How to Make a Small Room Appear Larger: 20 Simple Tips

Tip #1: Choose Curtains Wisely

When selecting curtains, ensure they match the wall color. This color coordination helps make the space appear more spacious. Additionally, curtains should not be too dense or heavy. It's best to combine roller blinds with lightweight cotton voile or curtains.

Tip #2: Maximize Natural Light

Avoid using window sills as bookshelves and refrain from placing flowers on them. Windows should always be clean: even the smallest room filled with light appears cozy and airy.

Tip #3: Furniture on Legs - Must-Have

Sofas, beds, coffee tables, dressers, and wardrobes should all float above the floor rather than merging into it.

Tip #4: Keep Your Home Organized

Design storage solutions and always put shoes and clothes back in place. Avoid an abundance of sofa cushions and accessories to prevent clutter.

Tip #5: Neutral Colors - The Foundation

Pastel light walls are your choice. Choose warm, light colors for the overall look — walls, ceiling, floor, and large furniture.

Tip #6: Use Custom Fabric

Don’t overlook custom textiles or make your own cushion covers, curtains, and tablecloths. A unified style and color in home textiles help visually expand the space.

Tip #7: Multi-Functional Furniture

Choose multi-functional furniture: a sofa-bed, fold-out dining table, a wardrobe that hides a bed, or wheels on chairs — small rooms shouldn't feel static.

Tip #8: Use Mirrors

Mirrors placed opposite windows visually expand the space. Make closet doors or mirrors of doors to make the room look significantly larger.

Tip #9: Balance in Furniture Placement

A few large pieces of furniture can visually increase the space. For example, a wide corner sofa may occupy half the room, but if all other furniture is smaller in size, the contrast makes the room look bigger.

Tip #10: Use Ceiling Height

A very simple and functional tip — bookshelves or wardrobes from floor to ceiling. They look enormous, but they also make the room appear larger and taller.

Tip #11: Expand the Window Opening with Curtains

Hang a wide rod as close to the ceiling as possible: curtains that reach to the floor look elegant and visually widen and heighten the window.

Tip #12: Neat Shelves

Leave open space on shelves — this gives a sense of harmony and makes the room feel more spacious. Place heavy books on lower shelves, and arrange photos, cute treasures, or candles at eye level.

Tip #13: Don't Arrange Furniture Along the Walls

This looks outdated and, contrary to popular belief, does not visually expand the room. Don’t be afraid to place tables or sofas across or even in the center of the room. Create a cozy functional space rather than a dance floor. Then you’ll stop noticing the tightness and just enjoy spending time at home.

Tip #14: Accent Walls

Highlighting one or more walls with a more saturated color creates the volume that small rooms lack. You can also use patterned wallpaper or decorative stucco.

Tip #15: Bright Ceiling

According to one of the most common myths about small rooms, the ceiling should always be white. This is not true. Paint the ceiling in a darker and more vibrant color, and you’ll be surprised how much more spacious it looks.

Tip #16: Striped Floor

This bold yet very effective solution creates a sense of an infinitely long or wide room.

Tip #17: Transparent Furniture

Glass tables and chairs made of transparent polymers are perfect for small rooms. Even large furniture items look weightless and visually don’t clutter the already small space.

Tip #18: More Light Sources

Lighting should be varied. Spotlights on artwork, a lamp over the table, or wall sconces — these are great solutions for small rooms. It’s better if the light is directed upwards, as this makes the ceiling appear visually higher.

Tip #19: Best Decor - Artworks

If the room is small, it doesn’t mean art pieces don’t belong there. On the contrary, a large-format painting in an elegant frame makes the room appear more spacious.

Tip #20: Tall Doors

A tall door frame visually raises the ceiling and looks stylish and elegant.