9 Tips for Making a Room Look Bigger

The key to successful small-space living might be easier than you think. It all boils down to tricking the eye into perceiving more space by employing three simple concepts: scale, light, and movement.
 

Scale it down

To create a sense of roominess, always leave a little air in between the sides of your furniture and the walls.

Also avoid heavy, weighty pieces that eat up too much of the usable space in the room. If you long for a large, statement piece (a piece of art or mirror), hang it on the wall. Don’t consume valuable living space by putting it on the floor.
 

Keep a low profile

Furniture that is lower to the ground will create a feeling of openness in a room simply by the fact that they leave more space above them. In the bedroom, choose a loft bed or even try placing a mattress directly on the floor. In the living room, embrace your inner Mad Men style with low-to-the-ground midcentury pieces. Or, if your tastes run more toward the romantic and ornate, 19th-century furniture also has a low profile.

Show a little leg with lithe furniture

Again, creating the illusion of more space is all about creating a sense of openness and movement. Furniture that is streamlined allows light and air to flow not just over but also under and around it, so that it appears to float in space. Again, think midcentury modern pieces, which are both low and leggy.
 

Mirror on the wall…

Any discussion of small spaces needs to include the idea of using mirrors to create a greater sense of openness. Not only do they reflect light, they also reflect the view, thereby tricking the eye into perceiving more space.

White it out

We all know of white’s reflective qualities. It opens up a room, making it feel airy and light, calm and serene. Painting the walls and ceiling the same shade of white only enhances this cloud-like effect. And it serves to blur the boundaries between wall and celling, causing your eye to travel up, essentially making the ceiling seem higher. Finally, in small spaces that can quickly become cluttered looking, white is a good choice because it simplifies a space.

If you’re worried that an all-white space will feel too cold, then pair it with warming elements such as wood, or textured elements, such as a shaggy wool throw.

Emphasize the vertical

Whether it’s a tall shelf, some vertical shiplap, or the bare hanging bulb, employing one element that emphasizes the vertical space in the room will increase the sense of openness. It also enhances the feeling of movement and flow.

Clear a pathway

When dealing with a small room, one naturally wants to maximize the space by pushing all the pieces to the edges. But if this causes you to bump into things, it can enhance a claustrophobic feel. Sometimes it is better to group the furniture on one side of the room, so people can pass through unhindered.
 

Use breezy fabrics

If possible, avoid heavy materials and fabrics that absorb light and weigh your room down. Linen is a perfect example of a lightweight material that will increase the sense of airiness in the room.

Above all, keep it simple

The more pieces, possessions, and patterns you have in a room, the more cluttered it will feel. Ditto with art; concentrate your framed pieces on one or two walls. Avoid busy patterns and overwhelming colors.

Source: https://www.remodelista.com/posts/how-to-make-a-room-look-bigger-11-expert-tips/