Seven Ways to Make a Small Room Look Bigger

by Nick, Digital Specialist | July 22, 2020

We can't all afford to have a huge house with huge rooms- many of us have to contend with smaller space. Check inside for some tips on how to make that space appear larger!

If we could afford it, every one of us would have a big house with spacious rooms, and we’d never have to worry about furnishing a small space. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality for most of us! The reality is that many of us have smaller rooms that we wish were bigger, which is why we have these great tips to make your small space appear larger.

1. Get a Paint Job: A fresh coat of paint goes a long way towards freshening up any space, but don’t just paint it any color if you’re trying to make your space appear larger. Lighter colors will reflect light and make your room look bigger. Dark colors will naturally absorb light, giving the illusion that your room is smaller than it actually is.

2. Find a Focal Point: This is all about traffic flow and having a room that makes sense. A focal point is the main spot in the room that everything is designed around- it could be the TV or a fireplace in your living room, the bed in your bedroom, the table in your dining room, or the desk in your office. Once you decide on a focal point, you can arrange the rest of your furniture so it revolves around the area you just chose.

3. Find Multi-Functional Pieces: Pieces that do more than one thing will reduce the amount of clutter in your space. A storage ottoman is a great example of a multi-functional piece in your living room: not only can you put your feet on it to relax, but you can store things like pillows and blankets inside as well. Plus, you could even get a tray for the tops for your drinks! Another option might be a lift-top cocktail table, which could help you turn your living room into an eating area.

4. Emphasize the natural light: Same idea as the lighter paint colors: you want to reflect the light, not absorb it. Do your best not to block any windows. When you’re shopping for accent pieces, look for artwork or accents with lighter tones. Consider hanging a mirror in a spot where it will reflect the light that comes into the room.

5. Hang your curtains to the ceiling: By hanging your curtains as high as they will go, it will give the illusion of your room being taller, making it look bigger in general. Just make sure that the curtains you get hang down to the bottom of your windowsill! Even better: get floor-to-ceiling window treatments...it will make the ceiling look that much taller.

6. Bigger is Better...Sometimes: Another way to play tricks on the eye is to get a large-scale piece of artwork. This optical illusion will make it seem like your room is bigger than it is, since it can “handle” a piece of art that large. Plus, lots of smaller items can make a room feel cluttered. However, this doesn’t mean that you should jam your room full of large pieces of furniture- be tactful about how you utilize this strategy!

7. Get Furniture with Exposed Legs: This is another great way to create the illusion of space. Furniture with short legs or skirts can make the room feel boxy and closed-in, but furniture with taller exposed legs can make the room seem more airy.

These tips are great for making the most of any small space in your home. You can apply these ideas to your living room, dining room, bedroom, or any other space in your home. Use them wisely, and you’ll have a space that makes the most of function as well as style. Happy decorating!