How to make a small room feel bigger

We believe that every space in your home deserves to be loved - even the smallest rooms can have big potential.

It's time to welcome space instead of fighting against it. At My Bespoke Room, our designers excel at creating space seemingly out of thin air.

Here’s how it's done:

When choosing a paint colour, consider the quality of light in your room, rather than its size.

Is your room north, south, east, or west-facing? 

If your room receives a lot of light, opt for a lighter hue that will help bounce this light around. It’s a myth that white walls are best for dark spaces - white hues need plenty of light or they look flat and dull.

For north-facing spaces, try moody and darker colours that will add depth and embrace the cosiness.

Some wallpaper patterns can actually trick the eye into thinking there’s more space and depth behind them. Vertical striped wallpaper can also elongate the room, making your ceilings look taller.

Painting your skirting boards and doors the same colour as the walls will also add the illusion of greater height, as there is no contrast breaking up the space.

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In small rooms, you really want to utilise natural light as much as possible.

To do this, keep windows uncovered or use sheer curtains to allow natural light to flood the room, making it feel more spacious.

Curtains can also take up a surprising amount of space - instead, try out shutter blinds for a seamless fit.

Don’t forget about other forms of light too: introducing floor and table lamps into corners will make a room feel larger in the evenings, simply because you can now see more of it. It might sound like common sense, but trust us - it’s a common mistake!

Top tip: by hanging mirrors, you can bounce more light across the room, making it feel brighter and larger.

As with renovating any room in your home, it’s always good to start with a declutter.

A very common offence that our designers see in small rooms is the clustering of unnecessary items.

Try to be ruthless and keep only items in the room that you truly love. Ask yourself do I really need this in my space or can it live somewhere else?

After that, take a look at your furniture and think about whether it serves an important purpose in that room.

For example, do you really need that set of nesting tables or can everything just be popped on the centre coffee table instead?

When choosing furniture, look for pieces that have slim legs rather than bulky styles - it's a subtle but powerful trick to fool your eye into thinking there's more floor space than there is.

Consider the remaining furniture in the room and assess its shape and size. 

One of the most common design mistakes we encounter is selecting furniture that doesn't fit the room's size.

Before making any purchases, especially for larger items such as sofas and beds, measure up and outline their dimensions in the room using boxes or masking tape. This will help you determine if the piece overwhelms the space.

Get crafty with wall-mounted furniture and shelves to free up floor space!

With shelves up high, your gaze naturally rises, creating the illusion of a taller room.

By moving family photos and scented candles onto these shelves, you'll reclaim table space and add a touch of flair to your walls!

Whoever said a chair is just for sitting clearly hasn't experienced the challenges of a small room!

In compact spaces, think furniture multitasking.

Pieces such as ottomans, dining benches and mirror cabinets all have multiple functions, meaning they add to the aesthetics of the space, all while moonlighting as storage.

You can make any room feel larger by blurring the lines between adjoining rooms, meaning the space feels more open and free-flowing.

Pocket doors are a great way to do this as they free up space and avoid furniture collisions. You can have the doors open to make the room feel like an extension of the rest of your home or close them whenever you need extra privacy.

Another great way to make your small room feel more open is to use the same flooring throughout the home, making your rooms blend together and the space feel bigger.

Finally, floor-to-ceiling, bifold doors will make your small room feel a part of the outside, giving the illusion of more space and having the added benefit of bringing in more light too.

Need help with your own small space? Our professional Interior Designers will help you make the most of every inch.

Start transforming your room for just £395 today by getting in touch with one of our experts.