How do you make a small room look bigger
Expert Advice: 11 Tips for Making a Room Look Bigger
As a former New Yorker and current owner of a wee Cape Cod cottage, I am quite familiar with both the charm and challenges of small spaces. When done well, they can feel like cozy, Zen-like retreats. But often when you have to cram all your worldly possessions into one tiny space, the results can feel cramped, claustrophobic, and anything but restful. Achieving the former instead of the latter takes some conscious effort.
The good news is that the key to successful small-space living might be easier than you think. It all boils down to tricking the eye into perceiving more space by employing three simple concepts: scale, light, and movement.
1. Scale it down.
Above: At Harbor Cottage in Maine, all the furniture, even the woodstove, has been downsized to fit the small living area. Photograph by Justine Hand from A Cottage Reborn in Coastal Maine.Furniture for the small space is all about proportions. Simply put, if a piece brushes up against the boundaries of the room, either up and down or sideways, it’s too large. To create a sense of roominess, always leave a little air in between the sides of your furniture and the walls. (The one exception is a bed; a queen placed between two walls, for instance, creates a cozy sleeping cave.)
Also avoid heavy, weighty pieces that eat up too much of the usable space in the room. For example, a sleek sofa or chair will give you as much sitting room as its overstuffed cousin but will take up much less of your room. If you long for a large, statement piece (a piece of art or mirror), hang it on the wall. Don’t consume valuable living space by putting it on the floor.
2. Keep a low profile.
Above: Designer Corinne Gilbert uses low-slung pieces to create an open feel in her living room. Also, notice that the mirrors are hung low so that they “relate” to the sofa. Photograph by Matthew Williams from Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home.Furniture that is lower to the ground will create a feeling of openness in a room simply by the fact that they leave more space above them.
In the bedroom, choose a loft bed or even try placing a mattress directly on the floor. In the living room, embrace your inner Mad Men style with low-to-the-ground midcentury pieces. Or, if your tastes run more toward the romantic and ornate, 19th-century furniture also has a low profile.
3. Show a little leg with lithe furniture.
Above: The Hudson Valley retreat of Workstead’s Robert Highsmith and Stefanie Brechbuehler is short on space and long on charm. To maximize the sense of light and air, the design duo employed leggy and lithe furniture and fixtures.
Photograph by Matthew Williams from Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home.Again, creating the illusion of more space is all about creating a sense of openness and movement. Furniture that is streamlined allows light and air to flow not just over but also under and around it, so that it appears to float in space. Again, think midcentury modern pieces, which are both low and leggy. Or consider the perfect piece of soaring furniture: the butterfly chair. (See Object Lesson: The Classic Butterfly Chair.)
Above: In her London living room, Remodelista’s Christine Chang Hanway creates an open feel by employing midcentury furniture that allows light from the generous windows to flow through the room. Photograph by Kristen Perers for Remodelista.4. Mirror, mirror on the wall…
Above: In her small bedroom in Brooklyn, architectural designer Elizabeth Roberts cleverly positions a mirror so that it actually looks like another window. Photograph by Matthew Williams from Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home.
Any discussion of small spaces needs to include the idea of using mirrors to create a greater sense of openness. Not only do they reflect light, they also reflect the view, thereby tricking the eye into perceiving more space.
5. Ditch the drapes (and rugs).
Above: In their Hudson Valley living room, Robert Highsmith and Stefanie Brechbuehler of Workstead maximize a sense of space by using leggy, low-profile furniture and fixtures as well as a mirror over the couch. They also keep the space looking uncluttered by ditching the drapes and the rug. Photograph by Matthew Williams from Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home.As we saw with mirrors, it’s all about tricking the eye. Curtains stop the eye from taking in the view outside, even if they don’t cover the whole window. And drapes and curtains just add more “stuff” to the room. Eliminating them keeps the space simple. If you want privacy, consider shutters or lightweight mesh or cloth blinds. Or if curtains are a must for you, use a bar that extends far beyond the window frame, so you can fully expose the window.
Ditto rugs. Cast your eye over all the small spaces in this article. Note how few have rugs or, if they do, how simple and minimal they are.
Above: In my own Cape Cod cottage, note how with the absence of curtains, the eye is drawn right through several rooms and out the window beyond. Photograph by Justine Hand for Remodelista.6. White it out.
Above: In the renovation of a Montauk beach house, Brooklyn architects Space Exploration painted the entire house in Benjamin Moore’s Super White, with a flat finish on the walls and satin on the ceilings. Photograph courtesy of Space Exploration from our post The Simple Life: A Montauk Beach House for a Creative Couple.We all know of white’s reflective qualities. It opens up a room, making it feel airy and light, calm and serene. Painting the walls and ceiling the same shade of white only enhances this cloud-like effect. And it serves to blur the boundaries between wall and celling, causing your eye to travel up, essentially making the ceiling seem higher.
