Over the past year or so, people have been spending a lot more time in their homes. For those with a small home or apartment, the lockdown may have made that tiny home feel suffocating. Fortunately, there are numerous tips and tricks that can open up a small space to make it look and feel bigger.
Not many people have the ability to move to a bigger home or even remodel their home to make the rooms bigger. These tips can help create a space that feels bigger to allow a more comfortable living environment and may even provide a little more room to enjoy.
Mirrors
One easy method for making a room appear bigger is by adding mirrors. Some large mirrors on the wall can help to create the illusion of more space in a room. There are many types of mirrors that can fit anyone’s taste or home décor at WestMirrors.com.
A mirror or two in a room may not seem like a way to expand a room. However, if placed properly, a mirror gives the impression that there is more to a small room than meets the eye. A mirror can also help to disperse light throughout the room. This provides an illusion of more open space.
Neutral Tones
The color scheme of a room can also makes the appearance of more space. Coordinating the colors of the furniture, décor, and walls can help everything seem to blend together. When everything blends well together, the definition of the room blurs, creating an appearance that feels bigger.
White walls and ceilings help to remove the lines and borders of the room. This will provide an appearance of a big, open cloud. Avoid contrasting colors when decorating a small room. The contrast will break up the space and make it appear smaller.
Vertical Space
A great way to maximize the space in a small room is to utilize the vertical space. Wall-mounted shelving provides a way to store items in the room without taking up more floor space. Instead of floor lamps or even table lamps, opting for wall sconces or overhead options will help as well.
Hanging curtains high above the window frame will help to make a room look taller and less cramped. Some tall shelving or other décor items that will pull the eye higher in the room will provide more movement and openness in a small area.
Lighting
Lighting is very important for a small room. If it is dark or shadowy, the room can feel much smaller and more oppressive. The more light there is, the bigger the room will feel. If the room has plenty of windows, go without curtains or at least be sure to keep them open throughout the day.
Layering the light can also help to create a larger feel to a room. If there are not a lot of windows in the room, several light sources can brighten the room, provide depth to the room, and eliminate any shadows that could make it feel smaller. Several light sources will also help to soften the light to give it a more natural feel when there is no natural light available.
Hidden Storage
One of the biggest problems with a small room is finding the space needed for everything. Many homes with small rooms have very limited storage space. This makes it hard to keep a room open and larger looking. Fortunately, there are furniture options available to help with this problem.
Storage containers that fit neatly under a bed are a great option. There are end tables and coffee tables available that double as storage containers. There are even couches that have hidden storage areas inside them. By finding a neat place to keep things, the clutter is minimized and the room appears more spacious.
Keep It Simple
Trying to stuff a room with every furniture piece possible will create a cluttered feel to the room. Clutter will make the space feel more cramped. It is important to keep things simple. Only use the furniture needed. Eliminate what is not necessary to keep the room looking neat and tidy. This will make the room feel larger than it is.
Not only should the furniture be kept to a minimum, but so should the décor. A room covered with pictures and artwork, pillows, rugs, and busy drapes will also add to the cluttered look. The barer wall that is showing, the larger the room will appear. If the décor is too busy or is too plentiful, it can diminish the flowing and breezy look needed to keep the space feeling more open.
For some small rooms, eliminating everything that is unneeded will help to create more openness. Opting for blinds instead of drapes or eliminating throw rugs will help keep the room feeling less cluttered and simple.
Save Floor Space
There should always be a clear path to allow easy walking through the room. Keeping the floor as open as possible helps to minimize the cramped feeling of the area. If a person has to walk around furniture or other items to get from one end of the room to another, it makes the room feel cluttered and cramped.
Open floor space will help make the room appear and feel larger than it is. Instead of centering the couch and tables in the living room, put them against a wall to leave part of the room empty. Even in other rooms of the home, grouping the furniture to one end of the room while leaving a space open will provide a larger feel.
Furniture Illusions
Another option is to buy furniture that makes the room feel lighter and more open. One option is to get furniture that shows some legs. Furniture that sits on the floor appears bulky and can make the room feel heavier and more cluttered. Beds, nightstands, and other furniture that shows off their legs will help eliminate this problem.
Clear furniture is also a great option for opening up a room. Glass or acrylic furniture pieces will provide the functionality needed while creating an optical illusion. The clear or shiny material will help to reflect light and give the appearance that they are taking up less space in the room.
By using some or all these tips, that small room will feel much bigger in no time. This will make it easier to spend time at home without feeling so trapped. Larger living spaces will also help improve the mood and make the home much more comfortable.
