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Painting tricks to make a room look bigger


7 Easy Ways for How to Make a Room Look Bigger

Your home can have rooms that are too big, too small, or exactly right – although that last may seem elusive. It may seem easier to fill a large space with more furniture than making a small space appear larger than it is. In this blog, we look at how to make a room look bigger, and in the process, make it function in ways you never imagined.

There are some benefits to having a smaller space to work with as you are decorating. It is easier to organize, and you need fewer furnishings to fill it up. The services of an interior designer can be invaluable when working with a small space to help you get the most out of your surroundings.

When you are trying to decide how to make a small room look bigger in your home, consider the following:

Paint and Color

People often ask what colors make a room look bigger when they are getting ready to paint the inside of their home. Light and dark colors, creating contrast, can give a room depth. When you look at how to make a small room look bigger with paint, keep in mind that medium shades will make your space appear smaller than it is. Using dark and bright white colors that open up a room, in contrast, creates the illusion of a much larger area.

Small rooms are not always square. Some may be narrow and long. When considering how to make a narrow room look wider with paint, keep in mind that light and cool colors recede – they seem farther away. Warm, dark colors advance towards us. For long narrow spaces, paint the opposing shorter walls a slightly darker (one or two shades) color than the two longer walls. That will make them feel closer, giving the image of a square shape. Conversely, you can also paint the longer walls a darker shade, emphasizing the room’s length – depending on which way you want to present the space.

Some painting techniques to make a room look bigger include:

When considering colors that make a room look bigger, white, in its many shades, is always an optimum choice. Its reflective qualities help to open a space and make it appear light and airy.

For more painting room ideas, check out the image below, showing how different painting options can change the appearance of your space.

Furniture

Next up in our ideas to make a small room look bigger is choosing furniture wisely. Now is the time to think about proportions. If you put your furniture up against the walls, it will make the room appear smaller. By leaving some air between the walls and your furniture, you create a feeling of roominess.

It is also good to avoid large, heavy pieces of furniture. Not only do they use up too much space in a small room, but they also draw all the focus to that part of the room. If you have tall pieces of furniture, place those against the wall to avoid breaking up the room.

Another way to make a room look bigger with furniture is to keep the furnishings lower to the ground. That also helps add more height to a low room be leaving more space above them. A chair such as the one below is an excellent example of keeping furniture lower in the room. Because it also shows the legs, it allows space, air, and light to flow around it.

Lighting

Natural light is one of the best ways to make a room look bigger. Remove the blinds and allow light to flow into your space. If possible, add some skylights to the room so that light can stream in from above.

When working with artificial lighting, place a few lamps around the room rather than one light overhead. Multiple light sources help expand the feel of the room and create ambient and even lighting.

Mirrors

Mirrors are an excellent way to make a room look bigger as they help reflect and bounce light from the windows. Another benefit of hanging a mirror on the wall is that it reflects the view and tricks the eye into the perception of increased space.

Drapery

Just as high heels will make any woman appear taller, floor-to-ceiling drapery will provide an instant height boost to any room.

Another option is to eliminate curtains, as they only add more for the eye to look at. If you do want drapes, consider breezy, lightweight fabrics, which provide an airy touch.

Decorations and Artwork

The décor you use in your room can make it seem smaller by cluttering up your space. Every surface of your room does not need to be covered in décor. The more you can open it up and let it “breathe,” the larger the space will feel. Place décor arrangements in groupings of 3 or 5 items on tables or dressers. Placing them on a tray helps to reduce the visual clutter.

Utilizing one large-scale piece of artwork on a wall rather than a gallery display of smaller ones will help open the room. If you do have many smaller pictures to display, place them all on one wall.

Reduce Clutter

Clutter is the enemy of small spaces. If you wonder how to make small rooms look bigger, getting rid of clutter is the number one thing you can do right now. That does not mean getting rid of your cherished items – it means finding creative ways to store them out of sight.

That optical illusion is especially important when thinking about how to make a small bedroom look bigger. The bedroom is our safe space – it is where we go to unwind and relax. It is hard to get a restful night’s sleep when clutter is all around you.

Baskets, such as those below, placed in the corner, can hold extra blankets, magazines, books, and pet toys out of the way. Goodbye clutter – hello space!

Another excellent way to make a room look bigger while eliminating clutter is with shelving units. Placed on either end of a window, you can even put a storage bench between them to create a window seat in a bedroom.

An excellent option is the Almora shelving unit shown below. The open back of the cubes allows for the light walls to shine through while providing plenty of room for your favorite books and decorations.

