Today I’m sharing 20 practical interior design tips on how to make a small room look bigger. I firmly believe you can make any house a home, on any budget, with good design principles in mind. Proper space planning, color techniques, and the right decor will go a long way! Small homes take some intentionality to set up, and I’m here to help you maximize your small home so it’s comfortable, functional, and joyful to live in.
Having a small room can feel frustrating when you’re trying to make it functional, stylish, and comfortable all at once.
Clutter, poor flow, and lack of flexibility can feel like a permanent challenge.
But with the right design approach, small rooms can feel open, inviting, and even spacious.
Yes, I promise!
After living in small apartments and a 1300sqft one-floor home in Texas for years, I’ve learned a lot of design tricks that kept our home feeling spacious even if we couldn’t change our actual square-footage.
I put together 20 *actually do-able* design ideas for you below for how to make a small room look bigger.
Your home, no matter the size, should feel like a place of refuge and comfort. Setting it up to it’s maximum potential is so important.
Try a few of these and let me know if it makes a difference for you!
1. Go Light and Bright
To make a small room feel bigger, you need to create the illusion of space. Light wall colors like whites, creams, and pale earthy tones can make even the smallest rooms feel open. Choose lighter materials like linen or cotton for curtains, furniture, and bedding. Let in the most light possible with sheer curtains and light-filtering blinds–the more natural light the better! These fabrics feel airy and won’t weigh down the space visually too, helping your room keep a light and breezy feel. Use dark colors sparingly as accents around the room.
2. Use Mirrors Strategically
Mirrors are a secret design weapon for how to make a small room look bigger. Add a mirror on the wall across from your windows to bounce that extra natural light around the room, making it feel instantly brighter and more open. You also could add a mirror on the wall behind your furniture, on the fireplace mantel, or on a strategic open spot on your wall. The reflection tricks the eye into perceiving more space, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.
3. Incorporate Transparent Furniture
Glass and acrylic furniture like coffee tables or dining chairs can make a small room feel less crowded. Transparent pieces reduce visual clutter in the room and can help prevent the small space from feeling overwhelming.
4. Make Floor-To-Ceiling Connections
One important design rule for how to make a small room feel bigger is to think vertically. Drawing your eyes upwards will instantly make a small room look bigger than it really is. Try adding a floor-to-ceiling wall treatment like vertical wood slats or vertical shiplap depending on your style. You could add vertical patterns with wallpaper, curtains, or murals. Make sure to hang your curtains high and wide to make your windows seem extra tall. (Don’t forget your curtains need to kiss the floor!)
5. Use Small Space Planning 101
Cutting design corners in your small home can sometimes make sense. But if you want to maximize your home’s functionality and comfort, don’t skimp on these important space planning measurements. Here are a few rules of thumb to know:
- The ideal distance between your coffee table and couch is about 18 inches.
- TV’s should be at eye level, or 40-60″ off the floor when mounted.
- Maintain at least 36″ for walkways and pathways throughout your home. Avoid blocking natural walkways with furniture.
- Comfortable seats are 16-18 inches off the floor, 18 inches deep, and 16-20 inches wide, with a backrest of at least 14″ high.
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6. Maximize Your Vertical Space
Another way to draw your eye up is with furniture and decor. Hang tall art or use a tall gallery wall to seemingly extend the height of the wall. Be careful about adding tall, bulky furniture! Instead, opt for open shelving like bookcases or wall-mounted shelves. This can add practical storage to help you avoid floor clutter.
7. Repeat Materials, Styles, and Colors
The design principle of continuity plays a big part in how to make your small home look bigger. Use consistent colors, materials, and finishes throughout the space to eliminate visual breaks that can make a room feel disjointed. Matching decor and complementary styles help tie everything together, giving your space a feeling of completion.
8. Create a Home Color Palette
Establishing a cohesive color palette for your entire home will not only save you time and stress, but it will help you work towards your larger vision for what your home should look like. Decide what colors you’d like to use throughout your home, and use them variously (but consistently) throughout your rooms with wall colors, decor, textiles, furniture, lighting, etc. The repetition will make your rooms feel connected, which helps make your home feel bigger.
9. Optimize Your Layout
Evaluate your goals for your space. How do you spend your time in your living room? If you want it set up for socializing, your furniture should be arranged so you can look at the people across from you, like an H shape. If you enjoy watching TV, set up your living room in more of a U or L shape so the majority of your seating can see the TV without cramping your neck. For flex-spaces, play around with the right set up until it feels right. One key in how to make a small room look bigger is to get your layout at it’s best! With flow and function in mind.
