four million views as of Wednesday afternoon, and the comments show that users aren't ready to say goodbye to TikTok anytime soon.

Many expressed support for Chew, whose call to action hints at the pressure building against TikTok and its Chinese owners, Bytedance.

"I trust you with my life," one comment read.

Others credited the platform for helping users find "their voice and livelihood" and providing "a sense of community here that we don't have anywhere else."

Meanwhile, some reminisced about what they learned on the app, from restaurant recommendations to beauty product reviews.

"bro i learned how to change my air filters for my car and how to do an oil change," a commenter said.

Despite Chew's defiant video and the growing outrage from the app's users, a TikTok ban won't happen in the immediate future.

Bytedance has nine months to a year to find a buyer for TikTok — and that's only if the bill holds up in court.

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• Selena Gomez has shut down rumors that she's looking to sell her makeup brand, Rare Beauty.
• The line has been valued at $2 billion and has earned more than $70 million from blush sales alone.
• During the Time100 Summit, Gomez said she's "enjoying this a little too much."

The rumors aren't true, according to Selena Gomez. She's not eager to sell her makeup brand.

In March, Bloomberg reported that Gomez's company, Rare Beauty, had hired financial advisors to join meetings with potential investors and buyers.

The report came after The Business of Fashion named Rare Beauty one of the top merger and acquisition targets in January and valued the brand at $2 billion, citing $300 million in sales last year.

But during an appearance at the Time100 Summit in New York City on Wednesday, Gomez hinted at a strong future for her company — one that intrinsically involves her.

"I don't think I'm going anywhere. I am enjoying this a little too much," she told Time senior editor Lucy Feldman. "I just want to continue building what we're doing."

Gomez went on to describe Rare Beauty as her "pride and joy" and said there are "so many fun things coming up."

"I'm just looking forward to being a part of this," she said.

Rare Beauty has seen major success since launching in 2020 with TikTok-viral products and Sephora bestsellers. As Bloomberg reported last year, it "moved 3.1 million units" of its Soft Pinch Liquid Blush alone in 2022, earning the company around $70 million in revenue.

The fan-favorite product is so popular that Rare Beauty launched a new version — the $26 Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush — in April.

Rare Beauty is also known for its Rare Impact Fund, an initiative Gomez founded that's dedicated to raising $100 million over the next 10 years to expand mental health services across the world.

Other celebrity beauty brand founders have famously sold their own cosmetic lines and often earned serious cash in the process.

Bobbi Brown sold her namesake beauty company to Estée Lauder in 1995 for a reported $74.5 million, and Kat Von D sold her shares of her former brand to Kendo in 2020.

Though Gomez might not be planning to join them anytime soon, the possibilities — and dollars — in the future are seemingly endless.

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• Buy now, pay later company Affirm is starting to offer loans for elective cosmetic procedures.
• BNPL works differently from a credit card — critics say it can encourage people to pile on debt. 
• It's not just available for Botox, though. Dental and vet bills can be paid this way, too.

"Buy now, pay later" company Affirm has identified a new category for growth, according to a new report from Reuters: elective medical procedures like Botox, nose jobs, and even dental treatments.

Buy now, pay later options like Klarna and Affirm have become ubiquitous at checkouts on e-commerce retail sites for some time. Klarna even had a Super Bowl ad. But until recently, these companies have largely focused on retail purchases.

Now, BNPL is moving into the medical arena — a first for a major buy now, pay later company, according to the Reuters report:

Over the past year, Affirm has more than doubled the number of elective medical merchants on its network, reaching around 130 at of the end of 2023. The San Francisco-based company is hoping to tap growing consumer demand for financing for cosmetic treatments, dental services, medical devices and veterinary procedures.

"A lot of these price points are about $2,000 and above, so that suits our installment product … really well," Pat Suh, Affirm's senior vice president of revenue, said in an interview.

On one hand, financing cosmetic procedures is nothing new. A plastic surgeon or dentist may offer their own financing plans, and certainly, people use personal credit cards or other personal loan products for these things.

BNPL can appeal to people who don't have a credit card, perhaps because they're young and don't have a credit history or have bad credit. This can be a good thing, giving purchasing power to those who wouldn't otherwise have it. But BNPL apps typically don't help people build credit. They don't send positive payment information to the credit bureaus, but if your account goes into collections, it can negatively affect your credit score.

