Light and Colour
Light and colour should be your first priority when considering the things you can do to make a room look larger than it actually is.
Make a room brighter and paint it in lighter colours, and you naturally create a more open, airy feel that gives the illusion of a bigger dimension. If you have windows in the room, try your best not to obstruct them; opt for blinds as opposed to curtains, and let in as much natural light from the outside as you can.
You could also strategically place a mirror on the wall opposite the window to reflect as much sunlight as possible throughout the space.
Choosing Furniture
Choosing furniture in a small room is tricky business. You don’t want to pick anything too large as it’ll dominate the room, but at the same time, you have to have what you need for the room to be as functional as possible.
Colour and material can make a big difference here. Mirrored furniture can be an excellent option because it both reflects light to make the room appear brighter, as well as gives the illusion of there being more space than there is through the way it reflects the walls.
Similarly, glass or acrylic furniture is always a good bet, as it creates a larger sense of space because you can see more of the room at any one time.
You should also make sure you don’t push all your furniture against the walls – give the room some space to breath and it’ll look larger.
Declutter and Use Vertical Space
Making sure the room is clean and tidy can make a huge difference to the way a smaller area appears, so keep the floors, surfaces, and windowsills free of clutter! This sentiment also goes for useless pieces of furniture: in a small room, every item in there should have a purpose – you can’t really afford to add anything which doesn’t also serve to make the area more spacious looking.
If you can, you should also aim to make use of the vertical space you have available. Creative shelving and tall bookshelves are great ways to draw people towards all dimensions of the room and have them appreciate the full 3D effect of the space. The walls in general can also amplify this effect, so whether you hang pictures, wall art, or buntin, don’t leave them bare!
Wrapping Up
Making use of a small room can be difficult, but by utilising the right tactics, there’s still a great deal you can do to make it a great-looking, functional, livable space.
