Have you ever been in a hotel room that is not so big in size but feels quite large? Most probably, it is not the room size that gives that feeling but the smart and well-planned room design.
The same principle can be applied in our homes.
If you are wondering how to make a small room appear bigger, you don’t need to tear down walls or spend huge sums on repairs. Small changes will have a huge impact on how your space will feel. Here are the tricks used by interior designers that can be easily used by anyone.
1. Start with Light Colors - But Don't Stop at White
You’ve probably heard that white makes a room feel bigger, and it’s true. However, the actual key is to ensure that the different elements in the room, such as walls, ceiling, and furniture, come across as an integral whole without clashing with each other.
Light shades of beige, warm white, light gray, and soft natural green are the best colors for small rooms.
Reality Check
✔ Works best if your room gets decent natural light.
✘ If your room is naturally dark, pair light walls with warm lighting instead of relying on paint alone.
2. Buy One Large Mirror Instead of Three Small Ones
A mistake that a lot of people often make is to hang many small mirrors in their room. This tends to clutter the wall and make the room feel more crowded.
Instead, it is better to choose one big mirror.
If possible, place it opposite a window, it reflects light and views outside the room which makes it seem to be bigger than it is.
A full length mirror or a simple arched mirror can create an effect that can completely transform a small bedroom.
3. Choose Furniture That Gives the Room Breathing Space
While shopping for furnishing for small rooms, making the right selections is important.
Aim for pieces with slim legs instead of large ones.
Why?
The space under furniture gives the feeling of openness, lightness, and spaciousness in the room.
For instance,
Instead of:
- heavy wooden coffee table
Buy:
- a slim wooden table (if you prefer natural, warm look),
- a glass table (best for making compact rooms look bigger), or
- a set of nesting tables (best when you need flexible surface space)
4. Let Your Curtains Fool the Eye
This is one of those designer tricks that always work.
Instead of hanging the curtains just covering the window, fix the curtain rod closer to the ceiling and let the curtains touch the floor.
The eye naturally follows the vertical lines in the design of interior space, thus making the ceiling appear higher.
Light linen curtains allow light to come through the windows without ruining the sunshine effect.
5. Keep Decorations Bigger, but Fewer
When decorating a small room, one of the most common mistakes individuals make is overcrowding their shelves with small decorative items.
Too many small decor items leads to visual clutter.
Instead, be sure to opt for fewer, larger-sized decor items.
For example:
- One larger piece of artwork instead of five little picture frames.
- One bold vase instead of multiple little decorative pieces.
- One tall house plant instead of a few small ones.
This way, the room feels immediately calmer.
6. Use Every Wall, Not Every Corner
If you notice your floor feels crowded, start looking up.
There is plenty of space in the vertical direction, so use it! Buy floating shelves, wall-mounted desks and tall bookshelves, use vertical storage options to leave the floor open.
Two floating shelves, for example, can accommodate all the storage a cupboard would provide without affecting spaciousness.
7. Don't Push Every Piece of Furniture Against the Wall
While it may seem illogical, pulling a couch or a bed a few inches from the wall makes the room feel bigger.
The small space between the object and the wall creates a sense of depth.
It’s a very small detail used by many designers without people noticing.
8. Layer Your Lighting Instead of Using One Bright Ceiling Light
One ceiling light cannot warm up any room.
To create a comfortable atmosphere, it is a good idea to have:
- a floor lamp in one corner of the room,
- a table lamp on the nightstand,
- an LED strip behind the headboard, and
- wall lamps for reading.
Layered lighting removes dark corners making it possible to add brightness to the room and make it feel larger.
9. Give Everything a Home
No decorating trick will work if the place is full of clutter.
Storage baskets, under-bed storage units, drawer dividers, and storage ottomans help you clean away your belongings without putting them completely out of sight.
The more visual clutter you have, the narrower the space seems.
10. Stick to One Style
There is something about Pinterest-worthy rooms that makes them look great. Instead of combining rustic, industrial, boho, and modern styles in one zone, pick a single theme and stick with it.
Some timeless styles are:
- Scandinavian
- Japandi
- Modern Minimalism
- Coastal style
- Contemporary style
Once you have your style figured out, you will be able to decorate even the smallest room.
11. Create One Corner You'll Love
Shop a Similar Look
Instead of trying to cover the entire area of the room, concentrate on finding one great corner. You can consider the following items:
- A comfortable accent chair
- A warm floor lamp
- A small wooden table
- A comfy throw blanket
- One leafy plant
That’s it, the room will be complete!
12. Remember That Empty Space Is Part of the Design
Here’s something many people overlook:
- not all corners have to be filled with furniture
- not all walls need some piece of art
- not all shelves have to be decorated
A degree of emptiness allows the eyes to relax and creates a more spacious, harmonious room.
Sometimes the wisest thing to do is to leave something out.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to make a small room look bigger doesn’t have anything to do with buying excess furniture or replicating the trends that you come across on the Internet. It is all about making good choices that create the desired outcome.
You can start with one or two changes. Possibly, hang your curtains higher, purchase a big mirror, or exchange bulky furniture for more elegant pieces. Over time, after implementing enough changes, you will feel as if you have created a bigger place that you can truly enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Small Room Look Bigger
1. What colors make a small room look bigger?
Light shades such as warm white, cream, light beige, and light grey have a great capacity to reflect the light and give a more open feeling. Using them in combination with natural wood and soft textures gives warmth to the room without making it feel smaller.
2. Do mirrors actually make a room look bigger?
Yes. A big mirror reflects the light thus creating the illusion of depth. It is better to place it facing a window or in the part of the room where the brightest light comes from.
3. What type of furniture works best in a small room?
It is recommended to choose the furniture with thin legs, built-in storage compartments, and multifunctional designs. Pieces that allow you to see more of the floor help create a lighter, more spacious look.
4. How can I decorate a small room without making it feel cluttered?
Stick to one decorating style, avoid small decoration items, engage vertical storage, and leave some free space.
5. What's the biggest mistake people make in a small room?
Trying to fit too much into it. Oversized furniture, too many decorations, and cluttered surfaces make a room feel much smaller than it actually is. Choosing fewer, better-quality pieces creates a cleaner and more spacious look.