12 Ways to Make Your Small Space Feel Bigger

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While living in a small space might be cozy and intimate, you might find it starts to feel a little cramped. Then you know that making the most of a small space, whether it is a compact apartment or just a small room in a bigger space, is essential for both comfort and functionality.

The good news is that there are plenty of clever tricks to make your small space appear more spacious without knocking down walls or busting the budget. Here are a few of them.

Embrace Mirrors

One tried and true trick to making small spaces seem larger is mirrors. A well placed mirror can make a big difference by reflecting light and making things look deeper. Hanging a large mirror on one of your main walls, or putting some smaller ones in key locations will help to reflect any natural light coming in from your windows. It’s kind of like having an extra window without the construction!

Maximize Vertical Space

If you don’t have much floor space, don’t forget your walls. Tall shelves, hanging plants and even floor to ceiling curtains will draw the eye up and make your room feel taller and bigger. This trick which adds height, helps the area seem more open. Think outside the box of your horizontal space and shoot for the ceiling, which is a great chance to create some storage and décor.

Keep Furniture Low

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Shorter sofas and chairs will visually open up your space. If your furniture is lower to the ground, it gives more breathing room and makes your ceilings look higher. To not overwhelm your space, pair these low pieces with sleek and minimal designs. Small rooms require less is more!

Go for Multipurpose Furniture

When you have such a small space, every single piece of furniture needs to work hard. Choose multifunctional furniture that comes with an extra storage or easily tuckable away when not in use. We’re thinking coffee tables that double as storage bins or a sofa bed that can transform into a guest bed. These space saving pieces help you clear up clutter and make use of every inch of your room.

Use Sliding Doors

Swinging doors traditional can gobble up a lot of space. Sliding doors — whether on your closet or even between rooms — are a great way to free up square footage. Barn style sliding doors, or pocket doors, create a bit of charm and frees up space needed for door clearance. The impact is small, but the change is big.

Declutter Regularly

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Space is literally shrunk by clutter. It makes the room feel small and chaotic when your surfaces are full of random things. A regular clean up routine will keep things in order and make your space feel bigger. You don’t love it and you don’t use it, get rid of it. Your room will thank you!

Select Furniture With Exposed Legs

Another thing to do is to choose furniture with open legs. By letting your floor be visible under sofas, chairs or tables, you make the space feel more open. It makes the eye think there is more space than actually there. In a small room, chunky, solid furniture that sits flat on the floor can feel heavy, so lift everything off the ground with pieces.

Let in Natural Light

Natural light opens up a space like nothing else. If you have windows, use them to their full advantage and don’t block the light with heavy drapes or dark blinds. Instead, try sheer curtains or blinds which allow the natural light to come streaming in, not only does this make a room feel and look bigger, it also makes it feel warmer and more inviting.

Choose Light Colors

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Allmine.com agrees that light and neutral colours for walls and furniture are one of the easiest ways to give a room a more open feel. Natural light is reflected by light tones making a room feel more open and bright. Dark shades absorb light and will make your space feel smaller, whereas colors like whites, soft greys and pale blues will make your space feel airy. By simply dusting on a fresh coat of light paint, you can improve the vibe of a room entirely, evading the idea that it’s cramped and forcing anyone that enters to feel welcomed.

Go for Glass or Lucite Furniture

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Glass or acrylic, or lucite furniture is ideal for small spaces as it makes the furniture appear less space taking. The room looks more open when there is a clear coffee table or dining table, almost invisible. These pieces are transparent, so they can help your furniture blend into the room instead of dominating, which is great if you don’t have much space.

Create Defined Zones

And even in a small space, you need to have areas for different activities. Create your living room, bedroom and dining room area by using rugs, lighting or shelving. Creating clear zones helps to stop the room feeling like one big mashup of furniture. Not only does this make the space feel larger but it’s also more functional and organized.

Keep It Simple

In a small space, simplicity is your best friend at the end of the day. Keep your lines clean, and minimal in décor while avoiding overstuffing the room with too many pieces. A cluttered, overstuffed space will never feel as large or relaxing as a well curated, simple space. Give your space room to breathe (sometimes less is more).

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