How to Make a Space Look Bigger – Small Space Decorating Tricks

A lot of homes are suffering from lack of space, and it’s hard to make extra space when you can’t build onto your house or knock down walls.

When you can’t literally create extra space, then you show try and trick the eye into feeling like there’s more space than there is. Here’s some small space decorating tricks to make your home appear larger…

Leave windows bare or install curtains that are close in color to the wall.

By having curtains the same color of the wall, the eye isn’t distracted by the curtains, therefore making the wall look larger (even though it’s broken up by a window). Larger walls make a room appear bigger.

 

 

 

Make sure your rooms can multitask.

Your living room (or bedroom) can also house your home office; your home office can also be your guest bedroom. By having a sofa bed in your living room, you can move over a few pieces and make it easier to accommodate guests that are spending a night or two.

 

 

 

Use correct scale furniture.

If you have a large room, you can fit that huge eight-person sectional, but if your space is limited, try going with a smaller sectional or three person sofa. A small-scale living chair (or two) can provide extra seating and will also balance the sofa AND anchor the living space in the room.

Use light colors.

One of the best tricks when decorating a small space is to use light colors on the wall. Apartment dwellers don’t have to be too quick to change the walls from white, because color can be added in the furniture and textiles. If you’re adamant on a paint “color”, then go with a light color; this way the space will feel more open. It’s fine to go bold with your wall color, but stray away from really deep, dark colors, like black and dark blues, browns, and purples. If you go this route, a good way to make the space feel more open is to bring in lots of white (or light-colored) furniture, accents, and accessories.

Avoid too many different colors and patterns.

When decorating a small space, it’s always good to pick a color scheme and stick to it. I suggest three colors at the most. Have a wall color (1 color), your sofa color (another color), and an accent color (color number 3). Your pillows, rugs, and accessories can be a mixture of all three. Too many more colors in a small space and the room can look too busy. Busy-looking rooms feel small and cluttered. Also, make sure to keep the amount of different patterns down to a minimum. A bunch of different kinds of patterns can be distracting. When in doubt, stick to 2-4 patterns and make sure it’s a mixture of large scale, medium scale, and small scale patterns.

Use mirrors.

Mirrors create depth and bounce light around a room, making it appear larger. I always suggest getting at least one floor mirror that’s at least five foot tall. If you don’t have the room for one to sit on the floor, hang a large mirror on the wall or do a gallery wall of mirrors (creates depth and visual interest). Just make sure to plan what’s being reflected in these mirrors; you don’t want to create a reflection on an area that doesn’t look good.

Other tips for small spaces:

• Provide good lighting; a well lit space feels bigger.
• Make good use of vertical lines; it makes a room feel taller. Place curtains at the ceiling and make sure they hit the floor. Other ways include using a tall bookshelf and/or hanging artwork high.
• The opposite works with horizontal lines; to make a room appear wider, use horizontal lines on the walls.
• You don’t have to be matchy-matchy, but try to keep the visual contrast down in your small space; you don’t want to have your guests (or yourself) to have too much to take in. This effect in a small space can be overwhelming, especially after being there for long periods of time.
• Open up your curtains (and windows); Natural light and air can bring freshness and comfort into a small space.
• Have and store portable furniture (tables and chairs) for when guests come over.
• Hide clutter; clutter makes a small room seem much smaller.

So, do you have your own tips for making  a room feel larger? Are any of the tips above your tried and true favorite! Drop me a comment!

Till next time,

XOXO