The Tottering Mama

While homes are bigger than ever, averaging about 2,600 square feet, it’s possible that after using a house payment calculator, that you’ll find you can’t afford the amount of square footage you were hoping for. The better news is that there are plenty of ways to make a room look and feel much bigger than it is so that you don’t have to go over your budget. While vaulted ceilings and multiple windows are the most helpful in making a room seem larger, that might be impossible to accomplish, or simply too expensive to afford. 

These five inexpensive options are all quick and easy ways to make a room feel bigger.

Mirrors

Mirrors reflect light, creating a brighter space that can make it feel a lot bigger than it is. Hang mirrors directly across from windows to get the maximum amount of natural light. Choose a variety of mirrors in different shapes throughout your home. You might hang them above your fireplace mantle, over dressers, or any empty wall where you might have placed a piece of art instead.

Use Light

Just as you use mirrors to create more light in any room, all types of lights can be used to brighten it and make it appear much larger. Be sure that you have an adequate amount of ceiling fixtures, floor and table lamps. Recessed lighting can be the ideal option for making a room feel larger without using up space – they can be installed in the ceiling, providing lots of light without taking up the table or floor space.

Color Scheme

Avoid painting the room using any dark color, which can actually make a small space feel even smaller. Use neutral paint for your walls and choose furniture in a lighter color palette, which helps to brighten your space and create the feeling of a much larger room. If you must use dark colors in your design, keep them to a few simple accent pieces, such as your rug or an ottoman.

Create Height

Create height in your room by installing a vertical planked wall, painting vertical stripes, or using tall window coverings. You can add height to your room in other ways too, such as drawing the eyes of guests upwards with a statement chandelier, ceiling mural, or faux beams.

Avoid Clutter

Don’t make your space feel even smaller with clutter, oversized furniture, and general disorganization. The smaller the room is, the more important that it’s free from clutter, junk, and knickknacks. Think minimalist look, aiming to keep your design simple with only a few accent pieces. Just one example is instead of creating a gallery wall, consider one piece of framed art that really makes a statement.