There you have it – many ways for how to make a room look bigger that are both beautiful to behold and functional at the same time.

The HK Collection is a beautifully curated collection of fine furnishings and décor for your home. We can help you find that special piece for any room or design.

Contact HK Interiors today at 954-401-8542 for all your interior design needs and more information.

Four Clever Ways to Use Paint to Make Any Small Space Look Bigger

Getting savvy with colors can help you open up tiny rooms.

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Maybe some days you see your small space as "cozy" or "intimate"-other days, however, you wish it was simply bigger. Either way, if you've found yourself dreaming of a wide open room but aren't quite ready to break down any walls, we've got an alternative: paint them. Sure, you could do some serious DIY renovating to expand a small space, but who doesn't love a quicker, more affordable, and stylish solution? By choosing certain shades over others, you can instantly create the illusion of a larger room, higher ceilings, and even more natural light. To that end, we asked the experts for their best tips on how to use paint to transform any small space into a design dream come true.

Choose the Right Ceiling Color

When it comes to tricking the eye into seeing a room as bigger than it really is, Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball says, "Choose a ceiling color that is in the same range of hues to the color of the walls. This way, you are less aware of where the walls end and the ceiling begins." Another trick? Use the same color to paint your woodwork (like cabinets, trims, and crown molding) as you used on the walls-this can make your walls appear taller. If you're feeling especially crafty, Nivara Xaykao, a color specialist at Benjamin Moore, suggests a coloring technique that, though challenging, can help heighten a room with a rather low ceiling. "Try extending the color of your wall up a few inches onto the ceiling to create the illusion of a taller tray ceiling," says Xaykao. "Then, paint the remaining inside of the ceiling white."

Contrast Your Colors

While some basic color rules apply in optimizing small spaces (like avoiding light paints in light-starved rooms), that doesn't mean you can't play around with fun palettes. In fact, Xaykao says that a combination of neutral yet high-contrasting colors can easily help expand a narrow room. "Think of the way black-and-white stripes can accentuate different parts of a body," she explains. "To create the illusion of a wider space, you can also combine high-contrast colors like black and white. A favorite combination of ours is Chantilly Lace OC-65 with Flint AF-560."

Don't Fear Dark

If your small space doesn't get much natural light, you might think opting for a lighter color may be your best bet-however, Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr, says that darker colors push the boundaries of the wall out and actually create a more spacious feel. You can go for that bolder hue if you're craving a pop of color, but just remember to test-run how it looks under your light (you can do this by springing for a few sample sizes of your favorite paints and painting a small swatch on your wall). "In small spaces, it's likely you're reliant on artificial lighting so it's especially important to see how the lighting impacts the colors and reflections," says Woelfel. "Darker shades like Behr's Battleship Gray and Graphic Charcoal can actually open up a space as long as it's paired with clean white trim."

If you have a decent amount of natural light and would like to find a way to maximize those rays in your room, Cosby recommends considering colors with warmer tones, like Farrow & Ball's Joa's White or Brinjal. "To create as much light as possible, look at colors like Pale Powder or Teresa's Green which will really come alive in sunlight," she says.

Showcase with Sheen

Choosing the right finish to your paint color is another simple way to trick the eye into seeing a larger room. To optimize a room's little natural light, Xaykao says, "Deploy a higher gloss on surfaces that will catch the light and scatter it throughout the room." If you're trying to open up a tiny bathroom or kitchen, choosing a high-gloss sheen will also be your best choice as it's one of the more moisture-resistant sheens and can also withstand scrubbing should spills and splatters arise.

8 expert tips — INMYROOM

Interior decor

How to visually enlarge the space in a narrow room? The eternal question that worries many. Today it is answered by our experts - Sophie Mu and Natalia Mitina

The help of specialists is always needed, especially when it comes to redevelopment, room decoration or problems, that arise in the process of altering the interior.

Today we will talk about how you can visually enlarge the space of a narrow room. This is one of the most common questions that concern many. We turned to the experts for help. nine0009

Sophie Mu

Specialized higher education - designer of the architectural environment. She studied in Moscow, then in Italy. Behind 4 years of hard work and self-improvement. Hobbies: urban studies, event decor, photography.

Tip #1

For of any visual extension, light is the best friend. For example, spots directed at the walls from the center of the ceiling, save a long narrow corridor. In the far at the end of a narrow room, you can place an attention-grabbing accent - a picture, wallpaper with a large print, large, active wall decor. This will attract Attention. And the rest of the walls, on the contrary, make neutral and light. nine0003

Tip #2


Known and a very tasty reception is, of course, strips. Indeed, if you position the flooring installation perpendicular to the long walls and emphasize this with striped wallpaper on a "short" wall, it will turn out light, but noticeable expansion effect.

