8 Ways To Make A Small Space Feel Bigger

Smaller is sometimes better when it comes to the space of your home. Lacking square footage can seem less than ideal, but a small area has plenty of benefits. For one, it's easier to decorate, has less cleaning, has a more affordable price tag, and reduces running costs! Fortunately, there are simple yet effective tricks for creating the illusion that the proportions of a room are more significant than they really are.

Keep It Simple

Plants, knickknacks, decor - the options are endless when wanting to add personality to your space. However, reducing visual barriers and focal points can make a room more streamlined and balanced, making you feel mentally decluttered. Aim to decorate with restraint, as hard as it can be!

Go for a Neutral Colour Palette

Light and neutral colours within a space will allow natural light to bounce off different surfaces, making the area feel larger than it really is. In comparison, darker colours make a space feel relatively small and intimate. Opting for warm natural tones will create an open and airy space, influencing a larger feel. 

Let The Light In

Letting light fill a space will provide an immense open feeling, whether natural or artificial. Get rid of heavy drapes and opt for light and sheer materials, like linen curtains, allowing natural light to pool into a room. This change will provide warmth and a comfortable, homely feeling while also being better energy efficiency. Alternatively, if you're lacking windows, add recessed lighting with warm white lighting to the underside of cabinets or behind a tv to brighten up a space.

Form Follows Function

Small spaces can be easy to live in; however, the lack of storage and needing somewhere to store your belongings out of sight can prove challenging. This comes down to being intentional with your furniture and storage choices. Choose pieces that optimize space and maximize storage while giving each of your belongings a designated home. Reducing visual clutter is vital to assembling a small area that's both livable and functional. 

COCO REPUBLIC - Westwood Bench with Storage

Scale Things Down

In a confined space, it's about thinking smaller to look bigger! By scaling down your furniture, such as your sofa, desk, or coffee table, you deceive the eye into assuming there is more space. Opt for a round dining table, armless occasional chairs, or apartment-sized sofas that both physically and visually allow the eye to travel throughout the room.

COCO REPUBLIC ESSENTIALS - Atelier Sofa

Think Vertically

Remember to think vertically and maximize airspace! Draw the eye upwards to ensure the eye travels through the space. Installing a feature pendant or adding detail to your ceilings, like paint or wallpaper, can make the room feel elongated. Use features to draw the viewer's eye up into a room, and in turn, this will highlight the vertical space making the room feel bigger.

Studio Reno - Orewa Townhouse

Glass and Transparent Materials 

Using materials you can see through - such as glass or clear acrylic - can create a light space. These pieces appear transparent within a room, allowing light to travel through them rather than blocking it and creating harsh, dark shadows.

Studio Reno - The Island Bay Bathroom

Studio Reno - The Island Bay Bathroom

Expand with Mirrors

Mirrors are a cost-effective solution to make a small room feel larger. Mirrors allow light to bounce throughout a room, giving the illusion of expansion. By strategically positioning a mirror to reflect outside a room, such as a hallway or a window, you can achieve the effect of adding space. Expanding with mirrors could also include mirrored furniture, such as a mirrored desk or bedside table, to reflect the area in a room.