A small room cannot get bigger, but it can feel bigger. The goal is to let the eye travel: fewer interruptions, more light, more visible floor and wall, and furniture that works hard.
Light and color
- Light colors on the walls reflect more light. Paint the trim and even the ceiling the same color, or close to it, to blur the edges of the room.
- Color drenching in a mid or dark tone is an alternative: when walls, trim and ceiling are all one color, corners disappear and the room can feel cocooning rather than cramped.
- Avoid high contrast between many elements, which breaks the space into pieces.
Mirrors
A large mirror reflects light and the view of the room, giving an impression of depth. Placing it across from or next to a window doubles the daylight. A floor-length mirror leaned against a wall is easy and effective.
Furniture
- Show the floor: pieces raised on legs (sofas, beds, dressers) let you see underneath, which makes the room feel larger.
- Choose the right scale: one medium sofa is better than a large sectional; a few well-chosen pieces are better than many small ones, which look cluttered.
- Clear materials: glass or acrylic tables take up almost no visual space.
- Multi-purpose pieces: storage ottomans, a bed with drawers, a drop-leaf or extendable table, a sofa bed.
Go vertical
Use wall height for storage: tall bookcases, wall-mounted shelves and cabinets keep the floor clear. Hang curtains high and wide, close to the ceiling and beyond the window frame, to make windows and ceilings look bigger. Ideas for hidden storage are in finding hidden storage.
Light in layers
A single ceiling light leaves dark corners that make a room feel smaller. Add wall lights and lamps to light the corners. Keep window treatments light to let in as much daylight as possible, see how to choose window treatments.
Keep it clear
Clutter shrinks rooms faster than anything else. Keep surfaces mostly clear, give everything a place, and edit what you own regularly. See decluttering without stress.
Rugs
A rug that is too small makes a room look chopped up. Choose one large enough to fit under the front legs of the furniture; in a small room, a single larger rug works better than several small ones.
Painting a small bedroom is a special case, covered in how to choose the right paint color for your bedroom.