They can also trip those same people up. In 2022, a LendingTree report found that 42% of people who had used BNPL had at least one late payment. And those late payment fees can start to add up.

The services can also lead young people down a bad road, encouraging overspending with the allure of a seemingly low monthly payment. Business Insider reported recently how BNPL loans grew by 10 times between 2019 and 2023, creating a significant amount of "phantom debt" in the US economy since it's not typically reported to credit bureaus.

I know: It can be hard to sympathize with someone who's using lip filler they can't afford by putting it on Affirm. But go back to what it's actually being used for: "cosmetic treatments, dental services, medical devices, and veterinary procedures."

That means it's not just lip filler and Botox.

People who might need a root canal or a crown for a chipped tooth — the kind of necessary care that can be very expensive even with dental insurance — might be using Affirm. Or veterinary bills: any pet owner knows the horrible choice they face if their dog or cat needs an expensive surgery.

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• The US economy is facing a rare and difficult bifurcation, says Piper Sandler's head economist.
• Big companies have withstood or even benefited from high rates, while consumers are feeling the squeeze. 
• The economist forecasts 53% odds of recession but adds that one is needed to bring down inflation. 

The US is navigating a "bifurcated" economy that's only been seen twice before, with both times ending in a recession, according to a top economist.

Nancy Lazar, Piper Sandler's chief global economist, told Fox Business Network on Wednesday that the current economic backdrop is "very difficult" and "very unusual," and occurred only during the energy crisis in 1978-1979 and the latest Great Recession in 2008. 

"You have those that are benefiting from higher interest rates. You have those that are suffering from higher interest rates, those that can pay for these higher prices, and those that are really getting squeezed," Lazar said.

She said large businesses have been riding high on interest income, favorable financial conditions from locking in low-cost debt, surging stock rallies, and hefty government support.

Meanwhile, consumers are feeling the squeeze, facing mounting debts at elevated interest rates while inflation eats into wage gains. 

"At the end of the day, the interest rate structure had to go higher for longer, and in turn, eventually, you did have a recession, and that's how you eventually crushed the excesses and inflation," she said. 

Lazar forecasts a 53% odds of a recession, but she emphasized that we "need a recession" to tackle the inflation problem. 

"[Otherwise,] you're going to have a big group of people, a big group of companies continue to spend, continue to bid up these prices. And so I think it's a fine line, and I worry more about sticky inflation than I worry about recession."

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• Google delayed the removal of third-party cookies from Chrome again.
• The move gives companies more time to prepare for the removal of cookies, following pushback.
• Google plans to phase out cookies in 2025, subject to approval from the CMA and ICO.

Google is delaying its removal of third-party cookies on Chrome — again.

The company has delayed rolling out the removal multiple times since announcing the change in January 2020. It cited industry and regulatory pushback as the "significant considerations" behind the delay in a statement Tuesday.

"We recognize that there are ongoing challenges related to reconciling divergent feedback from the industry, regulators and developers, and will continue to engage closely with the entire ecosystem," a Google spokesperson said in a statement.

Third-party cookies are small data files stored on a user's device. Companies use cookies to track consumers across websites and target them with ads. They also use the tool to track whether campaigns are working effectively.

In recent years, Google joined companies like Apple and Mozilla in phasing out cookies to increase consumer privacy protections. Google developed its Privacy Sandbox, a collection of technologies to protect consumers while allowing companies to advertise successfully.

But the path to do so hasn't been simple.

Google is dependent on ads, and companies use cookies to target consumers and evaluate whether the ads are working. As the owner of the biggest search engine, the tech giant has received backlash from companies for planning to remove the feature because of its impact on advertising.

In January, Google experimented with phasing out cookies for 1% of Chrome users, which is about 30 million people. Various adtech companies said the new technology didn't adequately compensate for lost features from cookies.

Google has also faced regulatory complications that have prevented it from moving forward with the change. Google can't eliminate third-party cookies in Chrome until the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is satisfied with the new technology and approves it as anticompetitive.

"It's also critical that the CMA has sufficient time to review all evidence including results from industry tests," a Google spokesperson said. "Which the CMA has asked market participants to provide by the end of June."

