Interior Design Tricks to Make Small Rooms Look Bigger
1. Keep the flooring style continuous.
Small spaces appear larger when there's no break in the flooring style. This means that rather than having tile in the entryway and hardwood in an adjoining room, for example, it may be best to opt for all hardwood, tile, or carpet.
If you do use different flooring types, choosing materials that are similar in color can help produce the same type of result.
2. Decorate with light colors in similar shades.
Many interior decor experts say light colors tend to make rooms feel larger. A common piece of advice is to use a light overall color scheme, with coordinating colors that don't contrast too strongly.
This also applies to curtains and window treatments, which can be in the same color scheme as the walls or made of sheer material.
3. Use larger floor tiles.
Many people assume that a small space requires a small floor pattern, but in fact, the opposite is true. Large tiles or wide planks often make a small room look bigger, not smaller.
4. Go for furniture that "shows some leg."
Rooms look bigger when you can see more floor space. This is why furniture with exposed legs or a main furniture piece that is nicely elevated above the floor can really open up a room.
5. Choose clear tabletops.
For a small dining room or breakfast nook, consider using a table that has a clear or frosted glass top in order to not create a complete visual block. Another way to make smaller areas like this feel as large as possible is to choose armless chairs.
6. Don't push furniture up against the wall.
Furniture placed directly next to the wall can make a small area feel "stuffed." Allow for some space between the furniture and the wall, or place pieces at an angle to the wall in order to make the room appear larger.
7. Draw attention to the ceiling.
"Draw the eye upward" is the advice interior design experts often give when it comes to decorating small rooms. A good way to do this is to paint the ceiling a lighter color than the walls, so that a subtle variation in shade causes the ceiling to stand out slightly.
Adding lighting that accentuates the ceiling achieves the same result, as you can see in the photo above.
(Notice also the large tiles and the floating vanity that shows the floor.)
8: Remember the "Cantaloupe Rule."
The "Cantaloupe Rule" states that if too many decor items are smaller than a cantaloupe, they can quickly make a small room look cluttered.
That being said, it's also worth noting that nearly every style rule can stand to be broken once in a while. :) In the end, if something looks good and feels good, it probably
is good.
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