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What colour makes room look bigger


7 Tips to Make a Room Look Bigger

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Need to add some pizzazz to a small space? When outfitting small spaces, everything counts. With a few well-placed items and smart design choices, you can actually make a room look bigger. 

Ready to transform your space? Here are seven tips for making your small room look much bigger.

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7 easy tips to make a room look bigger

1. Use contrasts and light colors  Photographee.eu / Shutterstock

Here’s how to make a room look bigger with color. (Hint: It’s an optical illusion.) In the design world, it’s well known that light paint colors make a room look bigger and brighter. Light and bright walls are more reflective, making a space feel open and airy, which helps maximize natural light’s effect. Dark shades tend to absorb light, making rooms feel smaller. 

Accenting walls to make a room look bigger is another way to go. Accent walls add to the decorative space in color without being too overpowering. Start your painting journey with a color palette that suits your style.

So, what colors make a room look bigger? For an optimum effect, go with soft tones like off-white, blues, and greens, and always remember that brighter rooms feel bigger and more inviting. And here’s another hack: Try painting your wall trim and moldings in a lighter color than your walls. By doing so, the walls will appear farther back, making your living room seem even bigger. To get you started, consider looking at some of the best neutral colors.  

2. Open up your space with creative lighting

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Natural light opens up the interior of any room and makes it look larger. That’s great if you have natural light. If you don’t, that’s totally fine. Add some creative lighting effects using light fixtures. You’ll be amazed at how this small addition can make a big difference.

If you have access to natural light, bringing it into your home through large windows will instantly connect the room with the outdoors, no longer limiting your space. Use sheer window curtains, or pull them back completely, to allow more light in. If the view is bad, put plants or flowers near the windows and use lamps to brighten the space.

3. Cut the clutter

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Keeping a room tidy and organized can physically and visually open up space in any room. With things neatly arranged and out of sight, the space that is in view will feel orderly and open. Try to keep the floor as clear as possible. Remove large rugs to create the illusion of more floor space.

This approach also applies to your walls. Don’t cover your walls with a lot of pictures. One large painting or tapestry works better than a group of small paintings when you’re thinking about how to make a room look bigger.

4. Create a focal point

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Learn how to make a room look bigger through an established focal point — one area or feature that will draw the eye’s attention. In the dining room, that’s probably the table. In the bedroom, it’s the bed.

Make that focal point the star of the room. Arrange the furniture so that focus is drawn to that area, and keep the décor in the rest of the room to a minimum (limit the number of accessories).

Yvonne Pratt, a designer at StoneGable, calls the focal point “the star” of its space. She explains how you identify that star and shares some examples like fireplaces, large art, or a window “with a breathing view.” 

5. Use mirrors

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If you’ve ever wondered, “Can mirrors actually make a room look bigger?” the answer is a resounding yes. Mirrors can make your room look larger and more open. Use a focal point and angle your mirrors toward it to give the illusion of depth. 

Leoma Harper, interior design expert with Style the Clutter, says that mirrors can, “totally transform a space, reflecting light into dark corners, frame details, help you get ready in the morning, but most importantly, they can completely open up a room giving the illusion of space and light.”  

Mirrors also reflect both natural and artificial light to make a room brighter during the day and night. Placing a mirror near a window to reflect the world outside is especially effective.

Mirrors on the walls and glass table tops also will give your room a more open feel, or use mirrored cabinet doors. Ever considered mirrors on the floor? That’s another clever way to make a room look bigger.

6. Get creative with furniture

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Using the right furniture is a key way to make a room look bigger. You can use multi-functional furniture, such as a chest that can be used as a coffee table, a sofa bed, or a bed with storage drawers. Expandable dining tables, folding tables, and nesting tables, which can be tucked away when you don’t need them, are also good picks.

Keep in mind that tall and bulky furniture can take up precious space. Choose a sofa and chairs with open arms and exposed legs. This allows light to filter under the furniture, making the room appear airier.

7. Maximize your room arrangement

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Scale your furniture to fit the size of the room. Place larger pieces of furniture against the walls to maximize the open space and make a small room look bigger. Also, don’t block pathways. If furniture and accessories block the view into a room, it will look cramped.

The longest straight line in any room is the diagonal. When you place your furniture at an angle, it leads the eye along the longer wall. Bonus: You often get some additional storage space behind the piece.

