How to make a small room look bigger – 9 tricks designers use to visually expand a tiny space – Homes & Gardens
If you are wondering ‘how to make a small room look bigger’, you are certainly not alone. Though small rooms can present many interior design challenges, there are several benefits to compact living: little rooms are usually easier to keep neat and tidy; easier to organize and decorate. A well-designed room may feel just as comfortable as a larger space, with all the coziness and warmth you desire.
Small space ideas may be limited on size but they can be big on style. We have curated our favorite ways to make a small area look bigger – with tricks of the trade to help turn that awkward, tiny room into something sophisticated and functional, whatever its shape and proportions.
How to make a little room appearance bigger
In a small space, zoning, color decorative choices are key. Make a small room look larger by planning a hard-working layout, investing in multi-functional furniture and picking the right color scheme. So whether you’re working with a small living room , small kitchen or the small bedroom in a family home, you can make the area work best for you.
Luxury comes in all shapes and sizes – here, H& G show a person how to make modest rooms feel chic plus spacious.
1. Work with colour in a living room
(Image credit: Studio Indigo)
Consider color choices carefully when trying to make a small living room look bigger . Quite often, a simple and cost-effective solution is enough to aesthetically enlarge your space.
‘When a single color is used on both walls plus woodwork, a room suddenly feels bigger because having no contrast means that you are usually less aware of the confines from the space, ‘ says Joa Studholme, colour curator, Farrow & Ball (opens in new tab) . ‘The eye does not stop in order to register a second color and glides straight out of the window to the view, blending the garden and space together. ’
2 . Distract the eye along with pattern within a kids’ room
A clever bed nook was included in this sleep room by Studio room Peake
(Image credit: Facilities Peake)
‘Layering patterns of the similar scale and tone will distract from a room feeling small, and ensure it feels cozy and inviting, ‘ says Mary Graham and Nicole Salvesen, founders, Salvesen Graham (opens in brand new tab) . ‘Nothing should shout louder than anything else, so that will the eye is not really drawn to one feature plus the space will not feel too busy. ’
‘In this tiniest of bedrooms (above), to make the most of the particular space, I created a bed nook on the side of the area where the sloped ceiling became very low, ‘ says Sarah Peakle, founder and creative director, Facility Peake (opens in new tab) . ‘I then filled it with a lively pattern to set it apart from the rest associated with the room, although the colors used in the particular fabric, cushions, wallpaper and furniture subtly echo each other to give a sense of structure towards the area. ’
3. Be smart with storage in the kitchen
(Image credit: Lonika Chande / Simon Brown)
‘It might seem counter-intuitive if you want to make a small kitchen area look bigger , but unless the ceilings are very high I like to do away with wall cabinets altogether in favor of shelving, ‘ says Lonika Chande, creator and innovative director, Lonika Chande (opens within new tab) .
‘It looks much better and opens up the space. I am always upon the lookout for vintage shop fittings and characterful reclaimed planks that can be repurposed as shelves. I then decant what I may into Kilner jars for display, alongside stacks of crockery, linen and the particular odd jug. I love nothing more than to be left to it along with my Kilner jars plus a Dymo labelling machine – unbelievably satisfying work and so visually pleasing too’
4. Introduce good lighting in a bathroom
The border tiles in this Studio Indigo space bring attention to the bathroom’s height
(Image credit: Business Indigo)
If you’re looking for impactful ways in order to make a small bathroom appear bigger , consider lighting first. Well-planned small bathroom lighting ideas will make almost all the difference in a compact room, increasing the sense associated with volume and helping to make this feel larger.
‘In the small shower room it will be crucial not to underestimate the importance of good illumination, ‘ says Mary Graham and Nicole Salvesen, creators, Salvesen Graham (opens in new tab) . ‘This should always include ornamental wall lights either side of a mirror to provide the softer, more flattering light for the face as well as a decorative feature. ’
5. Choose accessories that visually expand an entryway
Mirrors will always help to enhance the particular sense of space, as in this particular De Rosee Sa designed hall
(Image credit: De Rosee Sa)
‘Entryways can frequently be narrow with little natural gentle so consider using color and pattern to create a design scheme that will brings warmness and lighting to the space, ‘ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director, Little Greene (opens within new tab) .
