We’ve researched and found the top tips to trick the eye and ensure those smaller, and more challenging, rooms are decorated to appear larger and utilize the space.
Using light colours and neutral tones will allow you to design a much brighter and larger room. These colours, shades and tones will allow the light to reflect off the walls and create an illusion of a more open and airy space. A useful and simple trick to give the impression of more ‘space’ is to paint the ceiling, walls and trim the same colour. Cool colours, such as light shades of grey, blue and green, convey a fresh feeling and can help to create a visual impression of more space. White is always a go-to colour when decorating a room. It’s reflective features help to create a more light, calm, airy and relaxed space.
Choosing furniture that sits closer to the ground creates a larger space in the area above. Pair this with minimal decoratives on the walls and you’ll have a room which feels roomier and brighter. Mirrors are a great idea as they reflect the light and create the illusion of a bigger room. They also reflect the view, tricking the eye to believing there is more space than there actually is. When selecting your furniture try to choose a piece which shows a little leg. Having a gap between the floor and the furniture lets air pass not only around and above, but also under, creating a sense of openness and movement. This is also important when deciding where to place your furniture. Leaving a gap between the piece and the wall will help to create the same sense of fluidity.
Lighting is key to opening up a space. Natural light will help to open up your interior. If the room is exposed to a lot of natural light then large windows will help to let the light in and give the impression that the room is larger. If your room is limited on natural light, then evenly spacing out a few lamps can really help to make a room more expansive.
Storage spaces which also double up as furniture are a great way to ensure you can tidy your space up as well as ensuring it’s not overcrowded. Ottomans and footstools are great ideas as they can be used as storage by simply raising the lid, a coffee table or even additional seating.
Declutter relentlessly! There is nothing that makes a space feel smaller then lots of knick-knacks piled on top of each other on every available surface; if there is too much going on, then the room will feel crowded. Use the unwritten rule of ‘if you haven’t used it in a year – get rid of it!’ It will really help you to gauge what you need and what is making your space feel untidy and stuffy. Your room will feel less claustrophobic and lighter without the unused and unnecessary items.
Lastly, and most importantly, keep it simple. Try to avoid busy wallpapers and patterns as this can make the room feel even more cluttered and closed off. If you must have an elaborate wallpaper then try placing it on one accent wall and keep the rest of the room simple. To keep this illusion, you must be strict with what goes into the room as it’s easy to get carried away and fill your space with what you are trying to avoid.