5 Space-Saving Hacks to Make Your Room Feel Bigger
Ever wished you had a little more space in your home? While there’s no secret tip to add square footage to your house (short of hiring a contractor, of course), there are definitely some tried-and-true ways to increase the appearance of space. Today we’ve got 5 hacks that will make even the smallest of rooms feel more open and inviting!
1. Stop and Reflect
No, we don’t mean meditation. We’re talking about mirrors! Mirrors give the illusion of space and help a small area feel more expansive—especially when placed the right way. For example, angle your mirrors toward your focal point to draw the eye and give the feeling of depth.
You can also add a beautiful floor length mirror (we’re partial to the Ettore Sottsass Mirror) to open up the eyeline even more. The bigger the mirror, the more depth it will create. But if that doesn’t suit, don’t fret—larger frames can also create a similar illusion.
2. Go Light and Bright
When you’re trying to open up your space, it’s important to steer clear of too many dark colors. Why? While they may be trendy, those moody blues and deep greens can quickly make a room feel tight and enclosed. Dark colors absorb light—the opposite of what you need when you’re working to make your room feel bigger. At the same time, bright, neutral colors reflect light and encourage a sense of openness within a space.
For your color scheme, consider a palette that remains in the same family. Continuing a color (or a similar neutral) into the ceiling will draw the gaze upward, creating a continuous flow that adds dimension to any space that’s feeling a little closed in.
3. Remove Clutter
A few plush pillows and chic decorations can make a room feel cozy… but include too many, and the room might begin to feel like a cave. You can avoid this, though, with a bit of pruning (and a lot of storage). There’s truth in the question, “Does this item bring me joy?” If it doesn’t, it might be time to find it a new home. And if it does (but it’s still overpowering your space), try storing it for a while, and only bringing it out on rotation. After all, there’s no harm in changing up your decor every once in a while.
4. Choose Your Furniture Wisely
Using large, bulky pieces of furniture may be one of the quickest routes to overwhelming a small area. Proportions are everything when space is short, so try to keep away from anything that sits low to the ground or eats up your walking room (as that can quickly make things feel claustrophobic). In that same vein, placing a bed or couch inside the flow of your design—rather than having it hug against a wall—can increase the perceived area in the room.
Delicate pieces with exposed legs can work wonders in opening up your space. (With their sophisticated yet airy designs, the Womb Chair and the Flag Halyard are great options.) Anywhere you can allow light to flow and keep the view from getting blocked with a bulky barrier, your room will come out feeling that much larger.
5. Make Use of Your Light
Natural light can be used to good purpose when it comes to making your room larger—even if you don’t have as much light as you’d like. Of course, if light is in really short supply, step one may be to get rid of anything blocking your window (you didn’t really like those old blinds anyway, right?), and then opt for sheer curtains that allow the light to flow. After that, try placing a mirror across from your window to give even more illusion of depth. (We mentioned before mirrors are perfect for this!)
Once night falls, opt for placing different light sources around the room, rather than relying on one overhead lamp. This keeps the light from feeling too overbearing, while the multiple lamps create a warm glow that softens the room’s edges and gives it a feeling of increased space.
Our Number One Hack: Get Creative
From small bedrooms to tiny kitchens to way-too-cramped living rooms, a little creativity can be your best weapon against any design problem. Employ a few of these hacks (plus your own amazing design eye), and you can bring depth and openness to even the smallest of spaces.
After all, your home is about you. So take these tips, add your own flair, and just watch how great it turns out!
P.S. Want some more tips and tricks? We’re always updating our blog with design inspo to get your creative juices flowing.
