How to make a small room look bigger

How do you make a small room look bigger? If you’re living in a small apartment or condo unit, here are some design tips from the pros. These tips can make even the tiniest room look airy and open, combining beauty and function, and creating a space that you can be truly proud of. And, if your budget isn’t much bigger than your room, you’ll see that these tips are remarkably cheap to execute.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Mirrors can make a small room look much bigger, because they reflect the light and add depth and sense of space to an otherwise bare ceiling. But what mirror tricks really work? First of all, use a large mirror. Some people will actually have one that runs from floor to ceiling, but if that’s impractical, get a big one in a beautiful frame (which adds a design accent) and position over a table or a mantle. The perfect spot for a mirror is across the window, where it will catch the sunlight and reflect the outside view. Avoid small mirrors, which only add to the feeling of clutter.

Choose minimalist furniture

Many people buy small furniture for a small room—but if you have too many furniture, that only adds to the clutter! So instead of three small chairs, get one big sofa. Or, instead of several bookshelves and tabletops, consider one large shelving in one side of the room. If you pick one with excellent design, it can even act as the focal point, or major design element, of the room.

Pick slipper chairs

Slipper chairs (or sofas) don’t have any arms. This adds to the sense of space. Of course, this is a matter of taste: if you really love resting your head on the arm of the sofa while you watch TV or read a book, then skip this tip. Or, look for a sofa with a low-lying armrest, or a thinner armrest.

Get blinds and shutters

You know how style experts say that the best way to accentuate a curvy figure is to choose a tailored dress? Large, oversized clothes only make you look fatter. The same thing goes for your windows. Billowing curtains will add more bulk to a room. Choose trim and slim window fixtures like shades, blinds or shutters.

Lighten up

Light colors help make a room look more airy and spacious. So avoid heavy colors on your walls and furniture. You should also stick to a monochromatic color scheme. For example, if you use yellow on the walls, choose paint trim in a slightly lighter shade rather than a contrasting color like brown. Paint is one of the best and cheapest ways to decorate a small bedroom, when the bed takes up most of the space.

Photo from apartmenttherapy.com