From dorm rooms to studio apartments, millions of rooms suffer from being too small for comfort. Thankfully, there are dozens of ways to open up the space without much work at all. These expert tips will help you take your small room to the next level.
1) White Walls
One of the first rules in making your space look bigger than it is will be painting your walls white. This opens up the space and makes the room automaticlly feel less stuffy.
2) Sheer Drapes
Hanging sheer drapes or curtains will give you better lighting and open up your space. Having thick curtains will only take away from this as they weigh your walls and windows down.
3) Raised Furniture
Having low to the ground furniture without any space underneath them can really close in a room. Exposing the legs of your couch, bed, ottomans, and more will make your floor space look much bigger.
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4) Natural Light
This one is easier said than done, but if you can pull it off, then do it! Adding extra windows (if you can afford them) is a great bet. However, if you can’t, just make sure that the furniture isn’t covering what light you do have.
5) Declutter!
I cannot stress this enough, please take out anything that you don’t love. Knick-knacks do nothing but make a room look tiny. Find somewhere to put your stuff that isn’t out in the open or get rid of it.
6) Simple Prints
If you have a zebra print rug, you’re doing it wrong. Keep your couch, rug, and lampshades simple. Using simple patterns can really flatten a room and draw the eye to the more spacious ascpects.
7) Less Furniture is More
Rather than having four chairs, two couches, and a loveseat, stick with one couch and a loveseat. That is, if you don’t need the extra seating. The point is, the fewer pieces of furniture you have, the better.
8) Add Mirrors
Got an empty wall? Add a mirror. These mirrors will reflect the light in the room and create an endless space. The best place for these are the walls opposite the windows!
9) Tall Bookcases
This one is all about preference, but if you love a good bookcase, then add one floor to ceiling. This will elongate the space! Just make sure your case isn’t too cluttered.
10) Small Lamps
One important thing to remember when picking out a small lamp is to get one that adds a lot of light. A small lamp will give you the light you need without taking up a ton of room.
11) Choose Vertical or Horizontal
It doesn’t matter which one. The only thing that matters is that you choose one or the other. Mix and matching will create chaos that will make your room seem like a tiny puzzle.
12) Furniture Away From Walls
Keeping your furniture a few inches from your walls, creates an illusion of more space. It’s an ancient trick that still works to this day, so utlize it!
13) Adjustable Furniture
Looking for that perfect table? Try one with a removable center insert. That way, you can add it in when company visits and take it out when you’re alone.
14) Open Windows
Now I don’t mean to keep your windows open all the time. Rather, make sure that your curtains are pulled to the side and not covering that beautiful light. Simple tip, big results.
15) No Heavy Pieces
This may be hard but if your favorite piece of furniture belongs in the stone age, you are on the wrong track. Keep things light and airy!
16) Leave Middle Space Empty on Walls
While furniture should be raised, wall art should be lowered. There should be three spaces in your wall: top, middle, and bottom. Keep your wall art either in the top space or the bottom space.
17) Simple Structures
Busy may seem fancy to you, but the truth is, simple structures will make your room look much nicer. The simpler your furniture and accents are, the better.
18) Clear a Pathway
This little secret is used by interior designers everywhere! If you didn’t know, you would never notice! In each room, make sure that you can walk directly to the next room/door without running into anything. Simple as that!
19) Glass, Glass, Glass
There’s nothing that opens up a room like transparency. Using glass tables, chairs, and accessories can do wonders for your space. Just remember, don’t throw rocks in your room of glass!
20) Hidden Storage
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how many people forget to utilize it. Adding hidden space is the best way to add to your open space.
21) Long Curtains
Do not get short curtains, I repeat, do not get short curtains! This will only make your room look stubby. Curtains that lengthen your windows will lengthen your room.
22) Don’t Let Curtains Touch Ground
While it is true that you should get long curtains, a common mistake is getting them too long. A rule of thumb is to not let them touch the ground. Almost touching is perfect!
23) Big Wall Art
I can’t say that the bigger the wall art, the better. But I can say that bigger wall art is superior to smaller wall art in small spaces. Having a bunch of tiny pictures will only clutter the room. Stick with a large accent piece.
24) Standing Lamps
While small lamps work well in bedrooms, more often than not, standing lamps work well in living areas. But make sure that they have thin stems and small shades or you’ll only be looking for trouble.
25) Large Furniture Can Help
Heavy furniture is a big no-no, but large furniture is a yes! It’s a touchy game to play, but in bedrooms especially, larger pieces tend to make the room feel less cluttered and more spacious.
