Remodeling and Renovation Ideas for Small Spaces

When you add a skylight or expand a window, you’ll introduce dispersed light instead of direct light. Unlike direct light, dispersed light enters the space from all angles and helps reduce shadows that can strain your eyes and make a room feel confined, closed and uncomfortable. You can use mirrors near windows to disperse the light even more. This has the added advantage of allowing you to leave the lights off for much of the day.

Choose operable skylights that can improve the airflow in a small room in addition to improving lighting, adding to the feeling of openness. Make sure the skylight is properly installed with proper flashing and insulation so moisture problems don’t override the benefits of more light and airflow.

Add awnings and trellises at larger windows to reduce solar heat gain while still allowing more light to enter.

Don't mute natural light with dark paint or wallpaper, which will always make a space appear smaller. Consider painting walls with pastels like light blue or green or use cream, beige and off-white to reflect the natural light in a room. In the kitchen, extend this color scheme with white cabinets and neutral or light-colored countertops.

Even if you really want a clawfoot tub, if the bathroom is tiny, you'll be wasting precious inches to accommodate a fixture that doesn’t contribute to the function of the room. Keep features simple and compact. Use wall-mounted faucets instead of built-in faucets so the countertop can be smaller. You can save space in the bathroom with round toilet bowls instead of elongated models. If you're replacing appliances in the kitchen, a 24-inch range instead of the standard 30- or 36-inch model won't hinder the stove’s functionality but will make the space look bigger.

If your kitchen is cramped, look up — the cabinets probably don't extend to the ceiling. Maximize your available space by installing shelving or taller cabinets in that empty space. You’ll decrease clutter, making the kitchen seem bigger.

Depending on the structure of the home, it may be possible during a full-scale renovation to have your contractor take space from a bathroom or bedroom closet to expand the room. Just make sure you know where you'll put the new closet and allow for 3 feet of clearance around the bed.

Removing a wall to create a more open plan may be another possibility during a full renovation. For example, your contractor may be able to remove a non-load-bearing wall between the kitchen and living room or dining room, making the home feel bigger and brighter. With the wall gone, the sightlines will be extended, so your gaze can extend all the way to the other side of the house instead of to a wall a few feet away.