Add reflective surfaces
Yes, you know that mirrors make a space appear larger. (“It's like doubling a room,” Curtis says.) But other reflective surfaces — high-gloss painted ceilings, lacquered furniture, shiny tile on a kitchen backsplash — have a similar effect, casting light and creating the illusion of volume.
Whether you're using paint or wallpaper, light colours work best for making a space look larger. Try using whites, creams, stone colours or even pale greys or icy blues that will make the room seem light and airy, rather than darker colours that will absorb light and close up the space.
From favorite paint colors to specialized design advice, Benjamin Moore's color and design experts have the answers to a common homeowner question: How do I make a small room look bigger and brighter? Lighter paint colors like off-whites, light neutrals, pales, and pastels give the illusion of larger, brighter rooms.
Sure, an oversized deep modular sofa may not be appropriate, but believe it or not, furnishing your home with a few bigger pieces can make a space feel larger. Be thoughtful when choosing furniture for your small space. Opt for fewer, statement pieces in plain fabrics instead of multiple.
Light-colored furniture can help a small room feel bigger and more airy because it doesn't stand out in the way that dark furniture does. It brings more light into the space. But furniture in light tones may not work as well in a large room, because the space may feel too open.
Although it's true that dark wood has a heavier visual look, that mostly just means it's bolder and more imposing, not that it actually makes the space look smaller. The key is you have to do it right. If you have too much dark going on in a space, yes, it will make the room look smaller.
'A light-toned sofa in neutral colors, such as beige, cream, light gray, or white, can create a sense of openness in any room. These soft hues reflect the natural and artificial light that enters the room, making the space look brighter, airier, and more spacious.
Stark White
Naturally, white is an obvious choice for making a room feel bigger. It's no secret that light colors make a room look larger, especially if the space is bathed in natural light. Eggshell or satin finishes will help reflect the light, creating the appearance of even more space.
Choose a light-colored rug to open up your space.
“Stick to light, cool tones as much as possible, as these will trick the eye into thinking the space is bigger than it is,” recommends Cristina.
Vertical stripes, ones that go up and down, will help to stretch a room and make it feel taller than it is. Fun fact, that's one of the tricks behind Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion pre-show. Striped wallpaper that runs horizontally, on the other hand, can make a room appear wider than it really is.
White furniture and white walls both make your room appear larger. Although too much white without adding other colors can make the general aesthetic appear stale, the importance of the color white in expanding the feel of the room is undeniable.
Mirrors are one of the most effective ways of expanding space, adding depth as well as character, so it is an ideal solution to making a narrow room feel wider.
Another excellent way to make a room look bigger while eliminating clutter is with shelving units. Placed on either end of a window, you can even put a storage bench between them to create a window seat in a bedroom.
'Many choose to use bright white in smaller spaces assuming white will make the room appear larger, however light neutrals and soft colors used in a tonal scheme will have the same effect whilst not appearing too stark or cold,' adds Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene.
Grey – The Most Popular Of All Sofa Colors
It's a neutral tone, which means it creates a great foundation for a space. You can add color to a grey sofa using toss pillows, throw blankets, and area rugs.
To sum up, there isn't a lot of scientific research behind how colour affects your mood. However, anecdotal evidence suggests it can affect your frame of mind and consequently your sleep. The best bedroom colours we'd recommend to make you happy are yellow, blue, green, and pastel shades such as lilac.
PURPLE. Purple has been associated with royalty in the past and is often thought of as a luxury color. Think about beauty products and anti-aging lines–more times than not, they will incorporate a shade of purple in the branding.
Purple is often used to show luxury, loyalty, courage, mystery, and magic. It's a very intriguing color as it soothes but also presents space for mystery and new ideas. This is why creativity is most often associated with the color purple.
Empty rooms almost always appear smaller than they really are because without furniture … it has no frame of reference. This empty room had doorways everywhere and a small fireplace that would make buyers feel like their furniture would absolutely not fit.
Here's the first surprise. Painting a small room dark can make it look bigger. 'Contrary to traditional thinking, dark paint allows the room to appear larger and taller than it may be. Dark colors add depth, visually enlarge the space, and make a great statement,' says Lichelle Silvestry.