Four tips to make a small room look bigger
Prue Roscoe
Trick of the eye
Most of us can’t afford a palatial estate, but there are a few simple ways to make even the tiniest studio apartment look Kardashian-sized. Try these design tricks to create the illusion of space in your space.
Let there be light
The more light you have, the bigger your space will look. Keep your windows uncovered as much as possible to let in the sunlight, and install recessed fixtures to add light without taking up precious space. Paint the room in light colors, such as white, pale gray, powder blue or sunny yellow. Mirrors help bounce light around, too, so lean a few on the mantel, or hang a huge one on one wall.
Look up, look way up
Drawing the eye upward makes your walls look larger. Get the effect by hanging framed posters slightly higher on the wall than you usually would, or a focal point like some floating shelves filled with a grouping or two of chic tchotchkes. You can also hang curtains from the ceiling (instead of the top of the window), or invest in floor-to-ceiling bookcases.
Get the look: Ikea
Stay focused
Choose a large, yet streamlined statement sofa or eye-popping area rug and build the room around it — focal points like this give the room the weight that is often missing from small spaces (condo-sized furniture can actually make the space look smaller!). You can also make the room appear bigger by drawing the eye to a focal point on the far wall with a dramatic shade, bright wallpaper pattern, or with art.
Get the look: Crate&Barrel
Declutter
Cluttered spaces are small spaces. Clear out any unnecessary small pieces of furniture and knick-knacks, and buy double-duty furniture with built-in storage to stash your stuff. Any accessories that remain should be clustered together in groups so they don’t clutter up the space and make it look even more cramped. Make sure to leave plenty of space between furniture — even if there’s not much room to maneuver, creating even a little extra walking area between pieces will give the impression that you have space to spare.
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