It is also worth choosing your own accessories plus decorative space ideas cautiously if you wish to create this little room appearance bigger. ‘A beautifully detailed wall associated with lightly antiqued mirror can be a great way to increase a tight entrance, ‘ states Claire Sa, director, Sobre Rosee Social fear (opens in brand new tab) . ‘Placing a console and lamps in front of a large mirror softens the particular coldness associated with the reflection material. ’
6. Paint the ceiling the same color as the walls in the bedroom
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
‘For me, rule one to make a little bedroom seem bigger is to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls, ‘ says Joa Studholme, colour curator, Farrow & Golf ball (opens in new tab) . ‘Who wants to lie in bed looking at a white ceiling? It’s much better in order to create a space that feels because if it’s cocooning you, and of course this will make even the tiniest space feel larger because a person can’t tell in which the wall space end plus the roof begins. Cupboards should also be painted exactly the same color since the walls, to avoid them being as well prominent. ’
7. Draw the attention upwards in a dining room
Sims Hilditch chose similar wood tones for that table and the flooring right here, so the particular table recedes into the background
(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)
It is so much simpler for small spaces to feel dark and dingy, so if you’re dealing with the small dining room , focus on lighting while your first port associated with call. When thinking about ways of lights a dining room, don’t think just about the impact of the bulbs and lampshades themselves, but how the placement of the light fitting can help alter the proportions of a room.
‘A little dining area with higher ceilings may be tricky to design, ‘ states Emma-Sims-Hilditch, innovative director, Sims Hilditch (opens inside new tab) . ‘I often recommend opting for low-hanging statement pendant lighting placed above the particular dining table to draw the eye plus fill the space. ‘
8. Enhance the feeling of space in a family room
This scheme by Nune includes a striped rug in order to create the particular illusion of the wider area
(Image credit score: Nune)
Getting the family room furnishings right in a small room is usually one associated with the biggest challenges within design. This needs to be a practical room, whether with regard to watching TV or creating good conversation.
‘It is definitely worth noting that a pair of armchairs can often take up more space than a small sofa, ‘ says interior designer Lonika Chande. ‘Certainly, a smaller armless sofa, complete with the little part table in order to put down a drink, and a floor lamp rather than a table lamp can be a much better use of space. ’
Be bold with your little area and make use of large-scale home furniture sparingly to give the particular illusion that will the room is grander than it is.
9. Employ clever design in the small backyard
(Image credit: Greencube)
Even the smallest outdoor space can become a beautifully designed garden. The key is to keep things simple and fuss-free if you want in order to make a little garden look bigger .
‘My focus in small gardens can be to arrange the room, utilising levels, framing views, creating social seating options and making every single millimetre work, ’ says Mandy Buckland of landscape style company Greencube (opens in brand new tab) .
‘Track the sun’s arc to optimize the particular best spots, screen any view spoilers and produce focal points that draw the eye. I like to play with scale, usually placing large pots since points of interest and choosing dramatic planting combinations in bold swathes in order to create a calm, green oasis. ’
Different levels can be an asset and create a space feel bigger by producing additional areas. ‘Use big specimens such as acers plus osmanthus, as going large creates drama, ’ says Mandy. Also try integrating a mirror to create the particular illusion that will the backyard goes upon beyond the boundary.
What colors make a little room look bigger?
Naturally, using pale or single color palettes will create a small room look larger. However , it isn’t as simple as painting your wall space white.
‘We would usually lean towards quieter palette combinations, yet darker shades can function really well within smaller spaces, ‘ states James Thurstan Waterworth, originator, Thurstan (opens in new tab) . ‘They create a perception of depth and lend a cocoon-like feel – welcome in every little room.
‘For the walls in a small room, we suggest the deep midnight blue or a petrol green, then lift this by layering careful accents associated with color, perhaps a burnt orange or perhaps a similar earth-toned hue – ochre, terracotta or a softer peach. ’