How to Make a Room Appear Bigger

A Small Space Can Be Decorated to Make it Look Bigger

A small space can become very cramped, very fast. It is a challenge to keep everything in order and organized and look great at the same time, but it can be done. With a little creativity you can make your small room appear bigger than it is.

Things You'll Need

• Desire to downsize, simplify and organize
• Creativity

Instructions

1. 

   The first step to make a room appear bigger than it is, is to declutter it. Take anything that you do not use on a regular basis out of the room and store it somewhere, or donate it. If you don't love it, pitch it!

2. 

   Now that you have decluttered, you may need extra storage pieces. Try furniture that functions as storage, like a bench or ottoman that opens up for extra storage. Make sure to make good use of the space underneath your furniture, too. This is great place to store out of season clothes, or seasonal decor.

3. 

   It's time to decorate and accent. Choose smaller pieces of furniture and don't cram the room full of furniture. Choose sofas and chairs with no arms, because they help a room look more spacious.

4. 

   Horizontal stripes make a room appear longer. You can achieve this look with paint or wallpaper. (Make sure to read my article, "How to NOT Paint Stripes on Your Wall, listed under 'Related Articles.')

5. 

   When choosing curtains, match them to the wall color, to make the room appear bigger. Also, hang the curtains taller and wider than the windows actually are --- this makes a BIG difference! It also lets more light into the room, when you open the curtains up, which is important in a small room.

6. 

   Keep decor and wall art simple. Less is best in a small room. Group similar items or colors together. Just have one big decorative item on a table, rather than several small items. For walls, try a mirror to reflect light and trick the eye into making the room look twice as large!

7. 

   And finally, lighting is so important for a small room. Make sure to take advantage of any natural light, by keeping window treatments open in the daytime. At night, light the room in each corner. Use different types of lighting, as well: lamps, shadow lights, sconces, track lighting. If you have a bookcase in the room, make sure that it is lit up at night, too.

   With a little organizing and creativity, you can make any room appear bigger and beautiful, too.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep Decor Simple, you don't need to fill up every wall with pictures or artwork

• Get organized and stay organized

• Choose armless furniture

• Choose furniture that also functions as storage

• Horizontal stripes and mirrors make a room look bigger

• Lighting in a small room is very important

Resources

• How to Decorate on a Budget
• How to Decorate with Chalkboard Paint
• Bella Casa - Decorating on a Budget (Darnit!)