5 Ways to Make a Compact Space Look Bigger

Small rooms can feel cramped and confined. However, there are design concepts that can be incorporated within a space that fool the eye to make the room seem more spacious. It’s important for spaces to look decluttered so it becomes easier to work, hassle-free to move around and just better on the eye. Here are some ideas to make your space look bigger:

Clever Colour & Contrasts

Using colour to make a room look bigger is all about optical illusions – as funny as that may sound. It’s a general rule of thumb that light colours make a room look larger. Light coloured walls are more reflective which automatically make a space feel more expanded and airy, maximising the effects created by natural light. Dark colours absorb light making the room look smaller. Select soft shades of cream, sage, and powder blue for an optimum effect.

Pro tip: Paint your wall trims and moldings a lighter colour than your wall – by this, the walls will appear farther back making the room seem larger.

Light is your Best Friend

Take advantage of the natural light in a room as much as you can – this helps open up the space. If you have access to natural light then welcome it into your home through large windows. This will connect your room to the outdoors preventing it from limiting the space. If there isn’t a lot of light in the room, use light fixtures like tall lamps to create the same effect natural light would.

Pro tip: Use sheer curtains and window coverings to allow more natural light in the space. Opt for sofas and armchairs that are raised on legs – they create a sense of light and space.

Cut out the Clutter

Keep the space tidy and organised. Nothing makes a small space look even more cramped than a mess. Arrange things neatly and out of sight to open up the space and make it look orderly. A cluttered room equals a smaller room. Create a focal point in the room – a feature that draws attention. Keeping the floors as clear as possible is also an important factor in making the room feel spacious. Clean up, use smart storage and you’ll see an automatic difference! If you haven’t used something in a year and wouldn’t consider buying it now, get rid of it.

Pro tip: One large framed painting looks better than a group of smaller framed in a confined space. Use one big rug to create an illusion of space.

Furniture Arrangement is Key

Furniture takes up a lot of space and so, a golden rule in a small room is to use multi-functional furniture – for example, use a chest as a coffee table, a sofa bed with storage etc. Place the larger pieces of furniture that you have against walls to maximise the space and don’t block pathways. Add floor-to-ceiling or wall-to-wall bookcases, this hack will expand how high your ceilings look and it’s a good way to add storage. Furniture that can be stacked, wheeled, folded is also a great option for a small space. See-through furniture like glass tables and lucite chairs also do a great job of fooling the eye into thinking there is more space than there actually is.

Pro tip: Buy a few pieced of furniture in the same colour as your walls – it’s a great way to blend it in and widen the space. Choose furniture with exposed legs and open arms, allowing light to filter under.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

To bring about the illusion of depth in a room, mirrors are a perfect prop. Mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light and make a room brighter throughout the day. They bounce light deep into a room making it appear spacious.

Pro tip: Place the mirror near a window to reflect the greenery outdoors. Mirrors placed on a wall and on glass tabletops is another hack to give the space an open feel.