Decorating small spaces
- Madeleine
- Consultant
In short
To make a small space feel bigger it is all about perception. Maximise natural light with roller blinds and light colours, add a mirror opposite the window, and draw the eye up with floor-to-ceiling curtains. Use vertical and double-duty storage, arrange furniture slightly off the walls, tie in trim and ceiling colours, and declutter so everything has a place.
Bigger is not automatically better, but a small home can be a challenge when it comes to fitting in everything you need and love. From storage and furniture to colour and how you hang your curtains, here are our favourite ways to make the most of a limited space and make small rooms feel bigger.
Table of contents
Maximise storage and furniture
Use every bit of space and think up, not out. Walls, under furniture, behind doors and beneath the stairs can all earn their keep.
Go vertical with floating shelves, tall bookshelves and wall-mounted baskets, and use wall or ceiling lighting and a wall-mounted TV to free up the floor.
Choose double-duty furniture with built-in storage, like ottomans and beds with drawers, and consider a stylish foldaway bed.
In a kitchen or dining area, built-in bench seating around a corner seats a crowd while letting the table slide out of the way.
Let the light in
Light is a small space's best friend, so make the most of it. Keep as much of the window unobscured as possible and choose lighter colours, which bounce natural light around the room. A mirror on the wall opposite the window reflects and spreads that light, and two mirrors directly opposite each other create the illusion of much more space.
Work your window furnishings
Window furnishings can make a small room feel larger. Roller blinds sit tidily and leave the glass mostly clear when open, letting in maximum light. With curtains, run them from ceiling to floor rather than just above the frame to draw the eye up and make the ceiling feel higher; our guides on curtains for high ceilings and optimising your space with curtains go further.
Arrange, colour and declutter
Resist pushing all the furniture to the walls; arranging it slightly more centrally, with space around it, can make a room feel bigger.
Tie in trim and ceiling colours with the walls, using the same colour in different shades (lighter for the ceiling, slightly darker for the trim) so they do not stand out.
Declutter. No amount of clever storage helps if there is too much stuff; let go of what you do not need, and photograph sentimental items if that makes it easier.
Want help choosing window furnishings that open up your space? Request a free in-home consultation and one of our consultants will tailor the right look for your rooms.
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Guides
Choosing the right curtains for your home
Not sure which curtains will suit your home? Find out everything you need to know with this free guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a small room look bigger?
Maximise natural light, keep colours light, add a mirror opposite the window, draw the eye up with floor-to-ceiling curtains, use vertical and double-duty storage, float the furniture slightly off the walls, and declutter so the space can breathe.
What curtains make a room look bigger?
Hang curtains from ceiling to floor rather than just above the frame; the extra height draws the eye up and makes the ceiling feel higher and the room larger. Lighter colours and sheer or roller blinds that leave the glass clear also help let light in.
Do mirrors make a room look bigger?
Yes. A mirror on the wall opposite a window reflects and spreads natural light, and two mirrors directly opposite each other create the illusion of much more space.
What blinds are best for small rooms?
Roller blinds are ideal because they sit tidily and leave the window mostly clear when open, letting in maximum natural light, which is a small room's best friend.
Expert advice at home
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