Everyone has things that they do and do not like about their homes. A common issue people have is that the rooms feel small and cramped. It’s a problem people want to solve to make their living experience better or to improve their chances of selling their property. To do so, they must make their rooms look more spacious.
Typical solutions include adding extensions and knocking down walls to create open-plan spaces. However, there are some simple interior design hacks to improve your living space and make rooms look bigger.
Decorate in Neutral Colors
Whether decorating with wallpaper or paint, you should choose neutral, lighter colors to make the most of space and light in a room. Examples include white, shades of cream, pale greys, and icy blues. Using these colors is one of the simplest solutions to the challenge of making rooms look bigger. In contrast, dark colors close up the space and absorb light.
Choose Appropriately Sized Furniture
Choosing oversized furniture is one of the fastest ways to reduce the space in a room. Therefore, larger furniture is something to avoid if you need to make a room look spacious. Choose the appropriate furniture for the room, and avoid large, clunky items.
Opt for Raised Furniture
Another tip for choosing furniture is to buy items that are raised and do not meet the floor. For example, opt for a settee or bed with legs. Doing so exposes the floor, which gives the impression of space.
Add Mirrors to Maximize Light
People often wonder how to make rooms look bigger on a budget without putting in much work. A simple interior design hack is to add mirrors to any room you want to look bigger. It will reflect natural light around the room.
Avoid Heavy Window Dressings
Your choice of window dressing is essential. It makes the difference between maximizing the light or completely blocking natural light. If a room looks dark, it instantly appears small and dingy. Blinds are one option if you want to flood the room with light. They do not block light from the edges of the window like curtains. If you prefer curtains, choose lighter, thinner fabrics with linings to block out the light when closed. A pelmet will block out sunlight, so grommet or goblet curtains are the better options.
Plan the Space Carefully
How you arrange the furniture in a room dramatically impacts the space available. The difference it can make in moving the furniture to a different position is unbelievable. Experiment with the positioning of your furniture to find a layout that appears most spacious.
Declutter the Room
A lot of clutter in your home instantly creates the impression of a smaller space. One of the simplest tips to make a room look bigger is to declutter. Get rid of clutter you don’t need and tidy other items out of sight in cupboards.
Choose Light Flooring
The floors in a room are just as important as the walls. As a rule, the lighter the flooring, the more spacious a room will feel. If you choose wooden or laminate flooring, go for an unstained, lighter wood or wood-effect material, such as pine or oak. Likewise, pale grey or beige carpets are ideal for making rooms look larger.
Think Carefully About the Lighting
While maximizing natural light is essential, using artificial light is also important. Add lamps around the room that add extra splashes of light into corners and recesses. It will give an optical illusion of space.
Choose the Right Pattern
People often mistakenly believe you must avoid patterns to make a room look bigger. However, that is not the case; some designs can make a room appear spacious. Broad horizontal stripes on one wall will draw your eye down the space and make it seem longer. Similarly, a striped carpet or rug will have the same effect. Neutral patterns with small prints can also work well but avoid big, bold designs.
Many wonder how to make rooms look bigger without spending a fortune on extensions or knocking down walls. It’s surprisingly simple if you use some nifty hacks interior designers use all the time. Thinking about the lighting and furniture will make a big difference. Similarly, choosing the right décor, planning the room carefully, and getting rid of clutter will create the impression of more space.