Modern Real Estate Blog | Glass House Real Estate

How to Make a Small Room Look Bigger

Written by The Glass House Real Estate Team | Jul 18 2022

There can be benefits and challenges to living in small spaces. On the one hand, it is easier to organize, and you need fewer furnishings to fill it up. On the other hand, you have to be careful about choosing furniture and decorations that will not overwhelm the room. 

Tips for Making a Small Room Look Bigger

We have come up with some easy ways you can turn even the smallest space into a stylish and welcoming home.

Painting

When painting the inside of your home, light and dark colors create contrast and can give a room depth. Medium shades, on the other hand, will make your space appear smaller than it is. 

In contrast, dark and bright white colors that open up a room can make it appear more expansive.

The eye is naturally drawn to lighter colors, so painting your walls in a light hue will help create the illusion of more space. Dark colors can also ground a room and make it feel cozy. 

If you want to make a small room appear bigger, using light and dark colors to create contrast is an excellent place to start.

Since small rooms are not always square, when attempting to make a narrow room look wider with paint, remember that light and cool colors seem farther away. Warmer and darker have the illusion of being closer.

White is often seen as the color of purity, cleanliness, and simplicity. In design, though, white is much more than that. It can also create a feeling of spaciousness in a room. 

One way to do this is by using a monochromatic color scheme with different shades of white. This helps to create a sense of continuity in the space, making it feel larger and more open. 

Another way to use white to make a room look bigger is by incorporating stripes into the design. Horizontal lines will make a wall appear longer, while vertical lines will make it seem taller. Whether you use one color or lines, incorporating white into your design can help to create a feeling of spaciousness in any room.

Furniture

Another way to make a small room appear larger is to choose your furniture wisely. 

When picking out pieces, be mindful of proportions. If all the furniture is up against the walls, it will make the space seem smaller. You create a sense of roominess by strategically leaving some air between the walls and your furniture. 

In addition to appearing more spacious, this arrangement also allows for better traffic flow. So, not only will your room look bigger, but you will also be able to move around more easily. 

Careful furniture selection is one easy way to trick the eye and make a small room appear larger.

Large, heavy furniture can be dangerous in small rooms; they use too much space and draw all the focus to that part of the room.

Smaller furniture, such as end tables and coffee tables, should be placed in the center of the room to create a sense of balance. 

By avoiding large, heavy furniture, you can create a more functional and stylish small space.

Lighting

A room filled with natural light always looks more open and inviting than a dim, dull space. 

If you want to make your room look bigger, start by opening up the blinds and letting in some fresh air. 

You might also consider adding skylights to brighten things up from above. 

When it comes to artificial lighting, it's best to use multiple lamps around the room rather than one central light. This will help expand the space's feel and create a more ambient and inviting atmosphere.

With a little bit of light, you can transform your room into an airy haven that feels spacious and welcoming.

Mirrors

Mirrors are a great option to make a room look bigger. By reflecting and bouncing light from the windows, they help brighten up the room and create the illusion of more space. 

Hanging a mirror on the wall is also a great way to reflect the view and trick the eye into perceiving more space. 

In addition to making a room look bigger, mirrors can also be used to add depth and interest to a room. 

By placing a mirror opposite a window, for example, you can create the illusion of a second window and give the room a more open feel. 

Mirrors are also a great way to distribute light evenly throughout a room, which can help create a more inviting and cozier atmosphere. 

Whether you are looking to add light or create the illusion of more space, mirrors are an excellent tool to achieve your desired effect.

Decorations

The decorations and art you use in your room can make it seem smaller than it is by cluttering up your space. Not all surfaces in your room need to be covered in decoration. 

The more you open up your room, the larger the space will feel. 

Place décor arrangements in groupings of less than four items on dressers or tables. 

Placing decor on a tray helps to reduce the visual clutter. 

Utilizing one large-scale piece of art rather than several small pieces will also help to make a space feel larger. 

It is generally best to keep things simple and uncluttered to maximize the feeling of space in a room. By following these tips, you can ensure that your décor enhances your area rather than overwhelm it.



While some homeowners might shy away from small spaces, there are actually many benefits to working with a smaller room. Keeping a small room tidy and organized can be much easier. A smaller space can feel cozy and intimate, making it the perfect spot for entertaining guests or relaxing after a long day.