Tips for Small Rooms
As our population grows, housing is becoming smaller and smaller. Here are some tips to creating the feeling of more space.
1. USE LIGHT PAINT COLOURS
1. USE LIGHT PAINT COLOURS
Light paint colours make a room feel lighter and brighter. Psychologically spaces with more light appear to have more space. Focus on using whites, off-whites or muted tones of your favourite colour for painting your walls.
Photo credit: benjaminmoore, ashleylaurensnyder, melissaclickphotography
2. USE A MONOCHROMATIC COLOUR SCHEME
Monochro-whaaattt? A monochromatic colour scheme is one that uses one colour only. However, it allows tints and shades of that colour to be integrated into the design for more interest. Using this method provides variety without too much contrast. Avoiding contrast is ideal when trying to make a small room look bigger because contrast defines space and therefore, will create the illusion of less space.
Photo Credit: Lady Premium Print & Colors
3. AVOID BOLD PATTERNS
Bold patterns and colours create visual clutter by creating more contrast. If you absolutely must include a bold colour or pattern in your design, do it with something small rather than in something that takes up a lot of space such as a rug as seen below or a wallpaper, etc. Instead, use a bold patterned throw pillow or a bold coloured picture frame to satisfy your desires.
Photo Credit: Anthropologie
4. ANALYZE WHAT YOU WANT IN A WINDOW COVERING
If you can get away with it and you’re comfortable with it, leave your windows bare. This will let the most light into your space. However, this may not be ideal if you value privacy. If that’s the case, opt for minimalist type window coverings such as roller shades, blinds or shutters. If you’re a fan of drapes, then choose a colour that is the same as, or as close as possible to your wall colour so that they don’t create contrast on such a large surface area. Whenever possible you should apply this principle to your shades, blinds and shutters as well or opt for white.
5. USE LIGHTWEIGHT FABRICS
While we’re on the topic of windows, cotton and linen are great options for window coverings because they diffuse light, but don’t block it. Heavy or dark coloured fabrics absorb light, making your room feel darker. Remember, it’s best to keep the space as light and bright as possible to make a small room look bigger.
While we’re on the topic of windows, cotton and linen are great options for window coverings because they diffuse light, but don’t block it. Heavy or dark coloured fabrics absorb light, making your room feel darker. Remember, it’s best to keep the space as light and bright as possible to make a small room look bigger.
6. INCORPORATE MIRRORS
Mirrors are great for a couple of reasons. First, they trick the eye and give the impression of more space by mirroring imagery back at us. A carefully placed mirror can make a hallway feel longer, make it seem that there is more seating or make it look like there are additional windows in a space. Mirrors also reflect light, and as I already mentioned, more light translates into more space.
Mirrors are great for a couple of reasons. First, they trick the eye and give the impression of more space by mirroring imagery back at us. A carefully placed mirror can make a hallway feel longer, make it seem that there is more seating or make it look like there are additional windows in a space. Mirrors also reflect light, and as I already mentioned, more light translates into more space.
7. CHOOSE SMALL SCALE FURNITURE
These days there are a lot more options for apartment/condo sized furniture. Use them! Even if you live in a small house rather than an apartment, chances are that these smaller furniture pieces will work better to make your small room look bigger by taking up less space and leaving more room to roam.
These days there are a lot more options for apartment/condo sized furniture. Use them! Even if you live in a small house rather than an apartment, chances are that these smaller furniture pieces will work better to make your small room look bigger by taking up less space and leaving more room to roam.
Photo Credit: Wayfair
8. LOVE LONG LEGS
Choose furniture with exposed legs, rather than furniture that sits right on the floor. Sofas and chairs with longer legs reveal the space that’s beneath them. While there isn’t actually any more physical space, this trick fools the mind into thinking that there is.
Choose furniture with exposed legs, rather than furniture that sits right on the floor. Sofas and chairs with longer legs reveal the space that’s beneath them. While there isn’t actually any more physical space, this trick fools the mind into thinking that there is.
Photo Credit: West Elm
9. INTEGRATE REFLECTIVE FURNITURE
Use glass table tops, Lucite chairs, desks, consoles, etc. to expose the area beneath them. You get the function of the furniture added with the illusion of more space – a double win! And, as a bonus, glass and Lucite are reflective so they also help to transmit light around the room. Mirrored furniture will provide the same effect. Consider mirrored dressers, side tables or console tables to make a small room look bigger.
Use glass table tops, Lucite chairs, desks, consoles, etc. to expose the area beneath them. You get the function of the furniture added with the illusion of more space – a double win! And, as a bonus, glass and Lucite are reflective so they also help to transmit light around the room. Mirrored furniture will provide the same effect. Consider mirrored dressers, side tables or console tables to make a small room look bigger.
Photo Credit: CB2
10. USE MULTIPURPOSE & FOLDAWAY FURNITURE
Pretty obvious here, but the fewer pieces of furniture you use in your design, the more space you will appear to have. You don’t need to sacrifice function though. Try using an ottoman with reversible tray to use for seating or side tables. Use a roll-away island in the kitchen or dinette. And there’s always the classic futon if you’re living in super tight quarters and need your sofa to double as a bed.