10. Embrace Multipurpose Furniture
Find furniture that can pull double duty to keep clutter to a minimum, like ottomans with hidden storage, or bed frames with drawers. This will add so much functionality to your small space, freeing up floor and wall space so it doesn’t feel cluttered. And because there are so many high quality furniture options available now, you don’t have to sacrifice on style. (My friend DIY design Emily came up with these super creative ways to use multi-purpose furniture around your small home!)
11. Keep the Floor Clear with Floating Furniture
Another practical solution for how to make a small room look bigger is to use floating furniture. Use wall-mounted lights, floating nightstands, or wall-mounted storage. Keeping your everyday items organized and off the floor is so important in a small space! Set up systems of organization to help you be successful in the long run. Floating furniture gives you more floor space and makes the room feel less cluttered.
12. Embrace All The Natural Light
Maximize the natural light in your room by using sheer curtains or lightweight blinds. The more sunlight, the better for small spaces! Don’t block your windows with furniture or heavy window treatments.
13. Add Layers for Depth
Layers are an important part of styling any home. For small homes, the key is to create visual interest and warmth through your decor, but to avoid it looking like busy or chaotic. You don’t want your room to look like an empty box. Keep it simple with few accent pillows, throws, rugs, and light decor around the room. Let your everyday items fill in the rest.
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14. Add Greenery
I cannot emphasize enough how much life plants add to a small space! Try to incorporate at least one large, strategic plant if you have room. Add a few hanging plants near a window, or a smaller plant on a table. If you don’t have a green thumb or don’t want the maintenance that comes with live plants, tuck a few faux plants around the room instead. It will be totally worth it, trust me.
15. Experiment with Scale
A single oversized piece, like a bold lamp or large artwork, can make a statement and add sophistication to your small space. When chosen carefully, it anchors the room without overwhelming it. In the grand scheme of how to make a small room look bigger, this one might be a little trickier to achieve. But the trial and error can definitely pay off.
16. Use Rugs to Anchor Furniture
A properly-sized rug will anchor your room and define designated areas of an open concept space. Use a light color and patten for a more breezy look and feel, or go bold with a color depending on your style. The most important design rule when it comes to rugs is SIZE. The wrong size rug can instantly shrink your room, in the worst way. (Hint: Download my free Rug Sizing 101 Guide to get all the measurements you need for the perfect-sized rug for your space!)
17. Layer Your Lighting
Multiple light sources add depth to your small room and ensure every corner feels bright and welcoming. Combine overhead lights with soft accent lighting like lamps and task lighting for specific activities like reading or cooking too. Lighting can be key in how to make a small room look bigger.
18. Opt for Sliding Doors
Sliding doors are a game-changer for small spaces! Unlike traditional doors that swing open and require clearance, sliding options save valuable floor space and make a room feel bigger. Although this is a more invasive project for homeowners to add later on, it’s a major answer for how to make a small room feel bigger. Better functionality and better flow makes a huge difference.
19. Invest in Built-in’s
Elevate your home with built-in’s. This is a smart way to make the most of every inch in a small room. From bookshelves around a doorway to a window seat with hidden storage, these custom features add functionality while keeping the space styled and beautiful.
20. Zone Your Space
Creating distinct zones within a small room can add a bit of structure, making it seem like there’s more room than there really is. Arrange furniture strategically to define areas like a cozy reading nook, a small workspace, or an open dining room/living room combo. You can also use rugs or open shelving to subtly separate spaces without blocking the flow of light or movement around the room.
How To Make a Small Room Look Bigger: Summary
Small rooms don’t have to feel cramped or limiting. With the right home design strategies, they can feel functional, stylish, and surprisingly spacious. From maximizing natural light and vertical space to using cohesive colors and smart furniture choices, these 20 interior design tips will help you create a home that feels open and inviting, no matter its size.
- Go light and bright with colors to create an airy feel.
- Use mirrors strategically to create the illusion of depth.
- Incorporate transparent furniture to reduce visual clutter.
- Make floor-to-ceiling connections to draw your eye up.
- Use small space planning 101 to keep your space functional.
- Maximize your vertical space with open furniture.
- Repeat materials, styles, and colors for cohesiveness.
- Create a home color palette to help your small home feel connected.
- Optimize your layout to meet your goals for the space.
- Embrace multipurpose furniture to add hidden storage.
- Keep the floor clear with floating furniture.
- Embrace all the natural light with light filtering window treatments to make the room brighter.
- Add layers for depth to create visual interest without overwhelming the space.
- Add greenery to add “life” to the small room.
- Experiment with scale of decor and furniture to anchor the room.
- Use rugs to help your furniture feel connected.
- Layer your lighting to brighten up every corner.
- Opt for sliding doors to save room.
- Invest in built in’s to make the most of your square footage.
- Zone your room to add some structure and flow.
I’d love to hear from you—what are your favorite hacks for how to make a small room look bigger?
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