Choose a Light Color Scheme
Although paint colors are subjective, dark colors are often a no-no in small rooms. Lighter color palettes cast the illusion of a larger area and make the space feel airy, like in this kitchen from
@jogalbraithathome
. When dark color schemes are used in smaller rooms, it can create a suffocating feeling as though the walls are closing in on what is already a space-challenged room.
What We Like About It:
“Lighter tones are a go-to for small rooms because they reflect light, but I always suggest warm, soft neutrals like off-white, pale taupe or muted sage instead of stark white as I find it too sterile for a home,” says interior designer, Bree Steele.
Leggy Furniture
Opting for furniture with legs showing opens up a small space. Large furniture pieces that rest directly on the floor can appear too bulky and visually weigh down the room. While leggy furniture allows the floor to breathe, creating the illusion of more light and space in a small room.
What We Like About It:
“Raised furniture leaves more of the floor to be visible, which tricks the eye into perceiving more space,” says Steele.
Sheer Window Treatments
Stay away from
clunky, weighty, and elaborate window decorations. While they might appear attractive, the dense materials
Reduce excessive natural light. Utilize the windows in a compact space to spread illumination throughout each area. Opt for slatted blinds, translucent drapes, or bamboo shades.
What We Appreciate About It:
When closed, slatted blinds ensure privacy, whereas bamboo shades grant partial privacy (while still letting sunlight pass through their interwoven structure) when shut.
Use Mirrors
Achieve a sense of spaciousness in a compact room through strategic use of mirrors. These can be perfect additions to make your space look more extensive. Mirrors offer dual advantages: they create the illusion that the room is twice its actual size due to reflections, particularly when employing a single massive floor mirror, similar to what’s shown here.from
@life_at_number52
Secondly, natural light bounces off the mirrors, giving the space an open and airy feel.
What We Enjoy About It:
I frequently place a big mirror opposite a window to bounce off natural light,” explains Steele. “Alternatively, for a dual-purpose solution, consider using mirrored furniture in your area.
Color-Coordinate Shelves
Arrange decorative pieces with matching hues on wall shelves or bookcases. This keeps a compact space appearing tidy and orderly instead of messy. Additionally, you might utilize baskets and bins on these shelves to conceal unsightly objects while ensuring necessary items remain easily accessible.
What We Enjoy About It:
Tiny spaces certainly don’t have to lack personality! Feel free to incorporate all your cherished decorations and trinkets, but maintaining an ordered arrangement based on hue could make a compact area appear more spacious.
Add Stripes
I really enjoy a great striped piece, and this one is absolutely stunning from
@graceful_designs_diy
This serves as an ideal illustration. To make your room appear larger, use vertical stripes on walls or furnishings; this will guide the gaze upward. You might opt for striped wallpaper, paint vertical patterns directly onto the walls, or install floor-to-ceiling striped curtains.
What We Enjoy About It:
Discover a method to include striped wallpaper on the walls,” suggests interior designer Ashley Powell. “Go one step further by adorning those walls with grosgrain ribbon trimmed with nail studs.
Incorporate Multifunctional Furniture
Don’t overload a small room with too much furniture. Instead, use furniture that can serve a dual purpose—that way the room is still functional, but not overcrowded. Try a sofa with hidden storage, a steamer trunk used as a coffee table, or like in this bedroom from
@lifeat_rosecottage
—A makeup vanity also serves as a nightstand.
What We Appreciate About It:
Compact designs, which should serve multiple purposes, create more open area for visual exploration,” states Steele. “Additionally, modular and nesting items are excellent choices because they provide adaptability without overcrowding the room.
Tall Storage Furniture
You may believe that compact bookcases or petite storage pieces work well in a modestly sized chamber. However, this notion is incorrect. Taller furnishings can make the area appear larger and offer additional spaces for both organization and embellishment. Feel free to opt for an upright bookcase that stretches up to the ceiling!
What We Enjoy About It:
Tall secretaries and étagères excel at drawing attention upward in compact areas,” explains Powell, “This effect is particularly pronounced when these surfaces are adorned with artwork and intriguing items.
Ditch the Clutter
To make a compact space appear more spacious, begin with tidying up. Excessive mess can overwhelm the available area and cause the room to seem tiny and confined. You don’t necessarily need to adopt minimalism; however, aim to minimize visible disarray and unnecessary objects as far as possible, displaying only significant or practical items.
What We Enjoy About It:
Decluttering is potent! Not only does it make tiny spaces appear more spacious, but it also enhances your mood and clears up valuable mental real estate.
Light-Colored Flooring
Pale-colored flooring can make an area appear more spacious. Specifically, light wood enhances the reflection of light throughout the room, contributing to an overall feeling of openness. Should you lack the ability to change your dark wooden floors or carpeting, opt for light-hued rugs to maximize coverage across the floor.
What We Enjoy About It:
If your compact area features an open floor layout, using consistent light-colored flooring can create an illusion of endless space. Different types of flooring can divide the rooms and make them appear more confined.
