Photo: Daily Dream Decor

Everyone says “bigger is better,” but sometimes your home’s square footage is at odds with that sentiment. The good news is that with some clever decorating and spatial planning, your space can feel bigger despite the limited square footage. What makes a space feel uncomfortable is not really the actual dimensions of the room. Believe it or not, a palace can feel cramped and confining if it’s dark, cluttered, and poorly arranged. With some smart tricks up your sleeve, you can create a space that feels open and inviting no matter what the actual size may be. Try these easy decorating tricks to make a small space look bigger:

1. Declutter, declutter, declutter!
This may seem obvious, but decluttering is the most important trick to making any space look bigger. If there are too many clashing accessories and objects in one spot then that can lend to a space appearing small and cluttered. Edit down what you have out and put the rest away in covered containers, baskets, drawers, or cabinets.

2. Bring in the light
Having the right lighting is a major key to opening a space up. If your windows aren’t offering you great natural light, consider adding a skylight. For artificial lighting, try to stay clear of any bulky lighting sources that will take up too much visual space and instead, try options like recessed lighting or a tall, thin floor lamp.

3. Stick to lighter color palettes
Cool, neutral colors are the best for a smaller space because they naturally expand it. Remember that black is slimming? The same basic principle applies to decorating. Darker tones absorb light and make a space feel “cozier” (i.e. smaller) while lighter colors recede and make a space feel more open.

4. Stay away from bulky furniture
Big, chunky furniture not only takes up a lot of physical space but also a lot of visual space. Choose more streamlined furniture, specifically pieces with raised legs that lift them up off the floor so light can travel underneath and expand the space even more.

5. Choose the right window treatments
When choosing a window treatment, go with sheers or curtains that match the walls so they blend together nicely. A lot of contrast chops up a space and consequently makes it feel smaller.

6. Avoid too many extra details
Clean lines and simple patterns are the best choices for a small space because they are not visually overwhelming. Ruffles and bold patterns can be distracting in a small space, so keep them to a minimum.

7. Use multi-functional furniture
Multi-functional furniture is a great space saver, such as an ottoman that can be used as a coffee table or a bed with drawers underneath.

8. Bounce light with reflective surfaces
Mirrors and furniture with reflective surfaces not only bounce light to brighten the space more, but they also can visually expand the room by making it appear larger than it actually is.

9. Try see-through furniture
Glass or plexi-glass furniture is an easy solution for making a space appear larger, because they take up no visual space at all yet are stylish and offer all the functions you need. If you go with this look, the best pieces for it are end tables, coffee tables, dining room table or chairs, and table lamps. Just don’t go overboard and choose too many pieces like this.

10. Replace doors with pocket doors or remove completely
If you want to leave a door from one room to another open, it’s a good idea to consider removing it or replacing it with a pocket door so the door itself doesn’t take up any extra space.

With these simple tricks, you can easily be on your way to making a small space look bigger.

Warm regards,
Megan