Making the most of your space can also be achieved by floating shelves or creative uses of closet space as well. Have an empty wall? 

Color techniques, furniture arranging, mirror placement, and creative lighting design can fool the eye and make interiors seem much more spacious than they actually are. But don’t stop there – let your interior designer side take over, and discover what works best for your home. 

Frequently asked questions

Q:

What colors make a room look bigger?

A:

If you’re searching for colors that make a room look bigger, look for light colors, like off-white, dusty blue, light gray, and sage green.

Q:

Do built-ins make a room look bigger?

A:

You can learn how to make a room look bigger by maximizing space through the use of built-ins or multifunctional furniture. This gives you a place for clutter while also maximizing precious storage space.

Q:

What furniture style can make a room look bigger?

A:

Multifunctional furniture, or pieces that can double as other items, is a good way to make a room look bigger, as are pieces with exposed legs.

Q:

What colors make a living room look bigger?

A:

The decorating rules for any  room apply to living rooms as well. If you want to make your living room look bigger, stick to lighter colors that reflect more light and make the space feel more open. Neutrals, like off-white, beige, or light grays, are a great way to add a level of sophistication and calm.

Virginia Brown contributed to this post.

6 Paint Colors That Make a Room Look Bigger

Graphic by Cristina Cianci

Small rooms can be tricky to decorate. Beyond the simple issue of having to triple-measure furniture for size and crafting the best layout for your space, paint color can actually have a huge impact on how big or small your space feels—and this decision goes beyond pure color choices. Paint a room in a color that's on the darker side, and you may make a light-filled room feel smaller. But use a stark white paint color in a north-facing room, and you may end up with a classic "white box syndrome"—a sad white room with no personality.

There are a ton of variants that dictate which color you should choose for your small room, like the direction that the windows of your space are facing. Dark colors work best in north-facing rooms, while light ones will look better in bright south-facing spaces. Sunset hues can do wonders to a west-facing room, especially at dusk.

Ahead, find the top 6 paint colors that will make any room—of any size—look instantly larger.

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Courtesy of ASH NYC

Naturally, white is an obvious choice for making a room feel bigger. It's no secret that light colors make a room look larger, especially if the space is bathed in natural light. Eggshell or satin finishes will help reflect the light, creating the appearance of even more space. 

What's more, it works no matter your aesthetic or room type. Whether it's a modern kitchen, deco living room, or country-inspired bedroom, white is a great palette to begin your decor process.

Use this color in: South-facing rooms

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Courtesy of Tali Roth

Conversely to white, in a room with little to no natural light, white may not be the way to go. With no light bouncing off the walls, the color could have the opposite effect on your space. Lean into the lack of sun, though, and go fully into the dark realm.

Instead of white, a dark hue like charcoal or black will give the space an intimate feel while simultaneously giving it an appearance of grandeur—especially if the ceiling and trim are also painted in the same hue.  

Use this color in: North-facing rooms

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Becca Interiors

For those who aren't willing to go entirely white but still want a light neutral paint color for their room, a light taupe or greige can make a space feel large and elegant. It is still bright enough to allow the light to bounce off from one wall to another, but adds a touch of warmth that a true bright white doesn't have.

This rich tone has the potential to make a room look expensive, so use it in a space with little architectural detailing to give it stature. When using this color, it helps to keep other furnishings white in the room to help give the space a light and airy feel.

Use this color in: Rooms with no architectural details

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Courtesy of Fantastic Frank

A soft shade of blush pink can brighten up a small room and make it feel cheery and light—and it looks wonderful at sunset hour. This hue works best in a room with more natural light and is well complemented with light warm neutral tones like beige, sand, and ivory. Paint the ceiling in the same hue for an enveloping feel.

Don't be fooled by pink acting as an ultimate feminine tone, either (though it can!). The pale blush is also a great compliment to more masculine woods, modern metals, and luxe velvet or leather furniture as well.

Use this color in: West-facing rooms

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KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

In rooms with little bit of natural light, a deep navy hue can create an impression of depth and make a space feel dramatic and stately. If you want that romantic and cozy feel that a black room would give you, but not willing to take the plunge into the absence of color, navy is the way to go.

When painting your walls in a navy color, it also helps to keep large furniture like sofas in the same hue to blur the lines between the edges of the room and making it feel larger. This also makes it a great choice for rooms with cabinetry like kitchens and libraries. Pro tip? The monochromatic styling works equally well, no matter what color you're dealing with.

