15 Ways to Make a Small Space Feel Bigger

Marieke Rijksen
Aug 12, 2022
8 min read

Updated: Nov 20

Having lived in cities all over the world, I know the charm of small spaces — and the challenges. They can be cosy and efficient, but also a bit cramped and chaotic if you’re not careful. The good news is that there are plenty of simple ways to help a room feel bigger and breathe a little more.

Cozy balcony with lanterns, potted plants, and string lights on orange walls. A small table with two chairs and pink tablecloth adds charm. — Optimal use of small balcony space by Doortje Kruisheer @thuisbijdoor. Photo by Lotte van Uittert.

The key to successful small-space living

The key to living comfortably in a smaller space is understanding a few basic design principles and actually putting them to work. You may have read my blog on How to Create Harmony in Your Home, where I break down these ideas in more detail.

In the end, it’s all about persuading the eye to read a room as larger than it is. Three concepts make the biggest difference: scale, light and creating movement through lines. Get those right with a few smart design choices and your space will instantly feel more open and far less boxed in.

Here are 15 clever ways to trick the eye and make a small room look and feel much bigger.

1. Scale it Down

Choose the Right Size Furniture that Suits the Space

Scale your furniture to the size of the room. Just because a large piece technically fits doesn’t mean it should be there. Choose pieces that make sense for the space without losing practicality.

It’s usually best to avoid big, heavy furniture in a small room. They take up valuable floor area and instantly pull all the attention to one spot, making the whole room feel smaller than it is.

Minimalist dining space - design by Rachel Peters @stylistsown

Pushing your furniture tight against the walls can actually make a small room feel even smaller. Leaving a little breathing space creates a sense of openness.

The longest visual line in a room is the diagonal, so placing a piece at an angle naturally draws the eye along the longer stretch of the space. You might even gain a bit of bonus storage behind it.

If you have taller pieces, keep those against the wall to avoid breaking up the room.

2. Show some Leg

Opt for Furniture with Legs Showing

Besides the aesthetic appeal, choosing furniture with visible legs helps open up a small space. Pieces that sit directly on the floor can feel heavy and overwhelm the room.

Furniture with legs naturally draws the eye upward and gives the impression of more light and space. Mid-century designs are perfect for this, as they tend to feel airy and well-balanced in smaller rooms.

Another good option is clear furniture. A glass coffee table, for example, adds function and style without taking away any visual floor space.

Modern room with black chairs, glass table, pink flowers, and books. Abstract art on teal wall, unique rattan lamps, cozy ambiance. — Lithe mid century furniture - Design by Linda @deense_zomer

3. Keep a Low Profile

Lower Furniture Creates a Sensation of Having Air to Breathe

Another way to make a room feel bigger is to keep the furniture lower to the ground. It creates a sense of height in a low room by leaving more open space above each piece.

4. Emphasise the Lines

Play around with Vertical and Horizontal Lines to Create a Sense of Movement

We’ve read in How to Create Harmony in Your Home that lines define a space and guide how we experience it. There are three main types to think about: horizontal, vertical and dynamic (such as curved or diagonal lines).

Horizontal lines often appear in tables, chairs and other low furnishings. Vertical lines show up in doors, windows and taller pieces like bookcases. Dynamic lines encourage movement or pull the eye in a certain direction, like a staircase or a vaulted ceiling.

Using one clear vertical element — a tall shelf, a feature chimney or a vertical wall treatment — will make the room feel taller and more open. It also adds a subtle sense of movement and flow.

Cozy living room with a beige sofa, rust cushion, plant on a table, and books including "All About Y." White walls create a serene vibe. — Great use of lines by Angelique @at_angies_place

Likewise, exaggerating the horizontal lines will widen the room and make it appear bigger.

5. Clear a Path

Resist the Temptation to Fill the Space

When living in a small space, it's natural that you want to use it to the fullest. People often feel they maximise the space by pushing all the pieces to the edges. However, this often causes you to bump into things as stuff is scattered around, and it can actually enhance a claustrophobic feel.

Sometimes it is better to group the furniture on one side of the room and clear a path, so you can pass through unhindered.

Read here why it is important to zone your space.

6. Keep it Breezy

Embrace Sheer Window Treatments

Avoid window treatments that are bulky, heavy, and ornate. They may look pretty but drapes, valances, cornices, and curtains made of heavy material absorb too much natural light. Use the windows in a small room to bring light into every corner.

7. Create an Illusion

Make Windows Appear Bigger than They Truly Are

Hang curtains as high as possible. In order to make your windows and walls seem higher, put the rod as high above the window as possible. Attaching the rail close to the ceiling tricks the eye into believing the wall is bigger.

Tall curtains are the way to go; floor-to-ceiling drapery will provide an instant height boost to any room. Think of windows and curtains as a woman wearing high heels; they instantly look taller. Mid-size curtains are always a no-no to me, but in the case of small spaces, this is even more valid.

Modern living room with a grey sofa, fluffy throw, white cabinet, large TV, plants, and sheer curtains. Neutral tones create a calming vibe. — Living room with floor-to-ceiling sheer curtains - design by Kelly Donougher @13interiors

Another option is to eliminate curtains altogether for a completely minimalistic and clean look.