Previously, the CMA said it was in the process of evaluating the impact of the changes, which it planned to wrap up halfway through 2024. Once it approves the Privacy Sandbox technologies, Google has to wait between 60 to 120 days before it can switch off cookies.

"We welcome Google's announcement clarifying the timing of third-party cookie deprecation," a CMA spokesperson told BI. "This will allow time to assess the results of industry tests and resolve remaining issues."

Google originally said it wanted to eliminate cookies by the end of 2024. The company said it now aims to start phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome in early 2025, hinging on approval from the CMA and the UK's privacy regulator, which is called the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

The ICO will work with Google and the CMA to ensure that the end of web cookies means beneficial privacy results for web users, Stephen Almond, the executive director of regulatory risk at ICO, told BI.

"Consumers benefit when businesses meet the requirements of data protection and competition law," Almond said.

Do you have a Google tip? Email the reporter from a non-work at aaltchek@insider.com.

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Apple announced this week that it will host a video-streamed online event on May 7, where the company is expected to reveal new iPads and iPad accessories. The big giveaway is the animation included in the event announcement on Apple's website, which shows a hand flicking around an Apple Pencil. 

There are no official details on what Apple will announce or release on May 7. However, a significant update to the iPad Pro and iPad Air series, an upgraded Apple Pencil, and an updated Magic Keyboard are expected, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, one of the most reliable sources when it comes to unreleased Apple products. 

The last time new iPads were released was in 2022, when some models got a refresh, including a standard 10th-generation iPad and iPad Air and Pro models. The iPad Mini hasn't been updated since 2021. In 2023, the only iPad-related devices Apple released included a USB-C Apple Pencil.

New iPad Pros with OLED displays

The expected upcoming iPad Pros could be quite a significant update. The most exciting and plausible update coming to the new iPads is sharper OLED displays for the Pro models, according to Gurman — the same kind of displays found on iPhones since 2017.

If accurate, OLED displays have the potential to bring dramatic improvements to viewing videos and whatever you do on an iPad that uses the display. At the same time, OLED displays could hike the minimum price even further for the iPad Pro models, which are already the most expensive devices among the best iPads, starting at $799. 

Beyond a totally new display, the new iPad Pros are said to have noticeably thinner designs, according to 9to5Mac. 

The iPad Pros are widely expected to run on Apple's M3 processor, which was introduced with the latest MacBook Air and base MacBook Pro models. 

A new, larger iPad Air

Alongside a refreshed iPad Air with a typical display size of around 11 inches, Apple is expected to release a new iPad Air model with a 12.9-inch display for the first time, according to Gurman, matching the display size of the larger iPad Pro model.

It's widely expected that the upcoming iPad Air models will be upgraded from Apple's M1 processor to Apple's M2 processor, which was introduced in 2022 for various Mac laptops, like the 2022 MacBook Air and 2022 13-inch MacBook Pro. It would be a welcome upgrade for professionals using the iPad Air for creative visual work, but it's unlikely to make much of a difference for basic iPad use, like video streaming, social media scrolling, web browsing, emailing, or even playing games. 

An Apple Pencil you can squeeze

An expected new Apple Pencil could register squeezes from your fingers to do different things, according to 9to5Mac, which referenced evidence of a new squeeze gesture in the iPadOS 17.5 beta version. The new squeeze gesture would likely activate customizable functions.

An upgraded Magic Keyboard

A new Magic Keyboard that's supposedly designed for the new iPad Pros will reportedly have an aluminum top to address the poor durability of the current Magic Keyboard, according to Gurman. A larger trackpad is also said to be expected. The whole package could make the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard combination look similar to a Mac laptop. 

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• Celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z, and Justin Bieber are flaunting Tesla's Cybertruck.
• Famous folk have been spotted taking the truck to concerts, church, and through downtown Miami.
• Here's a list of celebrities that have been spotted with Tesla's Cybertruck.

Celebrities have been flexing the latest four-wheeled status symbol — Tesla's Cybertruck.

Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z, and Justin Bieber have all been spotted with the truck in recent months. In March, Steve Aoki joined the ranks of owners, posting an enthusiastic video that was later re-shared by Elon Musk.

And "American Idol" judge Katy Perry posted about receiving her own Cybertruck delivery Tuesday.

