7 Easy Tricks of the Eye: How to Make a Room Look Bigger

Everyone wants to know how to make a room look bigger. But you can’t make space appear out of thin air—so what do you do? First, you use some tricks. Second, you get more space. Did you know the right paint color can make your room feel larger? Or furniture placement can create an illusion of space and movement? Or mirrors can add depth to a small room? These are just a few of the “tricks of the eye” which can make your space seem bigger, taller or wider than it really is. Keep reading for the rest of our tips, and trust us, you’ll want these in your bag of tricks!

Ultimately, no matter how much organizing, decluttering or smart decorating you do, a little extra room can always come in handy. Store Space is here to help; while you transform your space, we’ll keep everything else out of the way.

Here Are Our Top 7 Tricks on How to Make to a Room Look Bigger:

1. Declutter
2. Colors That Make a Room Look Bigger
3. Lighting is Everything
4. Mirror, Mirror
5. Furniture Makes All the Difference
6. Think Vertical
7. Simple Design is Your Friend

1. Declutter

Decluttering is probably the most important step to make a space look bigger. When you’re decluttering, you want to go through everything in your space—your closet, drawers, kitchen cabinets, etc. As you’re looking at your belongings ask yourself the hard questions:

• When was the last time I used this?
• Do I need it?
• Could I buy it again?
• Does it Spark Joy?

If you haven’t used the item in the past year, chances are you won’t in the next year—so kick it to the curb. If you can’t definitively say you need it—you probably don’t, and if you wouldn’t buy it again—let it go!

Pro tip: We know it can be difficult to get rid of items that have sentimental value to you. Things you’re not ready to throw away or donate can be kept at Store Space! (More on that later.)

2. Colors That Make a Room Look Bigger

Paint colors make a difference. It’s well-known that lighter colors can make a room look bigger—that’s because white and neutral colors reflect natural light and therefore make the space seem larger than it is. It’s also a good idea to paint the walls and ceiling the same color to create an overflowing effect.

Remember, take into consideration where the windows are in the room, and whether or not there is a lot of natural light. There are times you may want to use darker colors to make your space seem larger.

Pro tip: Check out this blog for paint color ideas!

3. Lighting is Everything

Lighting really is everything when you’re contemplating how to make a room look bigger. First off, windows and natural light automatically make your space seem, well, more spacious. With that being said, don’t block it. Don’t use heavy curtains, bulky wall partitions, or screens to hide the natural light. (There is one exception—no one wants to sleep in a bright room, so go ahead and use curtains or drapes in bedrooms!)

A dark room can seem cramped, but a bright room will appear bigger. So, don’t use only one light fixture (that creates dark corners). Try using recessed lighting, backlighting or mirrors to brighten up your space.  (We’ll get to mirrors next.)

Pro tip: Click here for more lighting tips on how to make a room look bigger!

4. Mirror, Mirror

When considering how to make a room look bigger you can’t forget mirrors. Mirrors are one of the trickiest tips on this list. They can be used anywhere, and they do wonders to make a small room seem bigger than it is. By reflecting light and creating depth, mirrors are a great tool to use in your space.

Pro tip: From fake windows to reflective walls, the opportunities for mirrors are endless. So, here are a few more suggestions about how to use mirrors to enlarge your space!

5. Furniture Makes All the Difference

Of course, the furniture you put in your space can affect how big or small it seems. So, it’s a good idea to use a simple design with furnishings and decorations—you don’t want it to feel cluttered! Furniture with exposed legs can create a sense of openness and movement above and under your furnishings. Don’t be tempted to push all furniture against the walls, instead, let it “float” in the middle of your space. Pushing furniture to the edge of the room can disrupt the flow, and leave an empty space in the middle of the room.

You should also utilize multifunctional furniture. Who would’ve thought an ottoman could be used for storage? Or a table could double as a desk? Or a chair could be converted into a bed? Get creative with your furniture and see just how sneaky you can be.

Pro tip: Here are more ways to arrange your furniture to make your room seem bigger. Plus, check out some awesome multi-functional furniture here.

6. Think Vertical

Vertical thinking is a common idea, especially when trying to create space in a small room. But thinking vertical also fools the eye. When you have floor to ceiling storage, vertical paneling, stripes or even a tall, skinny mirror, it forces the eyes to look upwards and therefore makes a space seem taller and larger.

Floating shelves, a tall headboard, custom cabinets, or even mirrors can help emphasize a room’s height and make your space feel larger.

Pro tip: Here are a few tips to make the most of your vertical space.

7. Simple Design is Your Friend

A sleek, simple design always makes a room look bigger. When you have too much furniture for a small space, it feels cramped and crowded, which actually makes the area feel smaller. With only a few pieces of furniture and décor, your room can feel more open and spacious.

Less is more—it doesn’t get any trickier than that.

Bonus: Store Space Self Storage

Are you worried that even with our tips and tricks on how to make a room look bigger, you still have too much stuff for your space? Well, you’ve come to the right place—storage is our claim to fame.

If you need space for seasonal storage, or a safe spot to keep anything you don’t have room for but don’t want to get rid of—we have just the place.

Store Space offers secure storage solutions so you can focus on making your room look bigger with tricks, rather than worrying about where to fit all your stuff! 

FAQs: How to Make a Room Look Bigger

Q: How can I make my room look bigger?

A: To make your room look bigger you should declutter, choose the right colors, create good lighting, use mirrors and be mindful about your furniture. This blog is full of great ideas to make your room seem more spacious.

Q: Does gray make a room look bigger?

A: A cool gray color can make a room look bigger. It has similar effects to stark white paint—brightening up a room by reflecting light. Read the section “Colors That Make a Room Look Bigger” in this blog for more tips on paint colors!

Q: How can I make my room look bigger for free?

A: Trying to make your room look bigger can be overwhelming—especially when you think your only option is to go out and buy new furniture or décor. But there are several things you can do to make your space feel bigger without breaking the bank. Try rearranging the furniture, moving mirrors, making sure the room is well-lit, and keeping your space free of clutter.

Q: How do you make a small living room look spacious?

A: You can use many of the tips above to make a living room look more spacious. It’s important to pick a paint color that reflects light and makes the room look larger, use mirrors, declutter, be mindful about your furniture, and use self-storage!

Wrapping Up: How to Make a Room Look Bigger

We hope these tricks of the eye have helped you make your room look bigger. Here is a refresh of our top 7 tips:

1. Declutter

2. Colors That Make a Room Look Bigger

3. Lighting is Everything

4. Mirror, Mirror

5. Furniture Makes All the Difference

6. Think Vertical

7. Simple Design is your friend

If you’ve followed our suggestions, but still need more space, we’ve got you covered. Just find your nearest Store Space facility with our storage finder. Or check out our blog How to Maximize Space in a Small Apartment: 7 Valuable Tips for even more ideas on how to make the most of your small room.

We’re here to help you transform your space!