8. Keep it Light

Opt for a Light Colour Scheme

It’s no surprise that light paint colours make a room feel bigger and brighter. Light, reflective walls create an open, airy look and maximise natural light, while darker shades tend to absorb it and make a space feel smaller.

An accent wall can also help a room feel larger. It adds colour or texture without overwhelming the space.

You can paint your trim and mouldings in a lighter colour than the walls to push the walls visually further back. Or go the opposite way and paint everything the same light shade. This blurs the lines between walls and ceiling, draws the eye upward and makes the ceiling feel higher, creating a calm and seamless look.

Cozy living room with gray sofa, pillows, wooden chair, coffee table, hanging plants, woven wall art, white curtains, and wooden floor. — Bright living room with area rug - design by Anna Moore @moore_creative

Small rooms aren’t always simple squares. Some are long and narrow, and paint can make a big difference in how they’re perceived. Light, cool colours tend to recede and feel farther away, while warm, darker shades advance.

For a long, narrow room, painting the shorter end walls one or two shades darker than the longer walls will make them feel closer and help the space read more like a square. If you prefer to emphasise the room’s length instead, paint the longer walls a darker shade. It depends on the effect you want.

Beyond paint, light flooring also helps a room feel larger. If you can’t change dark floors or carpet, use a light rug that covers as much of the space as possible.

9. Be Creative with Artificial Lighting

Add some Creative Effects using Light Fixtures.

Natural light opens up the interior of any room and makes it look larger. A roof skylight for example, is a fantastic way to bring in more natural light, making the space feel brighter and more expansive.

That’s great if you have natural light. If you don’t have that luxury, try adding some creative effects using lighting fixtures. You’ll be amazed at what appropriate lighting can do for a space.

10. Mirror Mirror on the wall

Open up the space with a reflective mirror.

Mirrors are an excellent way to make a room look bigger as they help reflect and bounce light from the windows. Another benefit of hanging a mirror on the wall is that it reflects the view and tricks the eye into the perception of increased space.

11. Clean the Clutter

Clear the space, clear the mind.

Clutter is the enemy of small spaces. Too much clutter will make any room look smaller. If you're a maximalist in a small space, I'd consider changing design preferences or moving house.

If you wonder how to make small rooms look bigger, getting rid of clutter is by far the easiest thing you can do. Find creative ways to store your cherished items out of sight if you cannot bear to part with them.

Cozy workspace with tan chair, wooden desk, gold lamp, and open book. Gray curtains, art, and potted plant add warmth; sunlight filters in. — Tidy built-in desk - design by Rachel Peters @stylistsown

Minimalism applies to your walls too. Avoid covering them with lots of small pictures. One larger artwork usually makes a room feel more spacious than a cluster of tiny frames. If you choose a statement piece, let it be the only artwork in the room. And if you opt for a wallpapered feature wall, keep everything else simple so the space doesn’t feel busy.

Small spaces are all about editing. Be intentional with every item you bring in — it makes all the difference.

12. Clever Storage

Create multifunctional storage solutions that free up floor space.

Small spaces often lack storage, so it helps to think vertically. If you can’t spare any floor area, consider a built-in cabinet that uses the empty space within the walls.

Choose furniture that does more than one job — a sofa with hidden storage, an ottoman that opens up, or a trunk that doubles as a coffee table all earn their place in a small room.

Downsized or flexible furniture can also make a big difference. Nesting tables, extendable dining tables, a sofa bed or swapping a full recliner for a medium chair with a footstool are all smart ways to create more breathing space.

Colorful abstract art hangs above a cozy bench with colorful cushions and books. The room has a bright, modern feel. — Built in bench with art focal point - design by Anna Wood @picchio_interiors

13. Choose Textures over Patterns

Too Much Pattern Can Overwhelm a Small Space.

Choose plain, solid-colour upholstery instead of pieces with busy patterns for how to make a small space look bigger and feel more open and less chaotic. Plain upholstery also preserves the clean lines of furniture pieces, making a room feel neat and orderly.

Minimalistic living room with beige sofa, round cushions, abstract decor, and books on a black coffee table. Soft light through sheer curtains. — Calm and neutral living room design by Sinem Yilmaz @lifeofsy

14. Create a Focal Point

Define the Aspect of the Room the Eye is Going to Travel to First.

The focal point is one of the most fundamental elements in interior design. It's the star of the room. It's the first place viewers' eyes should land when they enter the room, and the emphasis point is around where you build the rest of your design.

Arrange the furniture so that focus is drawn to that area, and keep the styling in the rest of the room to a minimum (limit the number of accessories).

15. Keep Calm & Colour Coordinate

Place and Store Items with Similar Colours.

This helps keep a small room looking organised rather than cluttered. You can group books by colour, for example, and stick to a simple palette. Try not to introduce too many colours in a small space — three at most, with two used mainly as accents — otherwise the room can start to feel a bit like a circus.

Final Words

Small rooms may be tight on space, but they don’t need to feel that way. With a few smart choices and a bit of editing, even the tiniest corners can feel open, airy and considered. It’s all about guiding the eye and making every piece work a little harder.