How to Make a Small Space Look Bigger

Published on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021

If you don’t have as much square footage as you would like, decorating can be a bit of a challenge. Small spaces are cozy and efficient but can feel cramped and overloaded with stuff. Fortunately, there’s a way for you to turn the odds in your favor and make the most of the place you have. Follow our 7 tips on how to make a small space look bigger and get ready to start the magic. 

Declutter Your Home

Clutter is not flattering to any space, no matter how small or big. Still, while large rooms with lots of stuff only seem messy, small ones tend to look even more confined and narrow. Therefore, if you’re trying to make a space look bigger, don’t put too many items on the surfaces. Stick with the good old saying: less is more. Put a bowl of fruit, a few books, or a couple of plants around and stick with it. 

You will also open up space by removing furniture away from walkways and making extra room for people to walk freely. When tall and bulky pieces of furniture are along the walls rather than out in the open space, the room appears larger. 

Another one of our small space decorating ideas includes giving each room a clear purpose. Don’t stack your room with stuff, trying to make it a place for everything. If you have spare rooms in the house, it’s always good to keep things separated. 

Match the Colors

Are you a fan of dark, warm colors? They certainly make space feel cozy and intimate, but might not help with opening up the area. If you want to make a small room look bigger, go for the light and cool colors. Soft and light hues will create an open and airy effect. Think about adding tones of blue and green – these are our personal favorites! 

Speaking about colors, you might want to tone up your walls and furniture. Contrasting colors often make the place even smaller than it is, so we suggest you carefully match the colors of your walls and furniture. 

Pro Tip: White is a color with reflective qualities. It opens up a room, making it feel light and calm. You can try to paint the walls and ceiling the same shade of white and add up some furniture in the same color. That will certainly give space a cloud-like effect. 

Choose the Right Flooring

Flooring is often overlooked among all the tips for making the small space look bigger. Yet, it can play a key role in creating the illusion, especially when a large redecorating project is in order. 

Here are our ultimate tips on how to make small rooms look larger with flooring:

Stick with Dark Flooring 

It sounds odd, right? Most designers would recommend light colors. However, light-colored rooms already provide enough reflection, and having the flooring in the same colors or shades can counter the effect. A darker flooring, especially a wooden one, tends to add depth to the room and make it look roomier. 

Keep in mind, though, that dark floors only work with light walls and ceilings. Avoid making a large contrast of colors because it can be hard on the eyes. 

Go for Diagonal Placement 

Diagonal placement will also help you to create an illusion of bigger space because the diagonal pattern deceives the eye into seeing the place differently. This trick works for all kinds of flooring, from wood planks to tiles. 

The Bigger Tiles the Better

If tiles are the flooring for you, go for the large sizes. Wide and long tiles and planks will make the place look more extensive and the floor beautifully minimalistic. 

Play Smart with Carpets and Rugs

Don’t give up on choosing carpet as your flooring option. People say it tends to shrink down rooms, but that’s not quite true. You won’t make the room look smaller if you wisely pick the color to match the walls and furniture. The only mistake you can make is to choose busy and colorful patterns, which will overload the room. 

Rugs are also great for small spaces. One rug in the center of the room with simple patterns and light texture can brighten the place, and make it appear larger. Just leave some free floor space around it. 

One Pattern to Rule Them All

In larger houses, one-pattern flooring works like a charm. It will open up the place and make a world of difference in the overall home design. 

Need a flooring suggestion for your home? Contact Scottsdale Flooring America for more information or browse through our many services to find the perfect option for your upcoming decorating project!

Get Creative With Furniture

One of the easy ways to make a small room look bigger is by choosing the right furniture. Fewer, larger pieces will make the illusion of a bigger, less cluttered space. Tall bookcases and kitchen cabinets will lead the eye up, and sofas and chairs with legs will create a more open feeling. Additionally, coffee tables, acrylic chairs, and other pieces of furniture with transparent materials will take up less visual space in a room. 

Let the Light In

Remember, simplicity is your best friend in small spaces. It’s better to rely on a natural source of light than to go with excessive artificial lighting and lots of other unnecessary stuff. Remove the thick and heavy curtains and let the light enter. Once the sun touches your walls and furniture, your room will look more aesthetically pleasing and much bigger than usual. 

Use Art and Mirrors

Never underestimate the power of art and mirrors in making a small space look bigger. Mirrors bounce light around the room and make it feel more spacious, especially when they reflect windows. Art can also be your ally. Hand paintings and photographs high on the walls to keep the eyes of visitors up. 

How to Make a Small Space Look Bigger FAQ

What colors make a small room look bigger?

Light and soft tones such as whites, blues, and greens make small spaces look bigger and more comfortable. 

What floor colors can make a room look bigger?

If you have light-colored walls and ceilings, you can go with darker tones of natural wood. Cream carpets, natural or neutral tiles, and whitewashed wood floorings are ideal for darker surroundings. 

How to make a room look bigger with curtains?

Avoid heavy fabrics at all costs. You don’t want thick curtains to absorb all of the light and prevent it from entering the room. Choose lightweight materials in bright colors to make the room feel airy.