12 Design Tricks to Make Your Small Space Feel Twice as Big

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Small spaces are charming, but sometimes they get too small. Whether you live in a studio apartment or a tiny home office, there is a certain amount of fun to be had in finding ways to maximize small square footage. The right colors, furniture choices, even lighting can make a huge difference in how your small space feels: open, functional, comfortable.

You don’t need an expensive renovation or new furniture. Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter most. Using the following tips and with a bit of creativity, you can turn any small room into a space with twice the size.

Use Light Colors

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Light colors on your walls and ceiling are one of the simplest ways to make a space feel larger. Instead of darker color, use lighter shades of white, soft grays pastels because they are weaker shades and allow more light to strike them and give our room a more lightened and open feel. Cozy doesn’t have to mean dark, as dark colors can make spaces feel more enclosed as they absorb light. Using a light color scheme can help open up a room and give the illusion of more space simply with a click of a button.

Embrace Mirrors

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Small spaces are like magic with mirrors. They reflect light and views, making the eye think there’s more space. Place a large mirror on a wall, or a gallery of smaller mirrors. Mirrored furniture such as coffee tables or cabinets can help you keep the space feeling light and open too. A mirror opposite a window can double the amount of natural light bouncing around your room.

Select Multi Functional Furniture

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If you’re short on space, everything has to work hard. You have to look for items that do more than one thing, like a bed with storage drawers underneath, or a sofa that can also be used as a guest bed. Not only does this save space but it also makes your room feel less cluttered. It’s like getting a “two for one” deal on functionality and style. Just make sure to clean them regularly.

Let There Be Light

Leaving Lights On
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Lighting is good for a room to make it seem bigger and more welcoming. An overhead light alone will cast shadows, making a small space feel smaller. Use a mix of lighting sources: to brighten up the space equally; you can add floor lights, table lights as well as wall lights. If you have windows, keep them unobstructed and let in that sunshine.

Go Vertical

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The walls are your best friends in small spaces. Store things up off the floor with shelving units that go up to the ceiling, or hanging organizers. If everything has its place on the wall, you leave your floor open and your room feels larger.

Choose Low-Profile Furniture

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According to Domino.com, furniture that is low profile will give the room a feeling of airiness and openness. Shorter legs on sofas, chairs and tables help create an open space beneath it, so your walls and ceiling appear taller and more spacious. It’s like giving your room a breath of fresh air.

Use a Limited Color Palette

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It’s tempting to pile on pop of every color you love, but limiting your color palette will help make a small space feel more cohesive and spacious. If you stick to similar shades, especially in light and neutral colors, your space won’t feel busy or cluttered. That doesn’t mean it has to be boring; you can use different textures, or different shades of the same colour, to create depth and interest.

Keep It Simple With Patterns

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In small spaces, patterns can be a double edged sword. Bold patterns give a room personality, but too many can make a room feel crowded. Instead of the pattern, go for simple ones or just limit the patterns to smaller items, such as throw pillow and rugs. If you’re a wallpaper fan, why not try a subtle design on one accent wall instead of all four?

Opt for Transparent Furniture

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Acrylic and glass furniture are great for small spaces. Because they’re see through, they don’t create a visual barrier, so light can flow through and the space doesn’t feel so congested. To bring in a little modern style without using up a lot of visual real estate, a glass coffee table or acrylic dining chairs can do the trick.

Keep the Floor Clear

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The more floor space you can see, the bigger the room will feel. Don’t have bulky furniture that touches the floor; go for pieces with legs instead. Floating shelves, wall mounted storage, and other items that do not touch the ground like the floor will also make a room appear bigger. For a light, open room, try to keep only the essentials on the floor.

Embrace Minimalism

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Small spaces are about less is more. Very quickly clutter can take over and a room can feel cramped and chaotic. Instead, just focus on picking a few decor pieces that you absolutely love, and keep the surfaces clear as possible. If you put a purpose for every item, the space will feel open and functional and you will be able to enjoy it completely.

Define Spaces With Rugs

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Rugs can help make a multi-use space more workable if you live in a studio apartment. Rugs are used to separate, say, a living area from a dining area, so even if they’re next to each other, each area still has its own identity. It’s a visual trick to make it seem like there’s not one large room, but many.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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