What Make a Room Look and Feel Bigger? 10 Easy to Follow Tips

Many people live in a smaller space some time during their life.  We all know this can be tricky.  When I first got married I lived in a 350 square foot log cabin and discovered that decorating a space like that proved more challenging than I thought.  So today I want to share 10 tips I learned to expanding your small space.

1. Use lighter colors, neutrals, or cool colors when painting a room.  Lighter and Neutral colors will provide a background for furniture that will brighten up a space and open it up.  Using cool colors will make the walls recede.  

2. Utilize natural light!  The light from outside has a way of breathing life into a space and making it brighter.  A brighter room will feel larger and more inviting. 

3. If you have a nice view from a window, bring those colors in to your room. It unifies the outside and inside creating the illusion of a larger space.

4. Use mirrors.  Small or large, the space reflected will enlarge the space.

5. When using draperies color coordinate them with the walls - have them be close to the same color. it helps avoid contrast in the room. 

6. Use furniture that has open legs.  This creates a sense of light and space. 

7. Unclutter your space.  Keep what is necessary and remove the rest.  Clutter closes in a space.  Excess furniture should be removed.  Organize shelves.  A clean space makes it appear like there is more space.   

8. Resist the need to fill up every space - negative space can make a room feel larger.  If you have open shelves leave some empty spaces. 

9. Simple is better - clean lines make a space open up.  Unnecessary ruffles and frills will make a space feel smaller.  Use smaller prints and stick to a color scheme.  

10. As a general rule: smaller furniture will make a small room look larger, but a few larger pieces will create a focus.  Obviously smaller furniture pieces will fit in a smaller space more comfortably.  However, if you us too many small pieces it can make a room feel thrown together instead of designed.  A few larger pieces can tie a room together.  

Use these tips and put together your spacious small space.  Send me a picture of your small space!  I'd love to see it.  Or post it on your instagram with #successfulsmallspace  and tag  lindsaystokerinteriors.