How to Make Small Spaces Feel Larger

When it comes to interior design, it’s fair to say that size matters. How big or small a room is can have a huge impact on not only the interior style you choose but also the objects you fill it with. And some rooms are more challenging than others.

Whether you’ve chosen to downsize, live in a busy city or just have that one pesky room that you don’t know what to do with, decorating tight spaces can be tricky. Luckily, there are plenty of things that you can do to make your interior look big and spacious. Here are my top tips for making small rooms feel larger.

Colors

A light color scheme can work wonders in making a small home feel large and spacious. This is because light colors are more reflective and help to bounce sunlight around the room, creating the illusion of space. Dark colors, on the other hand, absorb light, making small rooms feel even more cramped.

However, that’s not to say that you need to go all-white to make the most of your room. Light taupe or greige can bring a sense of warmth to your home and are also incredibly versatile. If you like a bit more color in your interior, light blues or greens can create a cozy feel without making your space feel small. Blush pink is also a great option and works beautifully with neutral tones and natural materials like wood and rattan. To prevent your interior from looking too busy, it’s a good idea to stick to a palette of just three colors.

Clutter

An easy fix for making a small room feel larger is to get rid of any clutter that’s taking up extra space. A good ‘Marie Kondo’ of your home will not only revitalize it but will leave enough room for your furniture and decor to breathe. This is especially important when you’re not working with much floor space as it doesn’t take much for a room to feel overwhelmed.

If you can’t bring yourself to get rid of anything it’s worth looking into some clever storage to keep your clutter out of sight. You could swap out your coffee table for one with a lid or with shelves or drawers underneath. You could get some storage boxes that fit under your bed or buy a bathroom cupboard that fits under your sink. There are plenty of storage solutions out there that will keep your clutter hidden without taking up too much space.

Light

Maximising the natural light will create a bright and airy feel which in turn makes the space seem bigger. There are a few simple ways you can do this. You can add mirrors, which work especially well when placed opposite a window, or other reflective objects. Glass furniture, like coffee tables or end tables, are doubly effective in making small spaces seem bigger. They help to bounce the light around while also adding a sense of visual lightness by not blocking off any part of the room. You can also opt for more sheer or light-colored materials for your drapes, making sure that there is nothing blocking the window either indoors or out.

Of course, not all spaces have the benefit of lots of natural light. If that’s the case for you, adding a few extra lamps in the room will make a world of difference. Just make sure to spread them out throughout your space to avoid being left with any dark corners. When purchasing ceiling lights, flush mounts work much better in small rooms than pendants, as they don’t take up too much valuable room.

Furniture

When it comes to choosing furniture for small spaces, it’s always best to go for items that are raised off the floor on legs as opposed to pieces that sit directly on the ground. By leaving that gap underneath your sofa and lounge chairs you are drawing the eye upwards and allowing more of the interior to be seen. Equally, you don’t want overly large furniture taking up too much space. Large sectionals may be comfy, but a standard 3-seater may work better in a more diminutive living room. A good rule of thumb is that the sofa shouldn’t take up the entire length of the wall.

Multifunctional furniture is also a great idea as it means there will be fewer items taking up space in the room. You could get a lounge chair or sofa that folds out into a guest bed or a side table that also doubles as a stool. It’s all about thinking of different ways to minimize an item’s footprint while maximizing its functionality.

Conclusion

As you can see from this blog post, there are lots of ways that you can open up smaller interiors to make them feel bright and spacious. While some require a level of investment, others are quick and easy tips that anyone can achieve. These are all good guidelines to follow, but ultimately what matters most is how your home decor makes you feel. I encourage you to go ahead and experiment to find what is right for you.

Alternatively, if you would like some help with transforming your small space, I would be delighted to help. If you are in Chicago or the surrounding area and would like to book a free, no -discovery call, you can do so here. I’m looking forward to hearing about your project!