15 Clever Decorating Tricks To Make A Small Space Feel Bigger

Creating a feeling of openness and airiness cannot be accessible when decorating a small space. However, with the right tricks and techniques, it is possible to make a small room feel larger than it is.

This article will explore ten clever decorating tricks to make a small space feel bigger. From using mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of space to employing space-saving storage solutions, these tips will help to transform your living space and create a more inviting atmosphere.

With the right approach, it is possible to make a small space look and feel larger than it is.

Use Mirrors to Reflect Light and Create the Illusion of Space

Mirrors can effectively reflect light and create the illusion of space in a small area. By strategically placing mirrors in a room, natural and artificial light can be bounced off the reflective surface to make the space seem larger and brighter.

The reflection of light can also create the impression of additional windows, making the area feel airy and open. Additionally, mirrors can create the look of an extra wall, giving the illusion of more wall space.

Mirrors are an inexpensive and easy way to brighten and expand a small space.

Choose Light Colors for Walls and Furniture

Light colours on walls and furniture can create an atmosphere of openness and airiness, giving the illusion of a larger space. Here are some great ways to use light colours to your advantage:

  • Opt for neutral colours like white, beige, or cream to open the room.
  • Incorporate pastels and softer shades, such as pale blues and greens, to make the space more welcoming.
  • Use bright, vibrant colours in accents and accessories to add a pop of colour without cramming the room.

Using light colours in a small space effectively creates the illusion of a larger area. Such colours bring a feeling of airiness while still keeping the room looking stylish and cosy. With the right colour palette, you can make a small space feel more extensive and more inviting.

Use Multi-Functional Furniture

Utilising multi-functional furniture is an efficient way to maximise the use of a confined area. Cleverly designed pieces that can serve multiple purposes are ideal for small spaces.

For example, a sofa bed can provide seating and sleeping arrangements, while an ottoman can double as a coffee table and extra seating. Wall-mounted shelves and desks are also great options for freeing up floor space. Additionally, storage units that can be placed on the wall or concealed on the floor are a great way to keep items out of sight when not in use.

These furniture pieces can be found in various sizes and shapes, making them suitable for any space. Furthermore, they are available at different prices, so you can find something that fits your budget.

Utilising multi-functional furniture is a great way to make a small space feel larger and more organised.

Employ Space-Saving Storage Solutions

Employing space-saving storage solutions can be an effective way to maximise the area of a confined space. Storage solutions like shelves, cabinets, bins, and baskets can organise smaller spaces.

Maximising vertical space by adding shelves and cabinets to the walls can be very useful when maximising a small space. Utilising the area under the bed for storage can also be helpful. Additionally, a chest of drawers can be used to store items and save space.

Bins and baskets can store items while adding texture and colour. Utilising these storage solutions can create a more organised and spacious environment in a small space.

Declutter to Make the Room Look Spacious

Decluttering a room can be an effective way to create an illusion of more open space. By removing bulky items that serve a purpose or take up less space, the room will appear bigger than it is.

The lack of visual clutter will make the room appear airy and spacious. To make the most of the space, organise items in the room by type and store smaller items in decorative baskets or boxes. Taking the time to arrange things neat and orderly will make the room feel more organised and cohesive.

Additionally, consider adding mirrors to create more space and light. Mirrors can visually expand the space and make a room appear larger than it is.

Eliminating excess items and strategically using mirrors will make a small space feel bigger and more inviting.

Hang Curtains to Create Height

Hanging curtains that extend to the ceiling can create an illusion of height, making the room appear more spacious.

An effective way of utilising this technique is to hang the curtains at least 8 inches higher than the window frame. This will help create an illusion of height in the room, making it seem visually larger.

Additionally, it is important to use light materials or sheer fabrics to allow natural light into the room and create an open feeling. Darker fabrics may make the room feel smaller and more confined.

Furthermore, selecting curtains with prints and patterns can add a unique touch to the room and distract the eye from the size of the space.

Combining these tactics makes a small room feel larger and more inviting.

Place Furniture Away from the Walls

Positioning furniture away from the walls can create an appearance of increased area in the room.

Placing furnishings in the centre of the room can create the illusion of a more expansive space, as the room appears less crowded.

Additionally, seating can be arranged to facilitate conversation, making an area more inviting and less cramped.

The room’s size can be visually extended by strategically placing occasional tables and chairs.

Furthermore, highlighting one or two architectural elements can add depth to a room, making the space more spacious.

Finally, using light hues for the walls and floor can make a room look more open, while strategically placed mirrors can create the perception of a larger area.

With a few clever decorating tricks, a small space can feel bigger.

Install Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are an effective way to maximise a room’s storage capacity while avoiding a cluttered look. These shelves are mounted directly onto the wall, creating an illusion of space and allowing for a more visually appealing storage solution.

Floating shelves can store books, photographs, and decorative items, freeing up more floor space. Furthermore, they can be customised to fit any room size and come in various styles and colours.

With simple tricks, floating shelves can create an illusion of a larger space while providing a practical storage solution. They are also easy to install and can be done with minimal tools and effort.

By combining different shapes, sizes and colours, floating shelves can add texture and depth to a room, making it feel bigger.

