How to Make A Room Look Much Bigger

Whether you live in a small studio apartment or just have an unusually small bedroom, you’ve probably spent a lot of time thinking of ways to make your space appear bigger.  Living in cramped quarters can be enough to make anyone go a little crazy, especially if you share a space with a roommate or significant other. Thankfully, there are tons of ways to make a small room appear much bigger, and you’d be surprised how much of a difference a little creativity can make!  

Stick to Light Colors

Dark colors can really weigh a room down and make it appear much smaller than it actually is, so make sure you’re sticking with a light, neutral color palette.  Light-colored walls, bedding, and furniture can trick the eye into thinking a room is bigger than it is, because lights colors reflect natural light and make a space look more open and airy.  A neutral-colored area rug can also make a room appear bigger, and a quick Google search for “giant area rugs cheap” can help you find a rug that fits that  color scheme. To further enhance this, make sure to let as much natural light in as possible.  Even if you only have one window in your room, stick to gauzy, light-colored curtains that let sunlight in and don’t darken the room.

Get Creative with Storage

There isn’t much room for storage in a small space, so get creative with how you utilize the little space you have.  One easy way to instantly create more space is by putting your bed on risers to make room for storage underneath.  These risers are typically inexpensive and free up a lot of space under the bed. Once your bed is lifted, you can use baskets and bins to store things you want to get out of the way, and slide them under the bed for safekeeping.  If you feel like being crafty, there are tons of creative storage ideas on sites like Pinterest that will have your room looking great in no time!

Add Mirrors

Not only do mirrors reflect light, but they also trick the eye into thinking a room is bigger than it actually is.  Having a few strategically-placed mirrors can really create the illusion that a room is more expansive than it is, and you’ll instantly notice how much more open the space seems.  Additionally, using clear or lucite furniture can make a room look less cluttered and create the illusion of a bigger space.  Furniture like lucite coffee tables, chairs, and nightstands are all great options when trying to make a room look bigger in a trendy and minimalistic way.

There are tons of ways to make a small room appear bigger, so don’t be afraid to get creative!  Whether you pull inspiration from magazines, Pinterest or your friend’s really cute apartment, you’ll always discover new ways to make the most of your space in a way that’s aesthetically pleasing.  

Photos by Daria Shevtsova & Gabriel Beaudry