5 Ways to Make a Room Feel Bigger
Making a room feel bigger is not as hard as it sounds. Now, haven’t we all struggled with that small space design dilemma? Here are my tips for making your small-ish room look and feel bigger!
1 . Choose Large Furniture Pieces
Use fewer pieces and choose larger pieces than you think. This may sound contradictory but let me talk you through it – a small room with lots of small furniture pieces has a tendency to feel cluttered and busy. A small room with fewer pieces can feel like there isn’t enough going on. But when you take those few pieces, and “size up” the headliners, the room can feel larger than it is! Take for example your sofa – keep the details simple, and the scale oversized, your impression upon entering is “Wow – that’s a big sofa in here, I’m pleasantly surprised! I can have a few guests over, there is a spot for everyone”. Now add to that a well styled side table with a smaller coffee table (or none at all), and a single petite armchair. Voila - your room feels bigger than it is!
2. Use an Area Rug to Group Furniture Pieces
Reduce visual clutter by grouping items, your mind’s eye will see the cluster as one, as opposed to many items. Tips for small rooms include using an area rug that fills the room – you want to measure your room and aim for a rug that fits within 24 inches overall of the width of the room - almost wall to wall. Center the sofa on the room, and center the width of the rug under the sofa. Sit all armchairs, and coffee table pieces so they have at least one or all legs, if possible, on the rug. Click here for more of my tips on choosing the right rug for your space.
3. Simplify and Create Clusters with Your Décor Pieces
Simplify your décor choices. Place a coffee table book, tray or cutting board first. Play with centered, or asymmetrical placement until you are happy. Stack books, layer objects, and vases as you desire – my tip here is keep the colours neutral, and the items “airy” and light. See my blog on How to Stage Your Coffee Table.
4. Vary Your Textures and Patterns and Keep It to A Minimum
Photo Credit: Lulu & Georgia
Choose 3 - that is my magic number when it comes to small spaces. Within your palette, select a highly textured textile, a dull or shiny metal, and a floral or striped pattern. Use one colour way, accented with these three textures or patterns.
Consider Texture - you could use a knotted wool rug (Salari), or possibly a textural fabric covered armchair (such as one of my favourites – the Margie Swivel chair in Natural Boucle).
Add metals - my go-to’s are matte black and brushed or polished brass. I also find these two metals mix easily, see my blog on Mixing Metals.
Patterns - These can be found on an accent chair, or toss pillows, wallpaper or rug.
5. Use Light Colours (mostly)
I say this as my last point because it pretty much is my go-to rule of thumb for the majority of spaces in general, large or small. Even when incorporating darker colours, I like to do this sparingly and thoughtfully, so Rule #5 holds true. I love mixing whites, and creams, and polished metals with lighter shades of grey, taupe, or tan. I feel that bringing light and brightness into any space, especially smaller spaces, visually opens it up for room to breathe. Bear in mind that this doesn’t minimize the importance and value of contrast within a room, but this can be achieved by popping in a touch of dark metal, or a moodier piece of art, even a dark sofa leg or chair base can fill that need for contrast that helps to pull your light colours together and anchor your room.
Bonus #6. Decorate with An Oversized Mirror
If you have space on a wall, incorporate a mirror. Whether it’s sitting on the floor, hanging on the wall, or over your mantle, a large mirror can amplify your small space in ways that you won’t regret. Give it a try! I love this West Elm mirror, this is the mirror shape I use most in projects for its scale and versatility.
“I believe that if you are true to expressing yourself, coupled with the right amount of discipline and routine, your space can reflect your personality, and you can turn your home into your haven.”
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