Tips and Tricks to Make Small Spaces Look Bigger

Small homes are easier to maintain and better for the environment than large ones. However, living in a small space can sometimes make you feel cramped. Fortunately with the right design tricks, a small house or apartment can be made to look and feel much more spacious. 

From the right window installation to the perfect color scheme in your home, there are many things you can do to make your living space feel larger than it really is. Here are some tips:

Longer Window Treatments

Low ceilings can make small rooms feel cramped. Accentuating the vertical dimensions of the space can help offset this. Do this by installing vertically centered window treatments. Adding drapes that run down to the floor helps create an illusion of a higher ceiling. Consider vertical blinds or shades instead of Venetian blinds.  

More Natural Light

Allowing more natural light in your home create the illusion of a bigger space. A bow or bay window can make a room appear more expansive. Installing window treatments that are the same color as the wall also helps.

Airy Fabrics

Sheer fabrics allow light to pass through. From window treatments to table cloths, look for sheer materials to help make your space feel more open and airy.

Declutter

Let go of the stuff that you do not need. If you haven’t used something in a year, donate or toss it. Having too many things can make a small space feel chaotic. Organize your belongings behind doors or on shelves. With fewer things in sight, your space will look more open and neater. 

Light Color Palette

Deep and dark hues make a room feel more intimate. Light, cooler colors make spaces feel open and airy. Softer shades of blues and greens will maximize this effect. Pick colors in the same color family and use tone-on-tone woven upholstery fabric and textured wall finishes.

Paint Matters

Use glossy paint throughout the room, as this provides a mirror-like finish that adds depth. Alternatively, you can also choose paint with a matte finish to bring attention to the room instead of the ceiling. Painting the ceiling line a few inches down the wall will make the ceiling feel higher than it really is. 

Matching Pieces

Coordinate the color of your walls, trim, window frames and window treatments. Opt for white, beige and pastel colors. Stick to neutral colored furniture and avoid patterns, stripes or prints. 

When you choose Renewal by Andersen® of Eastern NY for your window replacement, you’re investing in long-lasting beauty and durability. We offer a wide selection of interior and exterior window colors and finishes to match every home, all of which are integrated into our exclusive Fibrex® framing material during manufacturing.   

Clear Obstacles

Move furniture away from walkways to open up your space and make it look bigger. Choose shorter furniture pieces like armless chairs, a low table or an ottoman. Avoid furniture with a skirt along the bottom and instead look for pieces featuring clean lines. Place larger pieces of furniture along the wall, as having a clear view of the floor will make the room look more spacious. 

You can also mount your television and shelves on the wall for added floor space. Try to hide the chords from TVs, computers and other electronics. 

Mirrors

Smart mirror placement is key to “expanding” a small room. Make your interior look more spacious by bringing the outdoor view inside. Place a mirror across from your casement windows. This will also bring more natural light into the room. For a seamless look, choose a frameless mirror or one with the same frame color as your walls and window treatments. 

See-Through Materials

Using see-through materials can make anything beyond look farther away. For instance, replacing your solid shower curtain with a clear, frameless glass door will make a tiny bathroom look bigger. Also, consider glass or lucite tabletops. 

Give Up Window Treatments

You can highlight the beauty of your architectural or custom windows by eliminating window treatments altogether. Unobstructed windows admit more natural light, making a small room feel less cramped. Windows that have muntin bars and multiple panels can give your space more character. 

Bigger Furniture

Instead of having several smaller pieces of furniture, invest in a few large minimalist pieces. An open space combined with just a few pieces of larger furniture will make a space feel roomier. 

Create a Focal Point

Highlight an item in the room like a fireplace or a large piece of artwork. Place it as far away from the door as possible to attract attention to it and make the tiny room look bigger. You can also make a feature stand out by adding colors, texture or wall decor behind it. A wall covering or mural will further enhance the space. Draw attention away from a low ceiling by adding a bold rug. 

Modify Kitchen Cabinets

Install cabinets that reach the ceiling, or replace them with open shelving to maximize the wall space. You can also replace solid interior doors with glass doors to create an illusion of more space. 

Turn to Renewal by Andersen of Eastern NY for energy-saving windows. We are also a leading provider of high-quality entry and patio doors. Our team has been serving homeowners for more than 40 years. Call us at (866) 479-1700 or fill out our online form to request a free in-home consultation.