Design Tricks to Make Small Rooms Feel Larger
Just because you have a small room doesn’t mean that it needs to feel small. There are several tips and tricks that you can use to create the illusion of space. Here are a few ideas to consider.
Enhance Lighting
A bright room naturally feels larger than a dark room. This is one of the most basic design tricks to make small rooms feel larger. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to your lighting. First, be sure to have plenty of different light fixtures in the room. Often times floor lamps and other lighting alternatives are better than one single ceiling light.
Be sure to also let in plenty of natural light. Instead of covering your windows in large or dark drapery, consider light enhancing shades that brighten the room while still giving you some privacy. Read our blog post on silhouette shades to learn more.
Use Light Colors in Your Decor
In addition to making rooms feel bigger with the use of lighting, you may also want to select lighter colors for your walls, floors, and decor. Lighter colors provide depth to a room, whereas dark colors tend to enclose a room. You don’t need to select stark white colors, just the lighter spectrum of whatever colors you do prefer. For instance, instead of a dark or deep blue, perhaps you select a sky blue. You can then add splashes of color n other areas of your room decor such as pillows or pieces of art.
Strategically Add Mirrors
As you select your wall decor, consider adding some mirrors. Mirrors are great for giving the illusion of space. When placed properly within a room, they can really add depth and brightness. Even a small room can house a large mirror!
Hidden Storage
Another of the most popular design tricks to make small rooms feel larger is to add storage. Clutter makes a room feel small, so a cleaner look goes a long way in space perception. This is where creative furniture selection can come in handy. Find pieces with hidden storage compartments. This way, your items will be within easy reach but will not give the appearance of clutter. Some examples of easy to find hidden storage furniture pieces are ottomans, benches, side tables, and coffee tables.
Show More Floor
The amount of visible floor space is extremely important to how big or small a room feels. In small rooms, you’ll want to show as much floor as possible. Thus, a room without an area rug will feel larger than one with a rug. When it comes to furniture, selecting pieces with open/visible legs allows you to see more floor beneath it. The same goes for coffee tables. A glass or exposed leg table is better than a full solid table in the middle of a room. A glass desk in the corner will make a room feel larger than a wooden desk. An open island storage unit is better than a closed one. The smaller the space, the more attention you need to pay to home much flooring is exposed in the room.
Use Geometry
You can also use geometry to your advantage for interior design elements. For instance, if you must have an area rug in a small room, selecting one with stripes can elongate the room. Wall patterns can often have a similar effect too!
More Design Tricks to Make Small Rooms Feel Larger
The above are just a few helpful design tricks to make small rooms feel larger. Every home and every room is unique. Consider scheduling some time with our interior designer to get some ideas on how to make the most of your specific room. At Lynne Greene Interiors (Burlington MA Interior Designers), we take the time to help make your house the home of your dreams!
