How to Make a Small Room Look More Spacious

Even though a room is small, it's possible to make it look more spacious. Making a small room look more spacious is a matter of using a few tricks and decorating in a way that suits the particular room. You don't have to crimp on style, but just make some adjustments that will work in relation to the room size. Following are some tips to help make a small room look more spacious.

Remove the Non-Necessities

I'm a stickler for getting rid of clutter. It not only causes stress and less efficiency, but it also takes away from the spaciousness of a room. Get rid of any clutter in your small room. This alone will help make a visible difference.

Look around at accessories you have in your room. Are there too many knick knacks or one too many pillows you could do without? Maybe your walls are covered by several pictures or paintings. Decrease the number and allow more of your walls to show. Simplify and only keep what you really need in your small room.

Furniture in Proportion

When buying furniture for a small room, be sure to keep the size of the room in mind. This sounds like a no-brainer, but it's very tempting to buy that oversize-size and comfy couch when you see it in the store without knowing it if will fit in your room. You may be tempted to buy a king size bed because of the comfort, but it will take up most of the space in a small bedroom or it may not fit in there at all. Be sure to take measurements of your room before purchasing new furniture and keep in mind how all the furniture will fit together in the room. Buying furniture in proportion to the room will give a much better appearance. It's like decorating a doll house. Don't use what doesn't fit! You scale furniture in proportion to the room size.

A love seat and a couple of chairs may be the better option in a small living room. This also gives you more options in being able to rearrange furniture than a full-size couch. You could add in an ottoman or stools for extra seating. Try to find pieces that serve multi-functions.

Corner desks and entertainment centers can work well in a small room and create a more spacious look. You'll have storage room, but more confined. Using furniture that goes from the floor up high works well in a small room as opposed to wide furniture. This gives you more storage space and the lines of vertical furniture gives the illusion of a more spacious room.

Walls and Decorating

Avoid dark colors on walls in a small room. Light, neutral or bright colors work best. Anything with print such as wallpaper border or wallpaper tends to make a room look smaller.

Mirrors can work wonders in a small room. The illumination creates a sense of more space. For accents, think in 'tall' terms. Short or bulky accessories or accents make a room look less spacious.

Solid colors tend to make a room look larger than do prints. Choose area rugs, bedding, pillows, throws, lamp shades, etc. in solids or very small print. Choosing colors in the same shade, but a bit lighter or darker will help blend the room together well and make it look larger. For example, a bedroom with cool blue walls, would look great with bedding in a couple different shades of the same blue. White or cream also work well in coordinating with other colors to lighten a room and make it appear larger.

Windows

If you have windows in your small room, let the natural light shine through. This gives a more open feel. Use light-weight curtains or sheer panels instead of heavy draperies. If your windows are very small or you don't have any at all, use lamps for plenty of lighting.

With careful planning and a few changes your small room can look and feel beautiful. It doesn't take a magician to make the change, but imagination to create the illusion!