An interesting wide stripe and bright colors are very possible. accent colors. And of course, you should pay attention not only to the stripes, but also in the op art style. Wallpaper in the style of Karim Rashid, consisting of lines that change shape space through optical illusions. nine0003

Tip #3

Cross forms, ceiling beams, linear fixtures and furniture that does not stand along the walls, and, if possible, in the center of space - these are our allies in mitigating the effect corridor in the living room. For example, a group of sofas and armchairs in a long space is best placed in the center of the room, if the overall area, thus creating a visual and functional barrier.

Tip #4


Interesting also play with the shape of the space. Make asymmetry on the ceiling, at an angle lay the floor, support new directions with walls. This is a bold decision that departs from the standards, but allows you to add dynamics and generally take away space from rectangles. But it is better to entrust such a subtle play of forms professionals! nine0003

Natalia Mitina

Architect and interior designer

Head of Koncepcija studio, board member of the Latvian Designers Union. Repeated winner of the Latvian Designers' Union award in the "Project of the Year" nomination, participant in the Latvian version of the "Housing Problem" program.

Tip #1


Not lay parquet or laminate along the room. Yes, in long narrow rooms often the window is located on the end wall, and according to all the rules, parquet is needed lay perpendicular to the window. But in this case it can only emphasize room imperfections. nine0003

Ideal use of square switchboard modules parquet with laying at 45 degrees. You can lay the parquet diagonally. Or completely abandon the floor covering with a "striped" structure in favor of plain - linoleum, carpet, cork, etc.

Tip #2


Avoid put furniture along long walls. Any furniture - cabinets, tables, sofas. By split the space, divide it into functional zones using pieces of furniture. Place them across the room. nine0003

End wall with window very convenient to place a desk. And if at the end of the room put a wardrobe or books - this will visually improve the proportions of the room.

Tip #3


Use light to visually expand the space - place on ceiling fixtures of directional light, direct the luminous flux to long walls. Choose the lamps themselves as neutral and inconspicuous as possible.

Comparatively recently appeared gypsum built-in lamps. They have a white gypsum body, they fit into the gypsum ceiling and plastered. Thus, the lamp is not visible, only light remains. nine0003

Tip #4


The most banal. Use color contrast. In order to expand a long narrow room, you need to paint the long walls in light neutral or cold shades. If you use wallpaper, then only with non-contrasting and unobtrusive pattern, preferably very small.

But on end walls, on the contrary, use active bright colors, warm and rich, large drawings, spectacular patterns. With this approach, you will short walls and widen long ones, improve the proportions of the room. nine0003

ideas for a small space, 79 interior photos

What colors make the space bigger?

Everyone knows that the lighter the shade, the larger the object appears. The same technique applies to interior solutions. In order to visually increase the area of ​​​​the room, it is worth using a finish in light colors: white and cold pastel shades. Furniture should also be used in a light color, but different in tone from the walls, ceiling and floor. For example, it can be a delicate pastel range. nine0003

The photo shows a compact kitchen in Khrushchev. In order to visually increase the area, the room was decorated in bright colors.

How to decorate the walls?

Wallpaper that makes a room bigger

With some decorating tricks, you can push the boundaries of the room and visually enlarge the room.

In the photo, the wall is decorated with wallpaper with horizontal stripes, this type of decoration visually increases the width of the room.

In the photo, the accent wall in the bedroom is decorated with gold wallpaper with a shiny surface.

What drawings increase the room

It would seem that simple drawings and geometric shapes miraculously affect our perception. The same pattern with a different color, scale or location dramatically change the appearance of the room.

Wall mural that enlarges a room

An image can increase or, on the contrary, reduce the area of ​​a room.

Ways to increase the ceiling

The easiest and most popular way to increase the room due to the ceiling is to make a tensile structure with a glossy surface. Mirror material due to reflective properties will double the space. An interesting solution would be a combined ceiling, a combination of matte and glossy material can create an unusual composition, increasing precious square meters. nine0003

In the photo, the ceiling in the living room is decorated with a tensile structure with a glossy surface.

A disproportionate room can be evened out by combining colors. A strip of a darker shade across an elongated room will make it appear wider. The same effect can be achieved with ceiling beams, a few straight wooden beams will be enough.

Another way to increase the space is to print with the sky. nine0003

Choice of flooring

Flooring, like other surfaces, is predominantly made in light shades. For the living room, you can use laminate, linoleum or carpet, it is better to choose a solid color or with a small discreet pattern.

