Our top ideas for making a small area look larger will help you transform the space and make it more functional.
Many challenges come with small spaces. You can make a small space feel cramped by choosing the wrong color, lighting, and placing furniture. Our clever ideas for creating a room to appear larger will give you the knowledge to transform a small space into a success.
How to make a small room look bigger
Use a soft color scheme for your furnishings
Soft colors that complement your furniture, fabrics, and decor create a more cohesive look and a simpler palette. Soft blush tones or neutral earth tones can reduce clutter. They also provide a neutral background to which you can add bolder colors. This creates a subtle yet powerful statement. Beige or Cream rugs are the best choice for a small space. They offer comfort, functionality, and simplicity.
Contrary to what is commonly believed, dark colors are not always excluded when decorating a small space. Adding contrast to a room by contrasting whites with greens and deep blues will add depth and create contrast. Our guide on how to use complementing colors in interior design can help you choose the right colors for the best color combination.
Walls in Neutral or Contrasting Colors
The color of a room can have a significant impact on how it appears. Color can make a room appear larger or closer in space. Neutral-toned pastels like creams, whites, and other neutral shades help reflect light and give the impression of more space.
Consider extending the chosen color of your walls to the ceiling. This will create continuity and help to lengthen your walls. House Beautiful explains a variety of colors you can use to brighten up small rooms. These include soft pinks and sultry shades of green.
The finish on a wall color can also enhance the light reflection. The reflective qualities of satin or gloss will enhance the space in a room. It’s important to remember that reflective finishes will show up any imperfections in the wall. To get the best result from reflective finishes, make sure your walls are smooth.
Choose Flooring that Expands Your Space
This allows for the introduction of rugs, which can help to optimize the illusion of space while offering a href=”https://www.rugtraders.co.uk/do-i-need-a rug? The benefits of rugs explained/”>strong>multitude of other benefits/strong>/a>. Rugs can be used to create the illusion of more space.
Consider using underfloor heating. Underfloor heating has many benefits. It can save space by eliminating the need for bulky radiators that can restrict how furniture is positioned in a room. Rug Traders also has a range of rugs that can be used on heated floors. We detail this in our guide to rugs and underfloor heat. You can create a feeling of spaciousness and comfort by using this method.
Runners are useful for creating clear paths through a room. They can also help make a smaller room appear larger, provided that the runner’s longest length is parallel to the size of the room.
A plain rug gives a room a neat and uncluttered appearance. It keeps the room simple and clutter-free without making it completely devoid of comfort and interest.
PPatterned rugs may seem counterintuitive, but they can add intrigue and open up a small room. Choose rugs that have large patterns and don’t draw too much attention. The wider pattern can be used to help extend the length or width of your space, similar to a striped rug.
Striped Carpets Running parallel to the longest distance of your small room will create the impression of a larger room. Horizontal lines will increase the width of the room.
Furniture is Key
You have to select furniture carefully when you want to make a small space look larger. Choose pieces that are both stylish and functional while minimizing the amount of space they occupy.
Modern pieces tend to be streamlined and take up less room than furniture with elaborate structures or chunkier pieces. Sofas and chairs without arms can help maximize space and minimize obstruction.
The furniture with legs can make a room appear larger. Furniture with legs can help open up floor space, create movement, and allow light to pass under and around it. You can use it to create extra storage space!
Furniture in lighter shades and neutral tones blends seamlessly with walls of softer tones, creating less contrast and, therefore, the illusion of greater space.
Choosing glass furniture will also give the illusion of more room. The ability to see through a piece of furniture can create the illusion of more space while maintaining the same functionality.
Arrange your furniture with thought.
Place larger furniture pieces against the wall and add small accessories around them to make a room appear bigger. Continue moving furniture until you have a space that is easy to navigate and has a clear path.
Slightly angled furniture can be used to draw the eye up the wall, creating a focal point and providing additional storage behind it.
Lighting
Lighting is a key element when you are looking for ways to make a room appear larger. Natural light is best for small spaces and can maximize the illusion of space. Keep windows and doors clear of clutter to allow natural light into the room.
In small rooms, however, the natural light can be scarce. Create a layering of lighting with tabletop and floor lamps as well as ceiling light to give the impression of depth and height.
More importantly, choosing visually pleasing lighting fixtures can turn a simple lamp into a piece of art on its right.
Use fabrics that are lightweight and airy.
Lightweight fabrics like cotton, silk, or chiffon can add an airy feeling to a space and reflect light.
Lightweight curtains not only offer privacy, but they can also add softness to a small space without adding extra weight or blocking out valuable sunlight.