Monochromatic Color
“A monochromatic color palette (imagine walls, trim, and ceiling painted in identical hues) effectively enlarges a room by providing a continuous appearance without distinct lines for the eye to focus on,” explains Steele. For a compact area, lighter tones are preferable, so consider using soft shades such as warm taupe or sage green. However, a single muted shade can also be effective, similar to what was done in this particular space.
@meganpisanodesign
.
What We Enjoy About It:
If the walls and ceiling share the same hue, your vision can’t distinguish where the wall ends and the ceiling starts; thus, giving the impression of an infinite space.
Photographer:
@meghanbalcomphotography
Built-In Storage Cabinet
Occasionally, the sole deficiency in a compact bathroom is inadequate storage. If additional floor area isn’t available, think about installing a built-in cabinet that makes use of the empty space inside the walls. Either you or a professional can construct this practical cabinet.
detailed instructions found here
.
What We Enjoy About It:
The storage cabinet is completely constructed within the wall, saving valuable floor space yet offering shelved storage solutions.
Clear Furniture
Heavy dark woods or large pieces of furniture can make a space feel cramped and weighed down. Consider choosing transparent options like a glass desk or a clear acrylic coffee table, similar to what is shown here.
@adlintejeda
Transparent furniture enables greater visibility of the flooring, making a compact space appear more spacious while also offering an elegant and distinctive decorative touch.
What We Enjoy About It:
“Glass or acrylic pieces offer a nearly invisible appearance that maintains an open feel in the space,” according to Steele.
Plain Upholstery
Select simple, single-colored fabric for your furnishings rather than those adorned with intricate designs. Unpatterned, understated fabrics aid in giving a space a sleek appearance and reduce visual clutter. Additionally, using plain materials maintains the straightforward design of your furniture items, contributing to an overall sense of tidiness and calmness within the area.
What We Enjoy About It:
In contrast to fashionable designs, solid upholstery offers an enduring option that doesn’t risk falling out of favor.
Relocate Furniture From the Walls
You may believe that placing all your furniture right up against the walls will make a compact room appear larger, but this setup often looks unbalanced and clumsy. Minor tweaks such as positioning your couch slightly away from the wall, or shifting your bed out of the corner, can enhance the sense of flow and spaciousness in the area. Take for instance this charming living room from
@homewithchelc
demonstrates this advice in practice.
What We Enjoy About It:
Placing furniture centrally within a room maintains an intimate atmosphere for seating areas while also providing walkways along the edges,” explains Powell. “This design approach makes the space feel more open and airy.
Vertical Paneling
Install vertical panelling that accentuates the height to guide the gaze upwards,” suggests Steele. “This visual ascent deceives the mind into perceiving taller ceilings, thereby enhancing the perception of spaciousness.
What Appeals to Us About IRGBOF
t:
Not only does vertical paneling make a compact room appear more spacious, but it also introduces an intriguing decorative feature that enhances the room’s overall aesthetic and comfort.
Play with Scale
Clearly, cramming a compact space with large furnishings isn’t advisable; however, filling it solely with tiny items won’t do the trick either. Overloading an area with diminutive decor makes it resemble a chaotic miniature setting akin to a dollhouse. As Powell advises, “Ensure there’s a harmonious mix of suitably scaled carpets, caseworks, and seating.”
What We Enjoy About It:
A substantial rug, an imposing bookshelf, or a spacious armchair can serve as the focal point of the room without compromising the available area for additional furniture.
Strategic Lighting
Proper lighting can enhance a compact area, making it appear more spacious. Consider using semi-flush or flush-mounted ceiling lights to reflect illumination throughout the room without obstructing your view. Additionally, floor lamps contribute to the perception of height, whereas wall sconces rather than table lamps help maintain open surfaces—as demonstrated in this petite bedroom within a studio apartment.
@heyiitscourt/
.
What We Appreciate About It:
Properly selected lighting can make a compact area more functional, and also create a warm atmosphere with a gentle radiance.
Large Artwork
A single over-sized artwork adorning the wall of a compact space lends an air of magnificence. Consider the sizable art featured in this modest children’s bedroom by
@jessica_kaarina
gives the impression of more spaciousness. Decorations and wall accents that are too diminutive can appear cluttered in a compact room with restricted wall area.
What We Appreciate About It:
Large-scale art pieces can significantly impact a compact space without hindering movement through the area.
About the Experts
-
Bree Steele
works as an interior designer and event stylist at RJ Living. With more than ten years of experience in the field, she has decorated residences, Airbnbs, and business areas. Her enthusiasm lies in assisting individuals in designing elegant and practical environments that highlight abundant natural light and soft color schemes. -
Ashley Powell
is an interior designer and co-owner of
Roseberry Allen Interior Design
She boasts more than 15 years of experience in the field. She collaborates closely with her clientele, merging elements of balance, size, and individuality to craft distinctive environments that seamlessly align with their personal lifestyles.
