How to Make a Small Room Look Bigger – 5 Design Tips

A lot of you probably have that one room in your home that is smaller than you’d like it to be. You can barely fit all the furniture you want inside, it feels and looks cramped, and you feel almost claustrophobic every time you go in.

If this sounds like you, then you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to make your room look bigger. Well, there is! And the experts at Fantastic Services are here to help you make that dream a reality by sharing our top 5 design tips.

So, if you:

• Have a room in your home that is smaller than you’d like;
• Are looking for ways to make a room look bigger;

Then look no further, because this article has all the answers!

5 tips on how to make small rooms look bigger

Making a small room look bigger is all about the optical illusion – tricking the eye into thinking there is more space than there actually is. And there are several ways you can achieve that easily! So, if you’re planning on renovating a small room, take a look at our helpful tips on how to make it seem larger.

Pay attention to the colours

When wondering how to make a small room look bigger, it’s only natural to start with the colours. In general, lighter tones make a space look bigger and brighter, because they are more reflective. Dark colours, on the other hand, absorb light and can make a small room look cramped and tiny.

In some cases, however, deep, dark colours can be used in tiny rooms to provide depth. Sometimes, they can work in places with little natural light, too, to stop them from looking washed out. Dark colours are not easy to use, though, so choose them carefully. If you still want to add a pop of colour to your walls, consider creating an accent wall, opting for a shade that suits the rest of your walls and decor.

When choosing which tones to use, keep in mind which area you’re decorating and what kind of feeling you want to get from it. Cool tones like green and blue can make a room feel fresh and relaxing, so they are perfect for bedrooms and studies. Warm colours, such as reds and yellows, add to the cosiness, so use them in kitchens, kids’ rooms and living rooms.

When it comes to furnishing and decorating, in order to make a small room look bigger, keep your furniture the same colour as the walls; this will create the illusion of an open space, which – let’s face it – is precisely what you want in a tiny room. Additionally, curtains in the same or slightly darker colour as the walls will create a natural flow that lets the eye move around smoothly, since they blend in and don’t add unnecessary interruptions to the decor.

Let the light in

Natural light is essential in small rooms, as – this probably comes as no surprise – the darker the place, the smaller and more cramped it’s going to look and feel. So, what can you do to let the light in and make a room look bigger?

First, consider leaving your windows uncovered. Not only will that let more natural light into the room, but it will also make it look open, and therefore – bigger.

If there is a limited amount of light coming into the room – reflective surfaces are your friends! Mirrors work exceptionally well when placed strategically, because they help bounce light around the room. They also reflect the interior, making it seem more spacious than it is.

As for artificial light, your best bet is to add several light sources around the room, instead of sticking to a single ceiling lamp. Placing a few wall lights around, in darker corners and other suitable spots so that it’s evenly lit, can really make a room look bigger and brighten it up in the process.

Choose the right furniture

Having the right furniture can make a room look bigger very easily, especially if you know what kind to look for. Just remember – keep the size of the room in mind before you buy your items.

When furnishing a room, opt for a few larger statement pieces instead of many small ones. When you fill the space up with lots of objects, no matter how tiny they are, it will seem cramped just because of the visual clutter. So, keep it large and to a minimum.

Try to keep the floors as clear as possible to create the illusion of space. Wall-mounted shelves, TVs, and bookcases are a good choice, as they don’t take up any floor space; therefore, they don’t make the room seem cramped.

Speaking of keeping the floor clear – foldable furniture is a small room’s best friend! Foldable chairs, adjustable tables and desks that fold to the wall are perfect for small rooms, because you can just move them out of the way and free up space when they’re not in use.

If you want to make a room look bigger, why not choose floor-to-ceiling curtains and bookcases? They create the illusion of higher ceilings and thus, make the whole room look more spacious.

Want to make your room look not only bigger, but more modern? Glass or see-through objects may be the right choice for you! They trick the eye into thinking there’s more space in the room than there actually is, so go for a clear coffee table or nightstand.

Declutter, declutter, declutter

One of the most important things you need to keep consistent in small rooms is decluttering. Visual clutter not only takes up space, but it makes the room look cramped and even smaller than it is. Not to mention that it can stress you out without you even realising it!

So, get rid of anything useless and free up as much space as possible. To make a small room look bigger, keep decor and trinkets minimalistic and suiting the style. This way, the eye can naturally move around it without being interrupted all the time.

To achieve an airy feel, leave some empty space on shelves and bookcases. This comes back to our point about visual clutter and reducing it to make your room look bigger and less busy.

Get creative with storage

One of the smartest things you can do to save space in a small room is to get creative with the way you store things. This is where multi-functional furniture comes into play! Chests that double as coffee tables, coffee tables with hidden storage, beds with drawers underneath – basically, opt for multi-purpose furnishings that are practical and hit two birds with one stone.

In a small bathroom, built-in shelves can help increase storage space while not shrinking the room itself. They are easily built into fake walls, such as ones used to cover up piping.

In the kitchen, there are endless opportunities to get creative! Thin, pull-out spice racks can go next to the fridge. You can place hanging shelves inside cabinets to double storage space. Rails, hooks and baskets can be added underneath wall units for extra hanging space. Your cup runneth over with possibilities!

In need of expert decorating help?

Trying to decorate and furnish a room all by yourself can be difficult. That’s why Fantastic Services is here to help! With our vast range of services and the expert handymen we work with, we can make sure your home looks better than ever! From painting to assembling furniture, to fitting curtains and blinds, we can take care of it all! So what are you waiting for? Take the first step towards a beautiful and well-maintained home today!

Takeaways

• Light colours make a room look bigger and brighter, whereas dark colours absorb light and make it look smaller.
• Natural light makes a space feel larger, so let in as much of it as you can.
• Add multiple light sources around the room to evenly light it up.
• Furniture that is the same colour as your walls creates a feeling of openness.
• A few large pieces of furniture in a tiny room are better than many small ones.
• Decluttering can make a small room look bigger and less cramped.
• Multi-purpose furniture and pieces with hidden storage can help you keep visual clutter to a minimum.

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Did you find this article helpful? Do you have any design tips and tricks of your own? Share them with us down in the comments!

Image source: Shutterstock / Breadmaker