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.

Reaching Creativity In Your Home and Life

When it comes creating spaces in your home that you can be proud of, you need to remember a very important thing: be creative!  I came across an article by Shawn Doyle about six keys to get and stay creative.  These struck me as true, so I thought they would be great to share.  

1. Know that you ARE Creative

So often people forget that creativity is in each one of us.  We just need to find it.  We had it when we were children, so why can't we have it now?  We just need to "wake it up." 

2. Expose Yourself to Creative Things Around You

 Think about what gets you to feel creative.  If you don't have anything, find something and work on it.  Do these things as often as you can.   Take a moment to see the beauty all around you.  The simple things may spark creativity where you did not expect it.

3. Study Creativity

This doesn't mean you have to read boring books or self help things.  You can if you want to.  However, to study creativity it could be as simple as reading an inspirational book about a person like Leonardo da Vinci.  When we look at lives of other creative people, we can find ideas for you.

4. Try for Multiple Answers

Part of creativity is knowing there is always more than one right answer.  Look at problems or situations or interiors from different perspectives.  Sometimes it is good to push past the first easy answer and see what else comes out of it.  You can always go back to the first answer if you'd like later.  

5. Live your Life More Creatively

If you feel like you are stuck in a rut, change it!  Your life does not have to be boring.  Try new things, do what you love, go to a theme park, visit a museum.  You could come home a different way, take a walk, or eat outside.  Try something you have never ever done.  These things help awaken your creativity. 

6. Learn a New Technique

Instead of trying to be creative in the normal way you have always tried, if you have one, try a different way.  When you take a different approach more ideas may flow.  You may find the process becomes more fun for you. 


Give these tips a try!  See what comes out of everyday life and ideas you have been having.  And feel free to share any results.  Remember, sometimes the only step missing in creating a space you love is creativity.  So get your juices flowing and see what happens!


L I N D S A Y    S T O K E R
Interior Design