Simple Ideas to Make Your Small Room Seem Larger

Remember:  “Perception is 99% reality”!  There are times when a small room is perfectly cozy and other times when you feel a room is too small.  But don’t worry, here are some simple ideas and tools that you can apply to make your room appear more spacious

Wall:   One design tick is to paint your walls a light solid shade.  This technique creates the impression of expansive space and your room will appear larger.  To expand this concept;  paint your doors, trim and ceiling the same color as the walls.  Don’t use contrasting colors or put different patterns on the walls as this will break up your small room into smaller pieces.

Another very effective technique is to place a large mirror in the room.  Choose  simply-framed mirrors.  This will create the perception of roominess.  Try to cover the entire wall with a mirror and you will be surprised how your small room magically appears to be doubled in size.

Windows:  Selecting the right window treatment is key.  Opt for small scaled window shades or blinds.  Honeycomb shades with micro-pleats or wood and aluminum blinds that have thinner slats are an effective choice.  Choose narrower louvers for shutters and roman shades are also available with smaller hobbles.

If you’re using fabric window treatments, avoid patterns and contrasts but instead, opt for a treatment that matches the wall color to keep a monochrome background palette.

Furniture:  Avoid cluttering the room with too much furniture. Choose smaller-sized pieces and consider dark-colored furnishing  that contrast with your light walls.  Remember;  less is more!

Flooring:  Most often your options for wood, tile or carpet flooring won’t dramatically affect the size of your room. Wall-to-wall carpeting in a solid color or subtle texture is best for keeping unity in the room.  Go for simple, minor patterns and pass on using an area rug as that will break up your floor space when using wood or tile floors.

Take photos of your room, before and after and you will be amazed with the results just following these simple tips!