Get Started
NOW
Receive your estimate

Tips and Tricks For Making a Small Room Look Larger

Small RoomIncreasing Your Square Footage Without Needing A Construction Crew

 

by Kevin Scott

Trickery and deceit are never a good thing—unless we’re talking about home design. You may not be able to actually increase the square footage you’re working with, but you can certainly utilize some clever tricks to make a space look larger.

Design is really about understanding how to take advantage of everything from furnishings to window treatments to open up a space. Following these tips can take a space from small and cramped to airy and spacious.

Think Vertically

The key to decorating a small room is to draw the eye upward. If you have a boxy room that seems small, use tricks that will bring your eye toward the ceiling. The effect is that the ceilings not only appear higher, but the room will also take on a more grandiose feeling.

So how do you do it?
  • Choose Artwork that is long, and reaches up toward the ceiling. If you don’t have art that fits this description, consider creating a gallery wall, where you can incorporate a collection of several smaller pieces of art or photographs, and bring them up to the ceiling.

  • Utilize vertical stripes. This can be done in many ways; using wallpaper with vertical stripes, using painters tape as a template to paint vertical stripe, or even something as subtle as choosing window coverings that feature a vertical pattern. Much like vertical stripes in clothing can make you appear longer and leaner when you’re wearing them, the impact can be similar when used in a room.

  • Pendant lighting is also a good way to incorporate vertical components in a room, because the length of the light hanging from the ceiling immediately draws the eyes upward

Create Zones

Creating zones is an easy and functional way to trick the eye into believing a room is larger than it really is. What this means is designating various spaces within one room. For example, if your bedroom is small, think about having the area where the bed is, but then also designating a reading area with a couple of well-placed chairs and maybe a small table in-between. In a living room you can create a similar effect, using things like shelves or decorative room dividers to delineate different areas. When doing this, just ensure you plan a clear and usable traffic pattern, otherwise you run the risk of having a room that feels cramped and cluttered.

Functional and Streamlined Furniture

Don’t overwhelm a small space with burdensome furniture. Instead, choose items that are multi-purpose, low to the ground, sleek and streamlined. It’s also a good idea to choose furniture that pulls double-duty, to best take advantage of the available space.  For example, choose a bed that has storage built-in underneath, and also sits low to the ground. You can also opt for sofas that are low to the ground, and rather than using large entertainment centers or bulky shelves, go for a floating effect by installing shelving directly on the wall. You’ll save valuable floor space, making the room appear larger and also maximizing what’s available to you.

Simple and Elegant Window Coverings

In order to open up a small space, simple window treatments often work best, and they should be kept uniform throughout the room. Choose something that can easily be adjusted to allow for ample natural light. Additionally, if your ultimate goal is increasing the apparent size of a room, a good rule of thumb is to choose window treatments that are similar to the color of the walls. The reason? When there’s contrast in the color of the window treatments and the walls, it causes a break in the space, which makes it look smaller than it does when there’s continuity.

Another great tip? If you’re using draperies, mount them as close to the ceiling as possible. This all goes back to our first tip—anything to draw the eye upward.

Harness the Magic of Mirrors

Mirrors are an amazing tool in the world of decorating, and they can really create the illusion of space in even the most confined of rooms. Mirrors have dual purposes—they reflect light, but they also eliminate boundaries within a room. Try using a tall mirror placed on the floor, mirrors to reflect the view from a window, or creating an arrangement of mirrors on a wall. All of these are instant space-creators.

Just Get Creative

Whether you live in an urban apartment, or have a small room in your home that you’re starting to decorate, having limited space doesn’t limit your design possibilities. With a little creativity you can create the appearance of a spacious, beautiful room, even if you’re lacking in square footage.




Special Offer
FREE TEMPORARY SHADES WITH EVERY ORDER
GET THIS DEAL



US Verticals Service

Albert G.


After lots of call to other companies, US Verticals was the least expensive with a much better product. The Shutters…

US Verticals Service

Ali R.


The whole process from A to Z when I was dealing with US verticals was seamless and hassle free. I…

US Verticals Service

Andy See


The techs came and took measurement and gave us a quote which is very reasonable. It was $928 plus tax.…

US Verticals Service

Anne Marie E.


From the initial call and scheduling an appointment, Kevin and Dan arrived promptly, explaining the difference in their products, taking…

US Verticals Service

Birma Montes


Very friendly and professional service. The assistance was great since we visited the store until the installation of the verticals…

US Verticals Service

Carlos Level


The word perfect, it is not enough. The work was excellent. On time, and a perfect and fast job.

US Verticals Service

Christine Batista


Re-did Vertical Blinds in living room and formal dining area. This time around we decided to not only change the…

US Verticals Service

Donna Becherer


As always, these folks do a great job! Thanks for keeping the quality and service topnotch.

US Verticals Service

Eric Goldman


We recently purchased a new home and saw US VERTICALS at a neighbors house. I stopped by and asked if…




guarantee
Ask about our unconditional
Price Match Guarantee
See Details



icon Always on Time
icon Honest PRICING
icon 25+ Years
icon Best Warranty