Pretty obvious here, but the fewer pieces of furniture you use in your design, the more space you will appear to have. You don’t need to sacrifice function though. Try using an ottoman with reversible tray to use for seating or side tables. Use a roll-away island in the kitchen or dinette. And there’s always the classic futon if you’re living in super tight quarters and need your sofa to double as a bed.
Photo Credit: Wayfair
11. EXTEND & COLLAPSE
Instead of buying a table for six, get a smaller one that is extendable. Keep it small on a regular basis and extend it only when company comes over. If your space is really tiny, consider stow-away TV trays instead.
Instead of buying a table for six, get a smaller one that is extendable. Keep it small on a regular basis and extend it only when company comes over. If your space is really tiny, consider stow-away TV trays instead.
Photo Credit: Ikea
12. THINK BIG
When thinking about what furniture will make your small room look bigger, consider one large piece instead of two or three smaller pieces. Even though the large piece will take up a fair bit of space, it will still take up less space than two or three pieces of furniture. Sectional sofas are a great example of how you can maximize seating capacity in a small amount of space.
When thinking about what furniture will make your small room look bigger, consider one large piece instead of two or three smaller pieces. Even though the large piece will take up a fair bit of space, it will still take up less space than two or three pieces of furniture. Sectional sofas are a great example of how you can maximize seating capacity in a small amount of space.
Photo Credit: CB2
13. KEEP A LOW PROFILE
Pick low profile furniture for your room. Furniture with low backs or low height will make your walls appear taller and thus, your room feel larger.
Pick low profile furniture for your room. Furniture with low backs or low height will make your walls appear taller and thus, your room feel larger.
14. LEARN TO FLOAT
In a really tight space, floating furniture is your best friend. It takes up far less room and because of its minimalist style; it takes up very little space visually. Try incorporating floating shelves, media consoles and desks into your small room design.
In a really tight space, floating furniture is your best friend. It takes up far less room and because of its minimalist style; it takes up very little space visually. Try incorporating floating shelves, media consoles and desks into your small room design.
Photo Credit: Wayfair
15. DECLUTTER, DECLUTTER, DECLUTTER!
There’s nothing that makes a room feel small more than clutter. Take a minimalist approach and get rid of anything you haven’t used in the last two years. If you can’t part with it, stash it away somewhere hidden, which gives me a perfect segue into my next tip…
16. USE HIDDEN STORAGE
Take advantage of hidden storage to store books, blankets, toys, etc. The fewer items displayed the better. It’s so important to keep a small space tidy so that it doesn’t feel cramped. Ottomans, coffee tables, storage beds and bookcases with doors are great options.
17. GO HIGH
Another great way to fake space is to force the eye to move. When hanging bookshelves; opt to hang them close to the ceiling rather than at eye height. Your eye will automatically be drawn upward making the room feel taller and as if it has more space. You can achieve the same effect using floor to ceiling cabinet-type bookshelves as well.
There’s nothing that makes a room feel small more than clutter. Take a minimalist approach and get rid of anything you haven’t used in the last two years. If you can’t part with it, stash it away somewhere hidden, which gives me a perfect segue into my next tip…
16. USE HIDDEN STORAGE
Take advantage of hidden storage to store books, blankets, toys, etc. The fewer items displayed the better. It’s so important to keep a small space tidy so that it doesn’t feel cramped. Ottomans, coffee tables, storage beds and bookcases with doors are great options.
17. GO HIGH
Another great way to fake space is to force the eye to move. When hanging bookshelves; opt to hang them close to the ceiling rather than at eye height. Your eye will automatically be drawn upward making the room feel taller and as if it has more space. You can achieve the same effect using floor to ceiling cabinet-type bookshelves as well.
18. CLEAR A PATH
This may seem obvious, but make sure there is a clear path to walk through your space. You want a minimum pathway of 30” for people to pass through. Make sure furnishings and décor don’t obstruct the path for two reasons; 1) it will make the space feel cluttered and 2) the clear path will extend the space.
19. DITCH THE DOORS
If your small space has a door in it that could be deemed unnecessary; ditch it! Leave a doorway instead. This will make the space feel more open and also help the eye travel outside of the room, thus making it feel that the space is larger.
Article Credit:
Val Malnar
Virtual Interior Designer
Orangetree Interiors
This may seem obvious, but make sure there is a clear path to walk through your space. You want a minimum pathway of 30” for people to pass through. Make sure furnishings and décor don’t obstruct the path for two reasons; 1) it will make the space feel cluttered and 2) the clear path will extend the space.
19. DITCH THE DOORS
If your small space has a door in it that could be deemed unnecessary; ditch it! Leave a doorway instead. This will make the space feel more open and also help the eye travel outside of the room, thus making it feel that the space is larger.
Article Credit:
Val Malnar
Virtual Interior Designer
Orangetree Interiors
Title Photo Credit: Max Vakhtbovycn
