How To with Howard's: Make a Small Room Feel Bigger

1.       The first and most obvious answer is to remove the clutter! This does not necessarily mean you have to get rid of anything. It can be as simple as getting the right piece of furniture to store your items in and on. This can also apply to walls, too many décor items can crowd the room and close off the space.

2.       Another common response is to think about the placement of the furniture. Bigger items should be flush against the wall leaving more open space on the floor. You also want to make sure there is a pathway across the room. Being able to walk freely across the room opens the space, making it feel larger.

3.       Highlight the focal point of the room. Every room has a different focal point, it can usually be attributed to the largest piece of furniture in the room. Ex. The bed in the bedroom and the table in the dining room. The focal point immediately draws the eye's attention upon entering the room, which is why the space around it should be left open.

4.       Mirrors! The key to making a room feel bigger with a mirror is all about placement. It’s common to hang mirrors on walls. This helps reflect the central light around the room, making it appear brighter and more open. Some other great ways to give the illusion of depth is to angle the mirror towards the “focal point” of the room or turn it to reflect the landscape outside.

5.       The right lighting is crucial to a room, the brighter the room the bigger the space feels, allowing as much natural light in as possible. When thinking about curtains, use light colors or pastels to stop them from absorbing the light. Lamps can be equally important because they distribute the light anywhere around the room, especially at night. Remember you can also use a mirror to help reflect light around the room.

6.       The colors around the room can also affect the space. Using light neutral colors both in the furniture and on the walls will make the room feel more open and brighter. It’s important to contrast your pieces as well to create dimension. A great way to do this is to add an accent wall. Great colors to consider are white, off-white, light grey, and pastels.