Many homeowners have a room in their house that they wish were just a little bit bigger. Either a little more space might increase property value, or there’s just not enough room for everything… cramped is rarely comfortable or commodifiable.
And yet, for many of us, large-scale renovations just often aren’t in the budget. So, how can we create a space that feels more expansive without the time, expense, and stress of a full renovation?
From scheduling colour and design consultations to selecting furniture that serves multiple purposes, here are some easy and affordable ways to make a room look and feel larger without renovating.
Choosing Light and Neutral Paints
Never underestimate the power of paint in making small rooms feel more expansive! Paint colour and technique can instantly increase a room’s visual depth and change the entire look and feel of a space.
For example, light, neutral paint colours can make walls feel as if they’re receding, while dark-coloured walls can make the same space feel as if it’s closing in. Warm whites or pastels are great options for making a small room feel larger, and painting the walls, trim, and baseboards the same colour will eliminate visual breaks, extending the space’s impact.
A fresh coat of paint can be especially helpful for zhuzhing up older Victorian properties, such as more compact, Federation-style townhouses. Professional interior painters in Melbourne can provide expert advice through a colour consultation to help you decide on a specific shade and technique that will maximise your space and ensure a flawless, long-lasting finish, increasing both property value and comfort.
Tricking the Eye with Mirrors
Did you know that strategically placing mirrors across from windows can help make a room appear twice as large? This technique amplifies the natural light entering the room, almost as if the space had a second window.
Note that small mirrors scattered around the room may create a more fragmented appearance that could even make the room feel smaller. Try using a single, large mirror — ideally a floor-length one propped against the wall — for maximum visual impact.
In rooms without windows, such as hallways, try placing a mirror at the far end to eliminate the “dead end” effect. If you’d prefer to hang your mirror on the wall, be sure to place it behind a light source to achieve a similar added depth effect.
By tricking the eye with mirrors, you can make a space feel far more claustrophobic without making any physical changes!
Using Multiple Light Sources
Single overhead lights can feel somewhat oppressive at times, casting dark shadows onto the floor and emphasising a room’s small size. Instead, try placing several light sources throughout the room to achieve a more comforting effect.
Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting at different levels to add dimension and optimise functionality. Lamps in dark corners will brighten the space and reduce shadows, making the room feel less boxed in, while well-placed wall sconces create an uplighting effect that gives the illusion of height.
By filling the room with gentle, multi-dimensional light, you’ll allow the eye to travel freely around the space, an easy, affordable way to manipulate the room into feeling more expansive.
Finding Low Profile, Multi-Purpose Furniture
Furniture like desks and sofas should be lower to the floor to increase the sense of wall height. That said, choosing somewhat elevated furniture with visible legs, rather than legless options, is advisable, as these allow light to flow beneath them and showcase floor space.
Additionally, multi-purpose furniture (think storage ottomans, stacking side tables, beds with built-in drawers, or extendable dining tables) can help make the most of a small room, providing multiple functions while taking up less space.
By incorporating multi-purpose pieces into a space, you can free up more room and make it feel more inviting and less cramped.
Creating Vertical and Horizontal Space
Smart decorative techniques can make a huge impact on a room’s perceived vertical and horizontal space. Placing tall bookshelves or hanging long curtains from the ceiling instantly draws the eye upwards, making the walls feel much taller than they actually are.
Likewise, creating a gallery wall of stacked artwork can instantly elongate a wall. For increased horizontal space, use large rugs — large enough to tuck under the legs of all your furniture — to connect the different pieces and make the floor feel larger and more continuous.
Accounting for both vertical and horizontal space can make a room feel more complete and make a huge difference in how welcoming it appears.
Decluttering Magic
Cluttered surfaces can make a space feel cramped and crowded. Even dusty bunnies or clumps of pet fur floating around the floor can make the room feel smaller than it actually is.
One easy solution is routine decluttering. Try implementing nightly “closing shift” routines to pick up loose shoes, bags, and papers and put them where they belong before bed, so each day starts with a clean slate.
Even a task as simple as daily tidying and decluttering can make all the difference in creating a more expansive-feeling environment that doesn’t feel oppressive, messy, or tight-packed.
Make the Most Out of a Space With Less
More often than not, making small rooms feel larger doesn’t require taking out a wall. With some simple design and organisational know-how, you can convert almost any space from tight and cramped to totally expansive in no time.
- Consult with an interior painter to find a light, neutral paint colour that makes a room feel bright and open. Trick the eye with mirrors, using them to create a fake second window or remove a “dead end” feeling from the room.
- Use multiple light sources placed at different levels throughout the room for added dimension and functionality. Choose multi-purpose furniture with low legs to increase light flow and reduce space usage.
- Use clever decorative techniques, such as hanging tall curtains or using large rugs, to increase vertical and horizontal space. Declutter the room regularly to make it feel more spacious.
By taking better control of the existing space, you can unlock new potential for your property that you never knew existed. Showcasing a space’s versatility will also appeal to new buyers or investors, so show just how much is possible in your home by making rooms feel larger without any renovations!
