Tips to make a room look bigger

Tips to make a room look bigger. The key to successfully living in tight spaces may be easier than you think. It all comes down to tricking the eye into perceiving more space using three simple concepts: scale, light, and movement.

Reduce the scale.

Furniture for small spaces is all about proportions. Simply put, if a piece touches the limits of the room, either from top to bottom or from the side, it is too large. To create a feeling of spaciousness, always leave a little air between the sides of the furniture and the walls. (The only exception is a bed; a queen placed between two walls, for example, creates a cozy cave to sleep in.)

Also avoid heavy pieces that take up too much useful space in the room. For example, a sleek sofa or armchair will give you just as much seating space as its oversized cousin, but it will take up much less space in the room. If you want a big, eye-catching piece (a piece of art or a mirror), put it on the wall. Don’t take up valuable living space by putting it on the floor.

Keep a low profile, tips to make a room look bigger.

Furniture that is lower to the floor will create a feeling of openness in a room simply because it leaves more space above it.

In the bedroom, choose a loft bed or even try placing a mattress directly on the floor.

Show some leg on light furniture.

Again, creating the illusion of more space is about creating a sense of openness and movement.

Sleek furniture allows light and air to flow not only above, but also below and around, so that they appear to float in space.

Also think about mid-century modern furniture, which is low and with legs.

Or think of the perfect piece of raised furniture: the butterfly chair.

Mirrors, tips to make a room look bigger.

Any discussion of small spaces should include the idea of ​​using mirrors to create a greater sense of openness.

They not only reflect light, but also reflect the view, thus tricking the eye into perceiving more space.

Get rid of curtains (and rugs).

As we have seen with mirrors, it is all about fooling the eye. Curtains prevent the eye from seeing outside, even if they do not cover the entire window. Plus, the curtains just add more “stuff” to the room.

If you delete them, the space will be easier. If you want privacy, consider lightweight mesh or fabric blinds or curtains. Or if curtains are a must for you, use a rod that extends beyond the window frame, so you can fully expose.

The same goes for rugs. Take a look at all the small spaces in this article. Note that few have rugs or, if they do, how simple and minimal they are.

The color white, tips to make a room look bigger.

White opens up a room, making it feel airy and light, calm and serene. Painting the walls and ceiling the same shade of white only enhances this cloudy effect.

In addition, it serves to blur the boundaries between the wall and the ceiling, causing the eye to drift upward, essentially making the ceiling appear taller.

Finally, in small spaces, which can quickly take on a cluttered look, white is a good option because it simplifies the space and highlights the architecture.

If you are concerned that an all-white space will be too cold, combine it with warm items, such as wood, or with textured items, such as a wool blanket. And remember, you don’t have to choose a stark white.

Highlight verticality.

Whether it is a high shelf or vertical plates, using an element that highlights the vertical space of the room will increase the feeling of openness.

It also increases the feeling of movement and fluidity.

Emphasize horizontality, tips to make a room look bigger.

It all comes down to creating a sense of movement.

Like furniture with legs that create a sense of dynamism, or mirrors that reflect light and the view into the room, anything that makes your eye wander a room in a purposeful and orderly way will make it feel larger.

A cluttered room with lots of distracting items will also cause one eye to drift, but messily.

Clear the way.

When it comes to a small room, the natural thing is to want to maximize the space by pushing all the pieces towards the edges.

But if this causes you to bump into things, it can increase the feeling of claustrophobia.

Sometimes it is better to group furniture on one side of the room, so that people can pass through without obstacles.

Use fresh fabrics, tips to make a room look bigger.

If possible, avoid heavy materials and fabrics that absorb light and give the room weight.

Linen is a perfect example of a lightweight material that will increase the feeling of spaciousness in the room.

Above all, keep it simple.

In small spaces, everything is a matter of editing. The more pieces, possessions, and patterns you have in a room, the messier it will feel. Avoid too much junk or at the very least you should group them together to make them look like one installation. The same goes for works of art; concentrate the framed pieces on one or two walls.

Avoid ornate motifs and overwhelming colors. Or, if you absolutely must have that elaborate wallpaper, consider putting it on an accent wall. The same goes for color, try painting just one wall or one door and stick to just one shade. This is not the time to cover the whole gamut.

The bottom line is that you have to be strict with yourself (actually, this concept applies to all spaces) and be intentional with everything that enters the room. If you go for the wallpaper accent wall, keep the rest of the room simple. If you need that huge oil painting in your living room, try to make it the only art in the room.