Despite the hype, some experts have questioned if the spottings are just a grand marketing plan orchestrated by Tesla after it launched the vehicle in late 2023. Either way, the high-profile endorsements appear to be working in the EV company's favor.

"It's got this image of a must," Winston Chesterfield, the founder of Barton, a London consulting firm focused on the wealthy, previously told Business Insider. "If you are a high-end person that wants to be seen around, you have to have the Cybertruck."

Kim Kardashian

Kardashian was one of the first celebs to publicly show off the truck.

In February, she posted a picture of the Tesla Cybertruck on her Instagram story with the caption "Cool Carpool Mom."

Justin and Hailey Bieber

Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey Bieber, have been spotted driving Tesla's new vehicle to church.

In images circulating online, the pair can be seen through the windows and climbing out of the pickup in a series of snaps.

Jay-Z

Music superstars Jay-Z and Beyoncé also appear to have received a Cybertruck, which they quickly wrapped in matte black. The makeover even received Tesla CEO Elon Musk's seal of approval.

Steve Aoki

A video posted by Musk in March showed that Steve Aoki received a Foundation Series Cybertruck.

Aoki gushed over the size of the truck in the video, calling it a "Cyberbeast."

Bad Bunny

In late February, Bad Bunny was spotted pulling up to the Utah leg of his tour in a Tesla Cybertruck.

Pharrell Williams

In early January, Pharrell Williams was photographed trying to park the truck in downtown Miami.

Williams, who appeared to be trying to parallel park the vehicle, ultimately had to leave it in the street after his failed attempt, a witness said.

Theo Von

Stand-up comedian and podcaster Theo Von was spotted driving his Cybertruck as he pulled up to a stop sign.

The host of the "This Past Weekend" podcast was filmed through the truck's windows in a video that made the rounds on social media.

NBA star Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves star was filmed pulling up to an NBA game in his Cybertruck.

Katy Perry

In a post on X, the "American Idol" judge posed in front of her Cybertruck and thanked Musk for the delivery.

"Looks good," the Tesla CEO replied.

Jason Kelce

Philadelphia residents have reported seeing retired Eagles player Jason Kelce driving around the city in his Cybertruck. The former athlete also appeared in a video where he pointed out the decal stickers on the back.

Kanye West

Ye and his wife Bianca Censori were spotted in April being driven around Los Angeles in a Cybertruck. It's unclear if the vehicle belongs to the rap mogul, but West and Musk have had a hot-and-cold friendship over the years.

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• As an interior designer, I've mastered ways to make even the smallest spaces feel grand and open. 
• People often make rookie mistakes, like hanging curtains too low and getting a rug that's too small.
• But the right paint shade can brighten a room, and mirrors can make it feel like it extends forever.

Use large artwork to create an illusion of grandeur.

When your artwork is large, it draws the eye upward and outward.

Adding a sizable piece to your wall creates the illusion of depth, especially if it's a beautiful snapshot or landscape painting that resembles a view you might see out of a window.

Think of it as a statement piece that doubles as the room's focal point.

When you're working with a small space, it's important to choose a piece that packs a punch. You want to make sure it's the star of the show, so keep the surrounding decor minimal and let the art speak for itself. 

If you're not sure where to hang it, place it on a wall opposite the entrance. That way, when someone walks into your space, they'll be wowed by the piece and forget all about how small your space is.

Mirrors are the most effective way to trick the eye and open up a room.

Think of mirrors as a magical portal to another dimension, one where space is infinite and your living room is the size of a ballroom. 

They give the illusion of continuity and are one of the most powerful tools for tricking the eye.

When placed in the proper spot, they have the ability to reflect the surrounding space, making it seem like a room extends beyond its actual boundaries. This optical illusion makes your small space feel more open and vast.

It's important to strategically place mirrors in areas where they'll bounce light around the room. I recommend hanging yours directly across from a window or perpendicular to a window for the most effective outcome.

When choosing paint shades for a small space, look for colors with an LRV of 50 or higher.

Light Reflective Value measures how much light a paint color reflects on a scale of zero to 100. This value is important when considering how a paint color will influence a room's mood, atmosphere, and perceived size. 

Paint colors with a higher LRV reflect more light, which can make a room feel brighter and more open. And when a room feels brighter and more open, it automatically feels larger.  

