Being transparent is good when it means acting with honesty, and not keeping secrets. But when it comes to home décor, being transparent takes on a whole new beautiful meaning.

We're talking about transparent décor - see-through surfaces that add a modern edge to a space while helping to visually expand it. "Adding transparent glass and acrylic pieces as accents can really do wonders for a space—especially if you're living in tight quarters," said Huffington Post. "The best part is that these clear furnishings can be incorporated in any room because they don't dictate or change a color palette or style."

Transparent decor is nothing new; Architectural Digest showcased the look dating back to the early 2000s with polycarbonate Philippe Starck chairs as the visual centerpiece of an Arizona dining area, a lucite bed that seems to float in a Miami high rise and acrylic side tables in an art deco-inspired Park Avenue apartment. But, the trend has gained steam recently. Elle Décor showcased "clear colors…in glass, acrylic and sheer fabrics…" in their July/August 2014 Trend Alert.

Transparent furniture creates a similar effect to reflective surfaces like mirror except that instead of bouncing light around the room, it allows the eye a seamless passage from one side of the piece to another. It can work in any type of space and with any type of décor, and is an especially good trick in rooms that are small or oddly shaped (not to mention how popular easy-care acrylic pieces are with parents and dog owners).

"They can make a small room feel bigger because they take up practically no visual space," said Huffington Post.

Here are a few of our fave see-through pieces:

Grenio coffee table, Wayfair

A cavalcade of Louis Ghost Chairs, Allmodern.com

Ikea TOBIAS chair, a more affordable alternative to the designer version.

Acrylic desk, decoist.com

Check out more ideas on Houzz.