26) Great Overhead Light
There are a few things to remember with overhead lights. First of all, it has to be bright. Second, get something that really speaks to a room. A pretty piece that isn’t too bulky. And third, nixing it all together (if you have good natural light) isn’t a bad idea.
27) Ceiling Shelves
Now this is a strange concept, but bear with me. Adding shelving to the top of the room can draw your eye upward, making the room seem much taller than it is.
28) Big Doorways
This plays off of the open concept feel, but one of the best ways to open a room up is to literally do just that. Tiny doors and doorways are one of the worst things you can do for a room. So, if you have the resources and money, get someone to widen a frame for you!
29) Open Concept
I might have mentioned this a few times but I can’t stress it enough. Open concept blueprints are the way to go. If you can’t do any construction, simply fake it till you make it. To do so, leave space between rooms and take out doors, leaving open doorways.
30) Bigger Than a Cantelope
Now it’s time to talk about accents and accessories. A great rule to follow here is to make sure that at least 90% of your accents are bigger than a cantelope. Now that’s easy enough!
31) Stripes are Your Friend
Now I wouldn’t reccomend stripes to just anyone, but if you’re a big fan, then go for it. However, try to keep them wide and few and far between. In doing so, your room is sure to be elongated!
32) Color Code
Of course you don’t want your room looking like a kindergarten class, but a little color coding never hurt anyone. Why? Because it gives the illusion of organization, which automatically gives you more space!
33) Clear Shower Curtain
Now this is a very specific tip, but we all ahve a bathroom right? When picking out a shower curtain, consider a clear option that will make your bathroom look twice as big.
34) Floating Vanity
While pedestal sinks are one of your best options in the bathroom, a floating vanity is even better! If you can get someone to install one for you, it is 100% the way to go!
35) Organize Your Chords
Whether you keep a cabinet just for chords or invest in a cheap organizer, this is one of the quickest ways to declutter a room with electronics.
36) Clean Counter Space
It may be tempting to stack stuff on your counter, but try to avoid this. The less stuff you have on your countertops, the cleaner it will look. And clean equals spacious.
37) Clean Desk
Much like a clean counterspace, a clean desk can do wonders for your room. In the office, it’s the only thing that you focus on. Invest in a cabinet for your knick-knacks and try to dust regularly.
38) Nothing That Draws Your Eye
It sounds complicated, but it’s actually super simple. Stand in your doorway and see what sticks out to you. Anything in particular? Chances are, in needs moved or thrown out.
39) Create Flow
Now at first you may think, “hey, that sounds like a job for a designer.” But what I really mean is, you want your room to not get stuffy. Try to let the air flow touch every corner of the room. A cool room will not only look, but feel bigger.
40) Dark Ceiling
Although white is the way to go 90% of the time, there is one thing that is wonderful when it is dark. The ceilings! Dark ceilings make your walls look much taller and in turn, make your room look bigger.
41) Swinging Furniture
That’s right, the early 2000s teen bedroom tip is back. While exposed legs is good, lifting the chair up even higher will give you even more space to work with. Trust me, you want to try this!
42) Transparency
Glass is great, but in some cases, it’s not an option. With kids in the house, you’ll want to go with plastic or another material that gives you that clear look without the danger.
43) Empty Spaces
Try not filling every empty space in your room. Leaving a few feet of nothing will make your room seem ginormous! Just try it for a week and you’ll see the difference.
44) Glass Panel Shower
Let’s go back to the bathroom for just a minute. If you want something more refined than a clear shower curtain, try adding glass shower panels. It looks expensive, tasteful, and spacious.
45) Big Bathroom Mirror
We’ve talked about mirrors, but have you considered the one in your bathroom? Probably pretty small right? Well, it doesn’t have to be. A big bathroom mirror will make the room look twice as big.
46) 50 Shades of Your Color
Maybe not 50, but you get my gist. Whether it’s white or green, adding different shades of the same color can add depth to the room. And we all know depth equals space!
47) Simple Bedding
When it comes to the bedroom, you want your bed to be the centerpiece of the room. But you also want that centerpiece to help with the flow and spaciousness of your room. Keep it plain and simple!
48) Plants Bring Life
Literally, plants are what keep us alive. Like I said, air conditioning will make a room feel bigger, but plants help even more. Not only do they bring the look of life, but give us a breath of fresh air as well.
49) Built-In Shelving
Bulky shelves can really bring a room down, but if you need the space, then consider built-in shelves. They expand the room by literally adding more room while giving you more space for your accents!
50) Get Creative!
Perhaps the most important tip is to be able to take what you learn and make it your own. From accent lighting to unique furniture, coming up with your own ideas is the best way to open a room up! Do what makes you happy!
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