Size Is Everything

Effective methods for making the rooms in your home look and feel bigger.

Creating the illusion of size in a room that may not have much is all about styling an environment that’s open, clutter-free, and that feels bright and airy. Here are some tips on how to achieve the thing most of us yearn most when it comes to a home – space.

Use lighter colours

Using lighter colours on walls and other surfaces can help to make a room look bigger as they work well in reflecting more light, creating a sense of openness and airiness. In contrast, darker colours absorb light and can make a room feel smaller and more enclosed.

Create visual interest

Keep in mind that while using light colours can give the feeling of increased space, they can also make a room feel bland or sterile. To counter this, create a focal point in the room – perhaps a visual interest, such as a piece of artwork or a bold-coloured accent wall. This can draw the eye away from the size of the room.

Use mirrors

A large mirror can reflect the entire room and make it feel more spacious. Place it on a wall opposite a window or a door to reflect natural light and create an illusion of depth. You could accentuate this further by using mirrored furniture such as a coffee table or a mirrored chest of drawers, positioning these in areas that reflect light, such as near lamps or candles.

Reduce clutter

A cluttered room can make a space feel cramped and small, so get rid of anything you don't need and try to keep surfaces clear. Consider donating, selling, or discarding items you no longer use.

Use storage solutions such as baskets, bins and shelves to organise and store items that you do need. This will help keep items off the floor and surfaces, making the room look more spacious.

Choose furniture wisely

Furniture with a smaller footprint, such as a narrow console table or a slim sofa, can push a sensation of the space being expansive, while oversized furniture will make a room feel small and crowded.

Hang curtains high

When you hang curtains close to the ceiling, it draws the eye upwards, creating the illusion of height and space.

To do this, install the curtain rod several inches above the top of the window frame, ideally as close to the ceiling as possible, using lightweight, sheer fabrics that allow plenty of natural light to filter through.