10 Ways to Make a Small Room Look Larger

For the illusion of a larger room, use a light color scheme. Pastels, neutrals, shades of cream and white are all color possibilities. If you love color, make your predominant wall color light and then add bold pops of color, such as this cheerful bright blue on the front door.

For more paint ideas, check out the following articles:
8 Steps to Picking the Perfect Interior Paint Color
White Paint Color Selection Tips
Paint Color Forecast: 9 Trending Shades

To make a small room feel larger, try using a monochromatic color scheme. Select different shades and textures of your single color. In this image, a small bathroom is painted from floor to ceiling in a pale mauve-taupe color. 

The moulding in a bathroom or dining room is often painted white on the bottom half. By using one solid color for everything, it makes the room feel less choppy and creates a cohesive experience. Pull in the same color through flooring, textiles and accessories for a streamlined look. 

For more ideas, read 4 Budget-Friendly Small Bathroom Ideas to Refresh Your Space.

Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small room. A torchiere lamp is great for bouncing light off of the ceiling and back down in a living room or bedroom. Skylights and solar tubes are natural alternatives for adding light.

To find the best lighting for your small space, read:
Lighting Trends to Follow Now
How to Choose the Right Lights
Skylight Window Buying Guide

If you live in a small space, every square foot counts. But you can't remove everything from your life because it's just not practical. So you need to be smart about your space. Here are a few ideas: 

• Use a trunk or a storage ottoman as a coffee table. It can also do double duty to hold blankets, remotes, books, photo albums, etc.
• Use 3-drawer dressers as nightstands to hold more clothes in a small bedroom.
  
• Limit the number of accessories to avoid the cluttered feeling.
  
• Wherever possible, invest in built-ins or shelving. The built-in bookcases in this image give you ample space to show off your favorite decor items and books. Cabinets on the bottom can store audio/visual equipment, exercise equipment and other items you want nearby, but out of view.

Here are a few other ideas to maximize storage in small spaces:
6 Ways to Organize a Small Linen Closet
Ideas and Tips to Get the Most Out of a Small Laundry Room
Tackle Toy Storage and Other Kids' Room Décor Challenges

The floor and the ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls of every room. A light-colored floor, such as light oak or a light-colored carpet or rug will make the room appear brighter and more open. To pick the perfect rug, read How to Style a Room With Rugs.

The same applies to the ceiling—use a light color or white to open up the space above. If you have high ceilings and good lighting, you can go with a bolder color like this olive green in a living room. Read more about How to Paint a Ceiling.

Make a room appear larger by adding wall mirrors. They not only reflect images, they reflect light and color. Use mirror tiles to mirror an entire wall. Your room will appear to double in size. In this image, a curved floor mirror works great in a small open floor plan where the living room and kitchen blend into one. 

To select and hang your new mirror, check out the following:
How to Hang a Heavy Mirror
Choosing the Best Mirror for Your Home

Low-slung furniture works better in the middle of the room, while bigger pieces should go up against the wall. Avoid too many pieces of furniture in a small space. A loveseat may work better than a full-size sofa depending on the size and shape of the room. Place two chairs close to a corner or the wall. Then you can pull them into the area when additional seating is needed.

For more style tips and ideas, read the following:
Small Home Office Ideas
8 Style Trends You Should Follow Now

Add paintings or prints to the walls. One large painting works better than a group of small paintings and makes the room feel more expansive.

To choose the best art for your home, read these articles:
How to Select Wall Art and Décor for Your Home
Hanging Picture Frames or Gallery Wall Frames

When selecting cabinets for a small kitchen, laundry room or bathroom, take them to the ceiling. It not only gives you more storage and organizational space, but it creates the illusion of higher ceilings and a bigger room overall. In this image, deep mauve cabinets reach the ceiling. By painting the cabinets and the walls the same color, it provides a streamlined, cohesive space.

For more small space and cabinet ideas, read:
Kitchen Cabinet Buying Guide
12 Ways to Update Your Kitchen Cabinets
Ideas and Tips to Get the Most Out of a Small Laundry Room
How to Organize Your Laundry Room

Use furniture that doesn't feel bulky or heavy. In this image, the light linen sofa, navy stool and brass and marble coffee table have an openness at the bottom, making the room feel more airy and expansive. 

Glass tables, acrylic chairs or lucite pieces of furniture are also great for small spaces. White walls and light floors keep things light and bright, which makes small spaces feel larger.

Q: What colors make a small room look bigger?
A: The lighter your colors are, the bigger the room will feel. Stick to shades of white and cream, pastels and light neutrals in gray and taupe.

Q: How do you make a small room look bigger on a budget?
A: There are several ways you can make a small room look bigger without spending a lot of money. Here are a few ideas:

• Declutter. A messy space feels smaller.
  
• Purchase curtains that you can hang as close to the ceiling as possible. For example, if your ceiling height is 8-feet high, purchase 96-inch curtains.
  
• Keep your colors light. Light-colored walls and flooring will make a space feel roomier. If you like bold and bright hues, incorporate them through artwork, blankets, throw pillows and home decor accents.
  
• Add table and floor lamps. The more light you have, the bigger the space feels.
  

Q: How do you make a small room not look cluttered?
A: There's nothing wrong with a few home decor accessories and books. But if it starts to look jumbled, it's time to declutter. Here are some ideas that'll help.

• Keep your favorite vases, frames and collectibles, so the space looks comfortable and lived in. Then donate or resell what you're not using.
• Try not to fit too many pieces of furniture in one space.
  
• If you need storage, have your furniture do double duty. Use a console table with drawers for an entryway or a three-drawer dresser as a nightstand, end table or entry table. Use a trunk or a storage ottoman as your coffee table to store remotes, blankets, books and more.
  
• Buy items that have legs and an open bottom to create a sense of airiness. In the image above, a beautiful brass and marble washstand makes this powder room feel bigger because there isn't a bulky bathroom vanity with drawers.