Laminate and parquet can be laid diagonally or in a herringbone pattern, making the room appear larger.

The already familiar stripes are also used, the direction to either side will enlarge the room in the desired direction. nine0003

In the photo, horizontal stripes make a narrow kitchen look wider.

A self-leveling floor with a reflective effect will double the space.

How to increase the height of the room?

There are several ways to make a room taller. One of them is wall decoration. Vertical stripes or patterns on the wallpaper will "stretch" the wall. It can be wallpaper, painting or hand painting.

Photo wallpapers with a perspective image, for example, a receding path in the forest or a high waterfall, will have the same result. nine0003

Photo wallpaper with a perspective image (a receding pier) that helps visually increase the height of a small bedroom.

Increase the height of the room with high door and window openings. Curtains or tulle with a straight cut from ceiling to floor will also contribute to this.

Mirrors are a stylish way to significantly increase the area, such as a tall mirror on the wall or a composition of small mirrors on the ceiling.

How to visually expand a narrow room?

You can expand a narrow room by fairly simple means, without resorting to building work. What to do if you got a room of imperfect proportions? It is necessary to take up their “correction” already at the stage of repair and finishing.

If you do not plan to do repairs, but you want to visually expand a narrow room, you can use simple and affordable techniques for everyone. nine0003

Make a room bigger with mirrors and glass

Reflective surfaces are the most common and effective way to increase the boundaries of space. With the help of mirrors, even the most compact room will seem spacious.

In the photo, the accent wall is decorated with mirrored canvases that make the bedroom visually more spacious.

A tall mirror starting from the floor will add volume to the room, creating a passage to another room without any obstacles. It should be borne in mind that covering more than one wall with mirrors is not the best option; instead of a stylish living room or bedroom, you get a real ballet studio, devoid of comfort and homely atmosphere. nine0003

Mirrors can have different shapes and frames, with unusual frames they will also play the function of a decorative element of the apartment. Curly mirrors can make an unusual composition on the wall or ceiling, they will unobtrusively increase the volume.

Another common way to increase space is a stretch ceiling with a glossy surface.

The perfect solution would be to install mirrored or glossy furniture. nine0003

A false fireplace with a mirror along the inner wall will be an interesting design solution. Such decoration takes up a minimum amount of space, while creating the illusion of passage to another room.

If it is necessary to separate rooms, a glass partition will perform the function of a wall. It will not create the impression of a closed space, but will divide the room into zones.

Photos of compact furniture and decor

When choosing furniture for a small room, you should give preference to low objects. For example, instead of high bar stools, put a stool or ottoman, a bed without a high headboard or a sofa with a low back. nine0003

Weightless transparent furniture performs its direct functions without overloading the space, it can be plastic chairs and a table with a glass surface.

The photo shows a transparent dining group in the interior of a small kitchen.

Pieces of furniture should be placed along the walls so that the central part of the room remains free.

Interior details and accessories are best used in a vertical form. Such techniques will help visually increase the height of the ceiling. nine0003

As for decorative elements, there should not be too many of them, otherwise you can get a feeling of clutter.

Selection of curtains

Window decoration plays an important role in the design of the apartment. The selected material and cut will fill the room with space or, on the contrary, overload it.

Choosing the right lighting

In a small apartment it is worth using diffused light. Bright chandeliers with transparent shades or open light are not suitable for a small room. It is more appropriate to use lamps and chandeliers with frosted glass shades or a light shade. nine0003

To increase the width of the room, use a spot lighting system around the entire perimeter.

An interesting effect will be provided by LED strip lighting. The tape, recessed in a two-tier structure, will create the impression of a soaring ceiling.

Furniture items can also be decorated with LED strip.

In the photo, the bed in the children's room is illuminated with LED strip.

How to make a bathroom look bigger? nine0017

In a small bathroom, the best idea would be to decorate the walls and floor with light-coloured tiles. White tiles will fill the bathroom with light as much as possible and visually increase the area.

Combining the two colors, a horizontal line in a brighter shade is a good option, this will expand the walls.

Finishing the ceiling with mirrored metal panels will increase the space.

A large mirror above the sink will also play its role. nine0003

In the photo, white tiles fill the bathroom with light, the mirror above the sink visually enlarges its area.

Spotlights and mirror lighting should be chosen as lighting.

Furniture plays an important role, such as shelves recessed into the wall and a narrow sink. You can save usable space by placing the washing machine under the sink.

Even the most compact apartment can be made comfortable by placing everything you need for life. Modern technologies allow you to create miniature appliances and mobile furniture that save the maximum amount of free space.

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