How to Make a Room Look Bigger

Limited square footage is one of the most difficult obstacles to design around. It seems daunting to try and fill tiny studios or small rooms without making them feel even more crammed. Check out our guide with advice from paint to mirrors to find out how easy it is to make a room look bigger.

Furniture

Sizing/Scaling: Appropriate sized furniture is essential when helping a small space look bigger. Be sure to measure your space before bringing in a piece that's too hard to live around, and if possible, pick pieces that are multi-purpose, like a coffee table with a shelf, an end table with a lift-off top, or slim bookcase.

Elevate: Put large furniture like couches, console tables, and media cabinets off the floor and on legs. Keeping the floor uninterrupted with streamlined furniture allows light and air to flow not just over but also under and around it.

Walls & Floors

Paint: When it comes to small spaces, it's generally best to reduce contrast as much as possible. Going from dark to light colors and creating high contrast interrupts the eye and creates a boundary. You can avoid these boundaries by painting walls, doors, and trims with the same color.
Walls: Work with the walls you already have and enhance the surfaces with vertical or horizontal lines. Add paneling, wallpaper, or wainscoting along the perimeter of a room to move the eye up and give the appearance of a high ceiling, or down long corridors for added length.

Flooring: Dark floors can make a space feel smaller than it really is. Instantly brighten up your small space by swapping the floors with something lighter. Think cream carpets, natural and neutral toned tiles, and whitewashed wood flooring. These light colors give a room an open and airy feel, making it appear larger, while also drawing in the natural sunlight from outside. In addition to color, consider the shape of your flooring and opt for wider planks over strips. Planks will make the room feel less busy and more open due to the fact there are less seams in the floor and you'll need fewer boards. Pick a flooring you like, and run it throughout all the rooms for the most continuity.

Pathways: When dealing with a small room, you might think the best way maximize the space is by pushing all the pieces to the edges. But if this causes you to bump into things, it can do just the opposite. Create a clear pathway by grouping the furniture on one side of the room so people can pass through unhindered.

Illusions

Hanging Mirrors: Any discussion about small spaces usually includes the idea of using mirrors to create a greater sense of openness. Not only do they reflect light, they also reflect the view, and trick the eye into perceiving more space. Go large with your wall mirrors – don't waste valuable floor space by propping a full length mirror against the wall.

Fabrics: When pressed for space, it's a good idea to just ditch curtains and rugs, but there are ways to incorporate some fabrics. Avoid heavy materials that absorb light and weigh down your room. Linens and woven fabrics are perfect options for gauzy curtains that will foster an airy feeling.

Sneaky Storage: In a small kitchen or bathroom, you want to use every inch of wall space for storage. For the kitchen, turn to hooks, racks, and shelves to store your cookware and dishes. Optimize the insides of cabinets and pantries using over the door baskets. In the bathroom, consider swapping in a pedestal sink, floating shelves, or a medicine cabinet (or two!) to reflect the existing space.

Extras

Layered Lighting: A great trick to make a room look bigger is by layering the heights of your lighting. Start up top with track or recessed lighting, and work down to a dimmable pendant, and then a floor or table lamp. Having wall lights that direct soft shafts of light up and down will also make the space look taller.

Mixed Textures: When designing your space, you don't have to settle for minimalism to keep an area from looking cluttered. Fluffy rugs, grained wood pieces, velvet cushions and soft arm chairs will all warm up a small space without feeling heavy. Instead of going for bold patterns like florals and thick stripes, incorporate different textures in neutral tones to simulate variety and depth into your room.

Surfaces: Use materials that you can see through to immediately make something appear farther away. Comprise your space with see through materials like glass or lucite for end tables with a sturdy base that opens up the view around it. Achieve the similar effects of a hanging mirror and elevated furniture by opting for pieces, such as coffee tables, with mirrored surfaces.

You don't have to get rid of everything you own to get the most out of your small spaces. Following these tips can help you learn how to make a room feel bigger and completely transform your space.