How to Make a Room Look Bigger

Making a small room look bigger has a lot to do with the colors that are used, the size of furniture, and how you place the furniture. It is not just about clutter in the room, which is what most people think. Cleaning the room up helps, but if some of the following tips are not used, your room is still bound to look small.

Color & Lighting

• Color has a lot to do with making a room look bigger. Dark colors absorb light, which makes a room look smaller. Light and bright colors reflect the natural light in the room, which creates the illusion that the room is more open and airy than it might actually be. Therefore, considering new painting options can be an easy solution to the problem!
• Using natural light to the fullest of your ability will help make a room look bigger than it is. If you have the capability, allow light in through windows as much as possible. Large picture windows, and full length glass doors and windows work the best. They not only let in more light, but because the eye does not notice the edge defining wall, one sees an extension of the room into the outdoors.

Furniture Size & Placement

• The size of your furniture can also play a role in making a room look bigger. Large, oversized pieces, especially sofas, can make the room appear smaller than it is. When choosing furniture, make sure it fits the room, and do not place furniture to close to pathways. Blocking pathways makes it feel cluttered and small.
• Placing furniture at an angle can help make a room look bigger than it is. This is because the diagonal line of an object is always its longest. Thus, by placing a large object at an angle, the eye will travel along this diagonal line and will give the illusion of the room being larger.