Different furnishings and decor choices for your home can make a drastic difference and transform a cramped space into a more comfortable and inviting one. Want to make your small spaces seem bigger? Here are 5 decorating tips to make your small spaces look and feel bigger:
- Opt for furniture with exposed legs: furniture with exposed legs can give the impression of more storage and floor space. The exposed legs reveal the space underneath and visually open up your room. Try to avoid bottom-heavy furniture, such as beds and couches with skirts, which can tend to make your spaces feel more cramped and closed off.
- Hang your curtains high: Curtains can dramatically affect your perception of a room’s size. Floor-to-ceiling curtains give the illusion of a taller ceiling and the higher you hang your curtain rod, the taller your window can appear. So, install your curtain rods above the window frame (Architectural Digest recommends hanging them between four to six inches above the top of the frame). And another option is to hang your curtains all the way up to the ceiling.
- Utilize storage spaces to avoid lots of clutter: keeping a room simple can give the illusion of a bigger space. Small spaces can quickly look cluttered and busy, so we recommend organizing and arranging your items out of sight and in closed spaces. A great way to minimize clutter is using decorative storage bins and storing your items in enclosed cabinets and closets.
- Paint your walls a light color: light paint colors reflect natural light and give the illusion of an open and airy room. The general rule of thumb is, the lighter the color, the bigger and brighter your room will appear. Whereas darker shades absorb light and tend to make rooms feel smaller. However, you’re not limited to using boring stark white paints, you can choose any light neutral color in the correct undertones and finishes to brighten your rooms.
- Use mirrors: mirrors reflect light and give the illusion of depth to small spaces. A tall oversized mirror is not only functional, but it can also do wonders at visually opening up your room. Another tip is pairing your mirrors with lamps or placing them opposite a window to maximize brightness and bounce light around your room.