When choosing paint colors for a small space, look for colors with an LRV of 50 or higher. White is a classic choice for tight quarters because it has a high LRV, but not all white paint is created equally. Two shades that look nearly identical can have different LRVs.

You also don't have to stick to white to get a light, airy feel. Light pastels, soft neutrals, and even some mid-tone colors can have high LRVs.

Just be sure to check a color's LRV before you buy it to ensure that it'll reflect enough light to make your space feel larger.

Floor-to-ceiling curtains make your walls look much taller.

Hanging curtains right above a window is a common design mistake I've seen many rookies make. It breaks up the wall space, creating a visual barrier that shortens the distance between the ceiling and the floor. 

It's like taking a pair of scissors and snipping down your room's height, which isn't exactly going to make it feel more spacious.

Instead, hang your curtains as high as you possibly can. Floor-to-ceiling curtains make your windows look larger and your walls look longer. It's like putting a pair of stilettos on your room.

Take advantage of vertical real estate for all of your small-space storage needs.

Anyone living in a small apartment or home can attest that storage can be a big issue. Every inch of space counts. But fear not — the solution to your storage woes is right above your head. You just need to embrace the power of shelves and cabinets.

Using closed, wall-mounted cabinets for storage frees up valuable floor space, making your home feel more organized and spacious. Not to mention, it'll also feel less cluttered.

Closed storage allows you to keep your not-so-pretty items, like old tax documents, out of sight but easily accessible.

Translucent furniture maximizes space without sacrificing style.

Unlike bulky wooden furniture — which can make a space feel heavy, cramped, and cluttered —  translucent furniture allows the eye to travel through it, creating an unobstructed view of a room.

Translucent furniture creates a sense of spaciousness and depth that can make even the smallest room feel larger and more open. 

Let's not forget that these pieces let in more light as well, brightening your room and making it feel more inviting.

From acrylic chairs to glass coffee tables to lucite bookcases, these items are both stylish and functional. 

As an added bonus, they're often lightweight and easy to move around, making them perfect for renters or anyone who likes to frequently switch up their decor.

A rug that doesn't fit your space can make your room look smaller, too.

Rugs can make or break a room. Unfortunately, one of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to rugs is choosing one that's too small for their space. 

It can be tempting to go for a smaller rug. After all, they're often cheaper and easier to find. 

However, a rug that's too small will create an awkward negative space around the edges of the room, drawing the eye inwards and making the room feel cramped and unbalanced. 

A rug that's large enough for your space creates a sense of harmony and balance, pulling the eye outward and making the room feel more spacious.

There are plenty of options, from natural jute rugs to low-pile wool rugs, that can give you the look and feel you're after without breaking the bank.

Painting your ceiling and walls the same color can actually make your room appear larger.

The days of painting your walls a bold color and leaving the ceiling white are over. 

When it comes to creating a seamless, cohesive look, painting your walls and ceiling the same color is the way to go. 

This design choice eliminates any harsh lines or color transitions, creating a sense of continuity and flow that reminds me of the way the sky and the horizon blend together. It can also make your room feel like it goes on forever.

Of course, choosing the right color is key. White is always a classic choice, but don't be afraid to experiment with other shades. Soft blues, greens, and grays can also work wonders and create a serene, calming atmosphere.

When it comes to creating a spacious and inviting room, less is definitely more.

If you find yourself hoarding nicknacks, it's time to declutter. 

Every item in your room takes up space. The more stuff you have, the less free space you have to move around in. 

Letting go of clutter is the first step to creating a room that feels more open and spacious. By only keeping the essentials, you'll have more breathing room and allow your space to shine. 

I recommend combing through your decor with a fine toothcomb and critical eye, keeping only your most prized possessions.

Play around with multiple light sources to brighten your home and make it feel more expansive.

The secret to crafting a space that feels open and expansive is thinking about lighting in three tiers: ambient, task, and accent.

Ambient lighting provides overall illumination, task lighting focuses on specific areas, like a reading nook or desk, and accent lighting highlights architectural features or artwork.

Incorporating all three tiers of lighting into a space brings a sense of height and dimension that makes any room feel larger. It's an easy, cost-effective way to add some drama to your space.

This story was originally published on March 3, 2023, and most recently updated on April 24, 2024.

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