Utilise Vertical Space with Wall-Mounted Decor

Vertical space with wall-mounted decor can create a visually appealing and spacious interior design. Adding artwork, shelves, and other decorative accessories makes it possible to transform a small space into a larger-looking environment. Here are some ideas for incorporating wall-mounted decor:

Artwork:

  • Hang a large-scale piece to draw the eye upward.
  • Create a gallery wall with a mix of smaller pieces.
  • Use a combination of wall hangings, such as mirrors and tapestries.

Shelves:

  • Hang floating shelves in a grid pattern.
  • Try a ladder shelf with multiple levels and compartments.
  • Consider an asymmetrical shelf with a mix of items for a modern look.

Accessories:

  • Hang a planter or terrarium for a touch of greenery.
  • Add a wall clock with a unique design.
  • Hang a macramé wall hanging for a bohemian vibe.

By carefully selecting wall-mounted decor, it’s possible to make a small space appear larger and more inviting. Plus, by getting creative with the placement of items, you can create a unique and one-of-a-kind look.

Create a Focal Point to Draw the Eye Upward

Creating a focal point to draw the eye upward can create an eye-catching interior design. By drawing the viewer’s attention up and away from the ground, the space will feel larger and more inviting.

A focal point can be achieved by using a large piece of artwork or a bold colour. Alternatively, an oversized mirror can help to reflect light and create the illusion of a bigger space.

Highlighting interesting architectural features, such as a large window or an arched doorway, can also act as a focal point and add visual interest.

A dramatic light fixture, such as a chandelier or a pendant, will help draw the eye up and create a sense of height and grandeur.

Any small space can look and feel larger with the right focal point choice.

Incorporate Natural Elements

Incorporating natural elements into a room’s design can enhance the space’s overall aesthetic. Bringing the beauty of nature indoors can add a vibrant, calming atmosphere to any room. Using plants, flowers, and natural textures such as wood and stone can create a feeling of spaciousness and lightness.

Adding large windows or skylights to bring in natural light also helps to make the space appear larger. Additionally, using light or neutral colours and avoiding dark colours can help to create an airy feeling and open up the space. Decorative items made from natural materials can also introduce organic elements into the room.

Finally, accessorising with natural accents such as shells, rocks, and driftwood can create a unique, beachy vibe. Incorporating natural elements into a room’s design can be an easy and stylish way to make the space feel bigger.

Hang a Wall-Sized Artwork

Hanging a wall-sized artwork can be a visually striking way to make a room feel larger. This technique can help draw the eye to one single point in the room, creating the illusion of more space.

It can also be a great way to add a unique, exciting feature to a room while creating a focal point. Choosing an artwork that is calming and harmonious can help set the tone of the space and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Carefully selecting a piece that is the right size for the wall and using bright colours can also help draw the eye outward, making the room appear larger. Hanging a wall-sized artwork can effectively add personality to a room and create an illusion of a larger space.

Play with Scale and Proportion

By playing with scale and proportion, a room can be transformed to appear larger. This can be achieved by incorporating furniture pieces that are not too bulky or oversized and by placing furniture pieces with each other that create the illusion of more space.

Here are some tricks for playing with scale and proportion:

  • Choose furniture that fits the space rather than furniture that dominates the space.
  • Place furniture close to the wall rather than in the centre of the room.
  • Hang mirrors or wall art that reflect light and give the illusion of a bigger space.
  • Experiment with furniture and accessories of different shapes and sizes to give the feeling of more space.

Using these clever tricks, a small space can be transformed to appear larger and brighter. With creativity and attention to detail, a room can be updated to look larger without any major renovations or changes.

Add Rugs to Define the Space

To further increase the space available in small rooms, rugs can be used to define and distinguish between different areas. Adding area rugs strategically creates a sense of separate spaces without the need for physical walls.

Rugs can cover the entire area or focus on different elements, creating smaller spaces within the room. Creating these smaller areas can make a small space appear larger. Additionally, rugs can be used to add texture and colour to the room, which can also make it appear larger.

When purchasing a rug, it is vital to measure the room and consider the size and pattern of the rug to ensure it does not overpower the space.

Let in Natural Light to Brighten the Room

Utilising natural light to brighten a room can create a sense of airiness and openness. To achieve this effect, use windows or glass doors to let in the sunlight. If you have curtains or blinds, keep them open to allow the light to enter.

Natural light can make a small room appear larger and more inviting. It can also create a calming atmosphere and offer a welcome respite away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Furthermore, it can help to reduce the need for electric lighting, thus reducing your electric bill.

Natural light can also highlight certain features of your room and create interesting shadows and reflections. Whatever your decorating style, utilising natural light to brighten a room can be a clever and inexpensive way to make a small space feel bigger.

Conclusion

A well-planned decorating scheme can make even the smallest spaces more spacious and inviting.

By employing clever tricks like mirrors to reflect light, choosing light colours for walls and furniture, using multi-functional furniture, employing space-saving storage solutions, decluttering, hanging a wall-sized artwork, playing with scale and proportion, adding rugs to define the space, and letting in natural light, any room can be transformed to make it appear larger and brighter.

With creativity and effort, any space can feel much more inviting and comfortable.

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