Use this color in: Kitchens and libraries with little natural light

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Courtesy of Brady Tolbert

A great alternative to a white paint color is a light cool gray, which can feel fresh and bright without the starkness of pure white. Cool colors feel fresher and brighter than warm ones, so it helps visually create the appearance of more space. Use this color in a room with moderate amounts of light to give the space a cozy but expansive feel.

A light grey brings the crisp and bright quality that a bright white does, allowing light to bounce off the walls, while it also keeps the room remaining cool, as opposed to the warmth that a taupe would infuse.

Use this color in: An east or west-facing room

Here's How to Make a Narrow Room Look Wider

How to visually enlarge a room

To expand the space of a small-sized room, you can combine two rooms into one, but for this you will need to collect a package of documents and obtain permission for redevelopment from the relevant local authorities, while it is far from always possible to obtain such consent simply due to the peculiarities of Russian legislation.

There is an easier option to increase the space. Let's figure out which wallpapers make the room visually larger, what furniture and lighting you need to choose for these purposes, how to visually expand the room with curtains or change the color of the walls. nine0003

Which colors make the space bigger

It is known that dark colors in the interior and decoration of the room visually compress the space and, in principle, act depressingly on the psyche and mood of the owners. And if at the same time the windows also do not face the sunny side, then the room will always look like a closet, no matter how expensive furniture you furnish it with.

What color to paint the walls, floor and ceiling to make the room seem bigger:

- The best choice would be cold pastel shades - vanilla, beige, milky. nine0013 - The boundaries will blur if one of the walls is painted with a bright color.
- The ceiling and walls should be the same color, or the ceiling can be made lighter by several shades.

Bright or contrasting colors, even as accents, are undesirable. They enliven the interior, but do not contribute to a visual increase in space, rather the opposite.

Furniture should also be purchased in light shades, but slightly different in tone from the color of the walls, floor and ceiling. It is better to purchase interior items with legs or without legs, but mount them to the walls. This effect of floating above the floor will also make the room more spacious. In addition, it is worth giving preference to furniture with mirror and glass surfaces or made of plastic. nine0003

What kind of wall decoration visually expands and enlarges the room

Small rooms do not have to be square, more often they are rectangular, and sometimes also elongated at the same time, like a tunnel. There is another way to visually correct an unsuccessful layout and at the same time increase the area.

What wall decoration visually increases the space:

- With a discreet ornament, because large patterns "eat up" the area. nine0013 - For rooms with a low ceiling, you can purchase wallpaper with vertical stripes, wallpaper with horizontal lines will help expand the boundaries between opposite walls.

In general, the main color of the wallpaper should also be light.

How to expand the space with curtains

Massive curtains with lambrequins or some decorative details and accessories make the space heavier. Not last in this regard is the pattern: large patterns, as in the case of wallpaper, are undesirable to choose. nine0003

Give preference to tulle, rayon, cambric, muslin or organza. The fabric should be light, transparent or the same tone as the walls, you can choose striped products, the classic version is the alternation of stripes of two different light shades.

Perfectly look curtains, collected in a large fold, flowing from the ceiling to the floor, without decor and tiebacks.

How to make a small room look bigger with lighting

To visually enlarge the room, it is necessary to correctly select the sources of lighting. nine0003

How to visually enlarge a small room:

- Transparent curtains or their absence will contribute to the penetration of natural light. On an artificial day, you should not purchase a massive chandelier located in the center of the ceiling, especially since it will not be able to illuminate all corners.
- Organize multi-level lighting using spotlights evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe ceiling or along its perimeter (then you can hang a flat lamp in the center). In the evenings, floor lamps and sconces will help to create a cozy atmosphere and additionally illuminate dark corners. nine0013

In addition, you can achieve the effect of increasing space with the help of mirrors, placing them opposite windows or doors and in the corners. True, you should not get too carried away with this technique. For example, if you install mirrored surfaces opposite cabinets or shelves, or make one of the walls completely mirrored, you can achieve the opposite effect or make the interior lifeless and unnatural.

