10 tips and tricks to make a small space look bigger!
Render by Suite Minded
I have myself always lived in studios or shared apartments and have had to keep my belongings to a minimum as well as use tricks to maximise the space I had.
Living in a small space doesn’t have to be negative. In fact, some people choose to switch to a smaller living space in order to save money on rent and utility bills, or even just to have a simpler, more minimalistic life.
Small spaces are also faster to clean, and easier to keep organized and to decorate.
If you find yourself living in a small space and feel like it is not being used to its full potential, keep on reading as I give 10 tips to make your small space look bigger.
1/ Paint your walls in a lighter shade
One of the best ways to brighten up a space is to paint your walls in a shade of white, cream or beige will help bring more light to your space. The light will reflect on your walls and will make your room appear bigger and brighter.
I have selected for you the best paint colours from Benjamin Moore for your walls, trims or ceilings.
2/ Add mirrors
Adding mirrors to your space will also help reflect light and create the illusion of a bigger and wider room.
Place a full-length mirror directly on your floor to add the impression of height, and to give a contemporary look to your interior.
3/ Use one type of flooring throughout the whole room
If you have an open plan area, using the same type of flooring throughout the whole space will help bring cohesion and flow. For example, if you have an open plan living and kitchen with tiles and floorboards, it creates a visual break and makes those two spaces appear smaller.
You can opt for floorboards in your living, dining and kitchen areas for a warm and clean look.
Adding rugs is a great solution if you still want to create different spaces while maintaining flow.
4/ Declutter the space
Decluttering your space is something you’re going to have to do eventually if you want to make your room look bigger. However, you can take your time with this as getting rid of objects can be difficult for some people, or if you’re like me and find sentiments in the smallest things.
Use boxes, baskets, trays, racks or drawer dividers to keep your interior organized and neat. An uncluttered space is visually appealing, more comfortable, and appears brighter.
Decorate less. Don’t visually overcrowd your space with items you don’t necessarily need or can’t remember why you bought. Instead, only keep the pieces that matter to you. The ones you love or need.
When you want to make a small space look bigger, you have to think minimalism.
5/ Invest in multi-purpose furniture
Buying multi-purpose furniture is a smart way to make use of your space without cluttering it. For example an ottoman or a couch that include a storage solution, a coffee table that transforms into a dining table or a desk, or a bed with storage underneath. There are a lot of different stylish options you can use to gain storage space, help declutter your interior and make your room look bigger.
6/ Bring more light into your space
Letting more light into your room, either natural or artificial, will give the impression of a bigger space as it will reflect on your walls and furniture.
For your window treatments, opting for roller blinds will help declutter the space visually, while still covering the window when you need to.
If you want to add some curtains and don’t need to completely block the light from the window, choose a light fabric such as linen which is quite flowy and lightweight. Sheer curtains will help let natural light in while also styling your space.
Another tip is to hang your curtains on the ceiling instead of your walls and add floor-to-ceiling curtains to create the illusion of a high ceiling room.
If your interior doesn’t have a lot of natural light, add more lamps to help brighten up the space.
Photo: via Airey Interiors
7/ Choose your furniture wisely
The selection of your furniture plays an important role in the making your interior feel bigger.
The first tip here is that it is smarter to buy one bigger piece of furniture rather than several small ones that would serve the same purpose. For example, an angle sofa is sometimes better than adding several armchairs for added seating. Bigger furniture will help create a focal point and a visually organized and uncluttered space.
The second tip is to choose furniture with apparent legs or elevated from the ground as the space between the piece of furniture and the floor will create flow and clear the view.
When you have a small space, it is best not to obstruct the walkway. Keep your interior organized and clear to maintain the flow. For example, if your room is more long than wide, opt for side tables instead of a coffee table.
Choosing a round coffee table can also help create more flow in a small living room instead of a rectangular or square one.
8/ Use a neutral colour scheme
In order to brighten up your space and make it look bigger, I recommend using a neutral colour scheme for your walls, furniture and home décor items. Light greys, off-whites and cream colours are perfect to create a clean bright space. Regarding your furniture, opt for a pale wood and natural materials to bring cohesion to your interior. Even better if you want to give a Scandinavian or coastal look to your space.
9/ Choose plain fabrics for your furniture
Using plain fabrics will also help create a visually clean and organized space. Stick to neutral tones to stay in the same colour scheme and have a cohesive interior. You can add textured fabrics or small pops of colour in your accessories for some visual interest.
10/ Use reflective surfaces
Reflective surfaces such as glass, polished metal or high gloss furniture will reflect light and give the feeling that your space is brighter and bigger. Choose a glass side table, a cabinet with glass doors or, if you like a more contemporary look, check this black high gloss sideboard like Ikea.
Black sideboard - Ikea
If you wish to make a kitchen look more spacious, you can also opt for a reflections splashback that will reflect the light and offer a very clean and simple look.
I hope these tips were helpful.
If you need personalized help to decorate your interior, have a look at my custom services.
Thank you for reading and happy decorating!
Manon xx