Small rooms can be intimate and charming, but it can quickly become claustrophobic if you don’t make a conscious effort to arrange the room design. So going into the new year, you may be eager to declutter, an instant way to make any room look bigger and brighter. But, there’s more than one way to open a room up besides undecking the halls.
Check out these tips on how to do more with less and make a small room look bigger.
1. Light Paint Colors
Choosing a paint color that is light and cool can make any room feel larger than it actually is. Why? Light and bright walls reflect more light, making a space feel open and airy, whereas darker shades absorb more light and make a room feel more closed and cozy.
Insider tip: Paint your wall trim and moldings in a lighter color than your walls. This trick will help create an optical illusion where the walls appear farther back, making your room seem even bigger.
2. Utilize Solid Colors
Select solid-colored upholstery instead of bold plaid, prints or graphics. Too many patterns can make a room feel disorganized or even cluttered. You can create a more open atmosphere by opting for neutrals or simple colorways.
3. Choose a Focal Point
To make your room feel larger, establish a focal point — a main feature that will draw the eye’s attention when you walk into the room. For example, in the dining room, it would be the table. By creating a star of the show, you can make a space feel focused, cohesive and purposeful. Other furniture and decor should be arranged to direct focus toward the main subject.
4. Use Mirrors
Incorporating mirrors in your decor can immediately make spaces feel larger by reflecting more light in your room. Whether natural or artificial light, mirrors can make a room brighter day and night. Adding a mirror next to an existing window to reflect the outside world can be especially effective in making your room feel more open and airy.
5. Create Vertical Motion
Adding an element that emphasizes vertical motion can also increase the sense of openness in a room. From a tall shelf to vertical shiplap or ceiling to floor curtains, you can enhance the movement and flow of your home and trick the mind into thinking the room is taller and larger.
6. Open The Area
When it comes to limited-square footage, less is more. Nothing makes a small room feel more cramped than having too much furniture or accessories obscure your path.
Instead, a few key furniture pieces should be arranged so that you have clear walkways to easily move about and explore the area. Creating that intentional space can make a room feel and look more spacious.
Ready for something new this year? Get in touch with a Starlight representative and schedule an appointment with one of our Home Guides to get started.