Finally, in small spaces that can quickly become cluttered looking, white is a good choice because it simplifies a space and emphasizes the architecture. (That’s why architects love it so much. See 10 Easy Pieces: Architect’s White Paint Picks.)
If you’re worried that an all-white space will feel too cold, then pair it with warming elements such as wood, or textured elements, such as a shaggy wool throw. And remember that you don’t have choose a stark white. (See Remodeling 101: How to Choose the Perfect White Paint.)
7. Emphasize the vertical.
Above: Christien Starkenburg, a furniture designer in the Netherlands, uses vertical wood paneling to emphasize the height of her small kitchen and dining area. Photograph courtesy of Anna de Leeuw from our post Kitchen of the Week: The Curtained Kitchen, Dutch Modern Edition.Whether it’s a tall shelf, some vertical shiplap, or the bare hanging bulb we saw in Michaela Scherrer’s bedroom above, employing one element that emphasizes the vertical space in the room will increase the sense of openness.
It also enhances the feeling of movement and flow.
8. Emphasize the horizontal.
Above: In this bedroom, designer Tiina Laakonen ran horizontal shiplap right up the walls and ceiling. The effect is a seamless transition from wall to ceiling that emphasizes the height and the width of the room. Note also that the curtains are pushed to the side to frame the view. Photograph by Matthew Williams from Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home.It all boils down to creating a sense of movement. Like the leggy furniture that creates a sense of dynamism, or the mirrors that reflect light and a view back into the room, anything that causes your eye to travel around a room in an intentional and orderly fashion will make it feel larger.
(I say “international and orderly” because a cluttered room with lots of distracting elements will also cause your eye to travel, but in a haphazard fashion.
9. Clear a pathway.
Above: In her Napa Valley bungalow, Remodelista’s Sarah Lonsdale cleared a path in her dining room by setting the table to one side rather than at the center of the room. Photograph by Matthew Williams from Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home.When dealing with a small room, one naturally wants to maximize the space by pushing all the pieces to the edges. But if this causes you to bump into things, it can enhance a claustrophobic feel. Sometimes it is better to group the furniture on one side of the room, so people can pass through unhindered.
10. Use breezy fabrics.
Above: To maximize the open, airy feeling of this cozy apartment in Mainz, in western Germany, Lea Korzeczek and Matthias Hiller of Studio Oink employed the reflective power of white floors coupled with breezy, lightweight fabrics.
Photograph courtesy of Studio Oink from Earthly and Ethereal: An Apartment Makeover by Studio Oink.If possible, avoid heavy materials and fabrics that absorb light and weigh your room down. Linen is a perfect example of a lightweight material that will increase the sense of airiness in the room.
11. Above all, keep it simple.
Above: As demonstrated in landscape designer Emily Erlam’s home in Norfolk, keeping your palette and furniture to a minimum serves to create an open feel. Photograph courtesy of Ionana Marinescu from A Rural Remodel in Norfolk, Tithe Barn and Piggery Included.Small spaces are all about editing. The more pieces, possessions, and patterns you have in a room, the more cluttered it will feel. Avoid too many knickknacks or at least group them so they read as an installation. Ditto with art; concentrate your framed pieces on one or two walls. Avoid busy patterns and overwhelming colors. Or, if you absolutely must have that William Morris–esque wallpaper, consider placing it on one accent wall.
Same with color, try painting just one wall or a door and stick to a single shade. Now is not the time to embrace the whole spectrum.
The bottom line is you need to be strict with yourself (actually, this concept applies to all spaces) and intentional about everything that goes into the room. If you go for the wallpaper accent wall, then keep the rest of the room simple. If you need that huge oil painting in your living room, try having it be the only art in the room.
Above: The bare bones treatment of this bedroom by Father Rabbit Limited turns a small space into a restful retreat. Photograph courtesy of Father Rabbit from Shopper’s Diary: Father Rabbit Finds a New Home.Looking for more small-space and other design solutions? See:
- Expert Advice: 10 Secrets for Living in a Small Space
- Christine’s House: Living Small in London
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on December 28, 2015.
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Benjamin Moore $10.99 USD from Benjamin Moore
11 Easy Ways to Make a Small Room Look Bigger
You may lament the lack of space if you're in the process of decorating a small room, but there are plenty of reasons why small is better: small spaces are easier to decorate, easier to keep clean, and easier to organize. So what can you do to make a room look bigger? Think of easy fixes like clearing out clutter, adding reflective surfaces, choosing neutral colors, and more, Read on for more simple tips that will help you make a small room look bigger without breaking the bank.
