Simplifying small spaces to make them appear larger

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Published Date 9/14/2021

The small space conundrum is nothing new, but it’s always there — in nearly every home somewhere. If you have a room that feels minuscule, there may not be a way to increase the room in physical size, but there are definitely ways to make it FEEL larger while maintaining cozy and charming.

When watching reality show TV hosts walk through a house about to be renovated, it’s interesting how the owners complain about the lack of space throughout their house when there are mountains of clutter and rooms are used for 2-3 different purposes. But curbing the clutter is just one of the ways to be proactive in making your home look and feel bigger. In fact, experts are seeing homeowners and renters prioritizing this now more than ever, as explained by Realtor’s Anayat Durani. She quotes design expert Eilyn Jimenez, who understands when homeowners are at their wits’ end and need a change: “People are more dedicated and interested in ensuring that every space in a home is functional. I am seeing a more ‘quality over quantity’ attitude with homeowners when it comes to their spaces.”

Durani lists some common mistakes to avoid that might be cramping your (home) style. The first are dark colors. “They draw the eye inward, making a small space seem confined,” says San Diego-based staging and design expert Pramiti Bhargava, who says the idea is to trick the eye into making your rooms look bigger and wider by painting all walls neutral, light, or earthy tones so they seamlessly blend and look as spacious as possible.

Another culprit is bulky furniture. Sell the old sofa on Craigslist and buy one that is size-appropriate. The big stuff can make a space feel overwhelmed. Durani quotes another expert, who says. “A common mistake people often make while decorating is cramming too many pieces of furniture into a small room. Small spaces need to perform multiple functions, like sleeping, lounging, working, and dining, but adding a piece of furniture for each task can quickly overwhelm a room and make it feel much smaller than it actually is.” And if that furniture is dark? Double whammy.

The key here is to keep it all light and simple, allowing enough space between furniture pieces so you and your guests can move about comfortably. How many homes have you been in that have rooms that double as a museum? Even though a gallery wall can close down a small room, especially if it has low ceilings. Interestingly enough, even though it takes up more floor space, adding a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf can make the room appear bigger and create extra storage for all your favorite prints and photographs.

As for color, let’s get logical. Expressing yourself by going crazy with color and patterns can make any space seem even smaller. But fret not. While it’s important to have soothing and neutral colors to make small spaces seem bigger, you need not sacrifice all color. Experts suggest incorporating colors and patterns sparingly if you want the room to feel more spacious.

Now look down. In this small room accented with a bright or patterned rug? Simpler, solid colored rugs offer a visual feel of spaciousness in a room, where busy ones tend to close it down. If, however, you can’t part with that rug, go simpler and neutral with artwork, furniture, or other elements within the room. Think of it as you would dressing yourself, especially if you are a female. Dangly earrings? Then eliminate the ornate necklace. Less is more. Placing multiple rugs of various sizes and floor runners in a room is like dressing yourself in a patchwork quilt.

Bottom line: the more streamlined and light the color, patterns, and items, the larger your small room will feel.

Realtor, TBWS

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