If you cannot do without decorative items, then try not to use them in large quantities. Paintings or photographs on the walls must be hung above eye level. Non-standard decor elements - antique boxes, unusually shaped vases or original lamps - should be spaced far from each other. They will be bright accents in a bright room and at the same time will not clutter up the space. nine0003

How to visually enlarge a room with color

Contents

Small rooms have their own charm because they are very cozy. However, there is always a desire to visually enlarge it. There are many ways to make a small room look bigger and more spacious. The main role here will certainly be played by the colors of the walls, but contrary to appearances, white is not the only color that can be allowed. Painting a small room can also involve creating an original, surprising interior - using well-chosen colors. nine0003

What color to use to make the room look bigger?

Although this is not a new idea, it should be noted here: light colors of the walls optically increase the interior, while dark colors reduce it. However, a skillful combination of light and dark colors can give a very good effect in the form of an optical enlargement of a room. Colors that enhance a room are undoubtedly white, light gray and blue.

It is also worth remembering that cold colors optically move walls away, while warm colors bring them closer together. Cool tones reflect light and warm tones absorb it. This also applies to paint finishes: matte absorbs light, while slightly shiny (satin) reflects it. nine0013 When planning the optical enlargement of a small room, white is the most commonly used color. And while white was once just white, there are now a range of shades to choose from. The most famous (although not so often used) is snow-white. For more effect, you can combine it with a shade of another color, such as pink, vanilla or pastel blue. Also pure white looks great with a brighter color on the wall next to it or on furniture. In turn, the so-called off-white is a good neighborhood with neutral colors or pastels. nine0003

How to enlarge a room with paints? About equipment and accessories

Playing, deceiving the eye and trying to visually enlarge the room, you should not only choose the right color for the walls, but also the furniture and accessories. Bright furniture, especially beige, light gray and white, will fit perfectly into a small room.
A good way to visually enlarge a small room is to hang a large mirror in it. The best effect can be achieved if the mirror is frameless. The mirror should reflect something that will be interesting to look at - a beautiful bedspread, a favorite picture or a large green flower. nine0003

Photo wallpaper can also be used to create the illusion of space. It can be, for example, a path leading into the middle of the jungle, a street from which a Greek city is visible, or a suspension bridge through the trees.
In a small room, it is better to refrain from hanging heavy curtains and curtains. Instead, you should install blinds or light white delicate curtains.

How to paint a small room to add character to it?

When furnishing a small room, it is worth considering not only its optical magnification, but its uniqueness and originality. Several methods can be used here. Choose at least two paint colors for the room, such as from the same color palette but in a different shade: mint and light green, as well as heavily bleached pink and very light lilac. nine0003

Painting one wall a richer, darker color also gives a fantastic effect. It can be a wall near a desk or behind a TV. It is better not to paint all the walls in a dark color. It is also worth remembering that the floor and ceiling remain light. The only exception is apartments in apartment buildings, where the height of the rooms is 4-5 meters.

A long and narrow room can not only be enlarged optically, but its proportions can also be evened out. In this case, longer walls are visually removed by painting them with cold-colored paint, and shorter ones are brought closer by painting them with warm-colored paint. Another equally effective way is to paint the narrower wall a rich color that contrasts with the rest of the walls. Such a procedure will make it seem further than it actually is. nine0003

Techniques for furnishing a small room

Choosing the right color for walls, furniture and accessories is not the only way to make a small room look bigger. Sometimes quite satisfactory results can be achieved with little cost and effort. For example, a ceiling can be optically elevated by painting it a pure satin white, and white stripe can be minimized (or eliminated) at the top of painted walls. On the other hand, the wider the strip, the greater the effect of dividing the walls. Here it is worth deciding whether you need to optically enlarge the ceiling or visually expand the walls. nine0003

Vertical stripes on the walls will visually elevate the room, while horizontal stripes will expand the interior. In a small room it is good to use shades of the same color. For example, wallpapers with white stripes of different shades will look beautiful.
Total look white room is a great way to optically enlarge a room. A white floor and white walls will blur the boundaries between the planes, making the room seem larger, and white furniture and accessories against such a backdrop will further enhance this effect. nine0003

Furnishing a small space with plenty of storage space

Even if you use color tricks in a small room to make it look larger or to accommodate bright, light-colored furniture. or even decorated in white, it will be useless if you do not take care of enough storage space. Things placed on open shelves, scattered anywhere due to lack of storage space, make the room look smaller.

For example, books are best stored in light-colored thin shelves or bookcases.

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