Clear Out the Clutter
There's nothing that makes a small space feel more cramped than having too much stuff. Work out ways to get collections out of view, organized behind doors, table skirts, or on shelves. With things neatly arranged and out of sight, the space that is in view will feel orderly and open.
Open the Way
When furniture and accessories block the view into a room, it will look cramped.
By moving furniture out and away from walkways, you'll open up the space and make it feel larger. You can also choose short pieces of furniture like an ottoman, an armless open chair, or a low table, and place large, tall pieces along a wall rather than out in the open space. If you can see the floor, the room will look larger.
The Spruce / Sophia Reay
Chooser Soft, Light Hues
Whereas dark, warm colors make space feel cozy and intimate, light, cool colors make space feel open and airy. For optimum effect, select soft tones of blue and green.
Use a Neutral Color Scheme
Choose colors that are in the same family, and use tone-on-tone woven upholstery fabrics, textured wall finishes, and tonal drapery fabrics. Cool colors and delicate warm colors on most surfaces give a small room a more open look.
The Spruce / Sophia Reay
Coordinate Wall and Furniture Colors
Contrasting colors tend to break up a space, making it appear even smaller than it is.
Pieces of furniture that match the wall color are less jarring and tend to blend with the space, giving the illusion of a bigger room.
Let in the Light
Any room will look larger if it's well-lit, either by natural light or artificial lighting. Get rid of heavy draperies, and open up the windows to let the light of the outdoors into the space. Add more lamps or install track lighting or recessed lighting.
Utilize Glass and Lucite
By using materials that you can see through, anything beyond will appear farther away. For example, in a tiny bathroom, get rid of an opaque glass shower enclosure and substitute a clear, frameless one. The room is the same size but it will look bigger. Now you can see all the way to the wall at the back of the shower––it may only be three extra feet, but the difference it makes is dramatic. You can also use glass or lucite for tabletops. With a sturdy base of wood, stone, or metal, the space around the table will open up the view beyond.
The Spruce / Sophia Reay
Add Reflective Surfaces
Use a large framed mirror on a wall, or stand an oversized framed mirror against a wall. You'll get the same room-enlarging effect as a mirrored wall, but with more style. The room and light will be reflected, resulting in a more open feeling. Top a coffee table or side table with a piece of beveled plate mirror, or purchase a mirrored chest of drawers for a similar effect.
Go Big
Use a few large, simple pieces of furniture or accessories in place of several smaller pieces, which makes a small space look cluttered. With open space and large blocks of color, the room will appear to be more calm and comfortable.
Keep the Upholstery Plain
Select solid-colored upholstery for furniture instead of bold plaids, stripes, or prints. Use texture for interest and neutral tones whenever possible.
Stick With Airy, Light Fabrics
Sheer fabrics allow light to pass through window treatments, bed skirts, and table covers.
If you want something other than plain colors, find soft floral vines or simple stripes to keep the look simple.
20 simple tricks - INMYROOM
Interior decor
Tiny kitchen, low ceilings, limited options - you can discuss the disadvantages of small spaces for a long time. We have selected 20 tricks to transform a small space as easy as shelling pears. But talking about ways to solve these problems seems endless. Today we have chosen 20 main techniques for visually modeling a room, with the help of which it is easy to transform a space constrained by a small footage!
Tip #1: Choosing the Right Curtains
When choosing curtains, make sure they match the color of the walls. A similar color scheme will help to make the space more voluminous. In addition, the curtains should not be too thick and heavy. It is best to combine roller blinds and light cotton tulle or curtains.
Trick #2: More Natural Light
Don't use your window sill as a bookshelf and don't plant flowers on it.
Glasses should always be clean: even the smallest room filled with light looks cozy and airy.
Reception No. 3: furniture with legs is a must-have
A sofa or a bed, a coffee table, a chest of drawers, a wardrobe - all furniture should “hover” above the floor, and not grow into it.
Technique #4: Organize the House
Consider storage systems, always put shoes and clothes away. Refuse the abundance of sofa cushions and accessories so that they, in turn, do not create a sense of chaos.
Technique #5: Neutrals - Basics
Pastel light walls are your choice. Choose warm, light colors to decorate the background - walls, ceiling, floor and overall furniture.
Technique #6: Use bespoke tailoring
Don't neglect custom textiles or sew pillow covers, curtains and tablecloths yourself. A single style and color in the textile design of the house helps to visually expand the space.
Technique #7: Multifunctional Furniture
Opt for multifunctional furniture: an armchair-bed, a folding kitchen table, a closet in which the bed is stored, chairs on wheels - the space of small rooms should not be static.
