As our population grows, housing (particularly in urban areas) is becoming smaller and smaller. With a lack of square footage, comes the desire for more space. But, what do you do when you don’t “have” more space? You create it, obviously. Here are 7 easy tips you can do to make your small room look bigger.
1. USE LIGHT PAINT COLOURS
Light paint colours make a room feel lighter and brighter. Psychologically spaces with more light appear to have more space. Focus on using whites, off-whites or muted tones of your favourite colour for painting your walls.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
2. USE A MONOCHROMATIC COLOUR SCHEME
A monochromatic colour scheme is one that uses one colour only. However, it allows tints and shades of that colour to be integrated into the design for more interest. Using this method provides variety without too much contrast. Avoiding contrast is ideal when trying to make a small room look bigger because contrast defines space and therefore, will create the illusion of less space.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
3. AVOID BOLD PATTERNS
Bold patterns and colours create visual clutter by creating more contrast. If you absolutely must include a bold colour or pattern in your design, do it with something small rather than in something that takes up a lot of space such as a rug as seen below or a wallpaper, etc. Instead, use a bold patterned throw pillow or a bold coloured picture frame to satisfy your desires
Photo Credit:Anthropologie
4. INCORPORATE MIRRORS
Mirrors are great for a couple of reasons. First, they trick the eye and give the impression of more space by mirroring imagery back at us. A carefully placed mirror can make a hallway feel longer, make it seem that there is more seating or make it look like there are additional windows in a space. Mirrors also reflect light, and as I already mentioned, more light translates into more space.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
5. CHOOSE SMALL SCALE FURNITURE
These days there are a lot more options for apartment/condo sized furniture. Use them! Even if you live in a small house rather than an apartment, chances are that these smaller furniture pieces will work better to make your small room look bigger by taking up less space and leaving more room to roam.
Photo Credit: https://danos.xyz/
6. INTEGRATE REFLECTIVE FURNITURE
Use glass table tops, Lucite chairs, desks, consoles, etc. to expose the area beneath them. You get the function of the furniture added with the illusion of more space – a double win! And, as a bonus, glass and Lucite are reflective so they also help to transmit light around the room. Mirrored furniture will provide the same effect. Consider mirrored dressers, side tables or console tables to make a small room look bigger.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
7. USE MULTIPURPOSE & FOLDAWAY FURNITURE
Pretty obvious here, but the fewer pieces of furniture you use in your design, the more space you will appear to have. You don’t need to sacrifice function though. Try using an ottoman with reversible tray to use for seating or side tables. Use a roll-away island in the kitchen or dinette. And there’s always the classic futon if you’re living in super tight quarters and need your sofa to double as a bed.
Photo Credit: Pinterest