When you live in a small space it can feel like there’s not much you can do about it. Everything from lighting to clutter has the potential to make your small space feel even smaller. Whether you live in a cramped apartment or just need some storage solutions for a smaller home, there are plenty of ways to make your small space feel bigger. It requires smart design and innovative solutions. By using smart storage solutions and strategic decorating techniques, you can transform that cramped feeling into a cozy one. Read on for some useful advice and ideas on how to expand your space without spending a fortune on renovations.

Hide your belongings

Number one thing to do is, getting rid of clutter because it can make your small space feel even more cramped. If you have things lying around that you don’t use, try to store or hide them. Drawers and cabinets, are great ways to offer yourself plenty of extra storage. You can also use baskets to hide items like towels, blankets, and shoes, behind a sofa or bed. If you don’t have a lot of floor space, try installing shelves and hooks on the walls. Shelves are a great place to store books, decorative items and personal belongings stored in decorative boxes. All these tips will make your small space looking neat and tidy which helps to make a small space appear larger.

Go for lighter colors

Colors can make a room feel bigger or smaller depending on what you choose. Dark, bold colors make a room feel smaller and create a sense of intimacy, while lighter colors reflect the natural light and make the room feel larger and airy and light. If you are not necessarily trying to achieve an intimate feel for example in your bedroom you can easily create the illusion of extra space, with lighter colors. An additional consideration for creating a calm, uncluttered space that feels larger is, to choose fabrics and furniture in similar shades to your wall paint.

Use mirrors

Mirrors are a great decorative item that can make your small space look bigger and brighter because they reflect light and give small spaces depth. Placing a mirror directly opposite of a window will enhance that brightening effect. It’s also important that the mirror you choose, is big enough. Small mirrors or even a grouping of small mirrors won’t do the job. A single large mirror is the ideal method to achieve the feel of spaciousness. A tall mirror will also draw your eyes upward which is additionally a great way to give your space more height.

It‘s all about proportions

Proper furnishings can make a space appear larger. To achieve this, you should avoid heavy, bulky furniture because they consume too much valuable living space. A sleek sofa or chair with open arms and exposed legs makes a room appear airier by taking up less space and allowing light to filter beneath the furniture. If it happens, that you already have a favorite piece that’s large and bulky, make sure to position it against the wall. Also make sure to always leave a little air in between the sides of your furniture and the walls. It is also crucial to keep in mind that you should not obstruct sight lines. A room will appear cramped if furnishings and accessories block the view. Lower pieces, like platform beds and slipper chairs, create an open feeling by opening up the space above. Glass tables are also a go-to to make your small space feel more spacious.

Go with lightweight fabrics

Heavy and dark fabrics will make your space feel cramped. To create an airy and light feeling, opt for lightweight, breezy fabrics for drapes. Keep the look simple by selecting light, plain colors. If you wanna have patterns, stick with soft, vertical lines. Floor-to-ceiling curtains hung high above your window will add height to the room and thus make your space appear more spacious. Also, make sure to opt for sheer curtains as they will let natural light in, which helps to expand the room.

Vertical and horizontal stripes

Vertical stripes help to create a sense of height in a room, which can be great for anyone who wants their space to feel grander. Horizontal stripes help a room appear wider. Picking a patterned wallpaper is an easy way to add the illusion of more space and some visual interest to a room, but it is important to make sure the scale of the pattern works well with the room’s dimensions. A large pattern in a small room can make the room feel even smaller. Also, make sure to go with light colors.

If you’re struggling to organize your small space, check out my post on ‘Tiny Home, Tidy Life: Expert Tips for Organizing Small Spaces with Style and Efficiency‘ for some helpful advice on how to make the most of limited square footage.

Are you going to try these tips out? What is your secret to making your small space appear bigger? Tell me your thoughts below!