Technique #8: Using Mirrors
Mirrors placed in front of a window visually make the space appear larger. Make wardrobe doors or doors mirrored and the room will look much larger.
Reception No. 9: balance in the choice of furniture
A few dimensional interior items will help visually increase the space. For example, a wide corner sofa can take up half of the room, but if the rest of the furniture is smaller, then the room will look larger in contrast.
Technique #10: Use Ceiling Height
A very simple and functional trick is floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or cabinets. They seem huge, but along with them, the room itself seems larger and higher.
Technique No. 11: Enlarge the window opening with curtains
Hang a wide cornice as close to the ceiling as possible: curtains to the floor will look elegant and visually make the window wider and taller.
Technique #12: Tidy Shelves
Leave space on the shelves so you can create a sense of harmony and give the room a spacious look.
It is better to put heavy books on the lower shelves, and place photographs, trinkets dear to the heart or candles at eye level.
Tip #13: Don't place furniture along the walls
This looks outdated and, contrary to popular belief, does not contribute to the visual expansion of the room. Don't be afraid to place a table or sofa across or even in the middle of the room. Create a cozy functional space, not a dance floor. Then you will stop paying attention to crowding and will just enjoy being at home.
Technique #14: Accent Walls
Highlighting one or more walls with a more saturated color will create the volume that small rooms lack. You can also use floral print wallpaper or decorative plaster.
Technique #15: Bright Ceiling
One of the biggest myths about small rooms is that the ceiling should always be white. This is not true. Paint the ceiling a darker and brighter color and you will be surprised how much more spacious the room will appear.
Technique #16: Striped Floor
This is a bold but very effective solution. The striped floor will create the feeling of an infinitely long or, conversely, wide room.
Technique #17: Place transparent furniture
Glass table and chairs made of high-quality transparent polymers are the perfect solution for small rooms. Even dimensional pieces of furniture look weightless and visually do not clutter up an already small space.
Technique #18: More Lights
Lighting should be varied. Spot lighting of paintings, a lamp above the table, sconces on the walls - this is a great solution for small rooms. It is better if the light is directed upwards - so the ceilings will visually appear higher.
Technique #19: The best decor is works of art
Just because a room is small doesn't mean that art objects shouldn't be there. On the contrary, a large-format picture in an elegant frame will make the room more voluminous.
Technique #20: Tall Doors
A tall doorway raises the ceiling visually and looks stylish and elegant.
10 non-obvious ways to make a small room bigger
1 Solid colors
Almost all tips say that a small room is best decorated in light colors, but at the same time the main shades, even if they are light, in such an interior should be quite a bit, ideally one or two. Therefore, before repairing and decorating, select the main color, find its name according to the Pantone table and at the same time write down a couple of the next shades. This will simplify the search for finishing materials. Print the selected shades on a color printer and go with them to a furniture store, behind curtains and doors, so as not to try to determine “by eye” how much they will fit into the interior.
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2 Clean straight lines
The smaller the room, the easier it should be perceived. Therefore, choose laconic furniture without unnecessary decorations, avoid a large number of accessories on the walls.
Ideally, if there are no large differences in height or a bright contrast of shape and material between adjacent pieces of furniture.
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3 Lack of small details
Don't rush to complete the room with a lot of small and flashy accessories. Start with some minimalism, let yourself get used to the interior and understand what accents it lacks. Perhaps a couple of well-chosen little things will perfectly complete the image. But the excess will make the room overloaded and emphasize a small area. This is especially true of window sills - it is better to leave them empty and not force the window.
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4 Open storage
You have to be careful with open shelves and racks - they must not be overloaded and must be kept in order.
In addition, the rule of maintaining a single color direction applies to them too. Therefore, if you need a bookshelf, take care of the same book covers, this will preserve their appearance and turn them into beautiful accessories.
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5 Furniture with legs
Try to find furniture with legs for a small room: sofa, wardrobe, armchairs. Legs make any furniture visually a little lighter, which will benefit the interior.
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6 Tall cabinets
Surprisingly, ceiling-height cabinets look better in a small space than dressers and two-thirds of the height of the room. The fact is that visually they look like a continuation of the wall, especially if they match in color with it. This is true for both the bedroom and the kitchen. In addition, it will increase the amount of storage area.
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7 Floor to match the walls
bedrooms. If this is not possible, try to find a light carpet.
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8 Wallpaper with discreet pattern
When choosing wallpaper, pay attention to models with discreet pattern, textured. Due to the fact that the interior does not have a wide variety of colors, the room may look a little boring and a variety of textures will solve this problem. You can try to decorate a contrasting wall with light wallpaper with a small, infrequently repeated bright pattern, for example, polka dots or small flowers.
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