Easy Decoration Ideas to Make Your Small Room Look Larger

Whether you’re enjoying urban living in a small apartment, or you just happen to have a small bedroom, many people are in search of decoration tips to make a small space look and feel bigger.  Effective decoration techniques can transform your space and make you feel like you have more room – without having to completely redecorate or tear down any walls.

One of the first things you should do if you live in a small space is clear out the clutter.  Clutter can make a small room look even smaller by focusing your attention on the details, so it’s important to organize, store, and clean up as much as possible.  Follow the same rule with your room that you’d use with clothing – if you haven’t used or worn it in a year – get rid of it.  Some people try to ‘double up’ and use half their bedroom as the office, or half their office as a kiddies den.  Bad move!  By sectioning off the space, you’re making it look much smaller.  If you can afford to, dedicate each room to one purpose alone. 

Another bad decorating move is to fill the room with furniture that does not match.  It is easy to let this happen over the years without meaning to, as you gradually acquire furniture from many different shops.  Take a look around a room which you feel looks small or claustrophobic.  Do all the major pieces of furniture match?  Are the nightstands the same color wood as the bed?  Is the wardrobe while while all your other furniture is black?  This is an easy fix if you have some cash to spend to buy new matching sets – if not, be prepared to put in a little elbow-grease and sand, paint or stain everything in each room the same color.  This will create the illusion of size, if everything in the room matches. 

Color also plays a key role in decoration techniques for smaller rooms.  In order to make a small room look bigger, you should choose a monochromatic color scheme.  Match the draperies and the walls in order to create the illusion of more space.  It’s also a good idea to coordinate wall and furniture colors as an added way to create the illusion of space.  Add a splash of color with a potted plant or bright drapes to draw your attention to the most important parts of the room. 

Reflective surfaces, like mirrors, are great decoration ideas for smaller spaces.  A large framed mirror will instantly add the illusion of space to a small room, and if you get a big enough mirror it can feel like the room has doubled in size.  It’s also a good idea to use sheer fabrics for curtains and try to keep all tabletops, dressers and nightstands clear of clutter if possible.  

Another great decoration idea for small spaces is to look for ways to let more light in.  A dark room always looks smaller, so decoration with natural or artificial light will instantly add space to your room.  Adding extra lamps or keeping curtains open and tied back can make your small space feel larger.  Living in small space isn’t a bad thing, and there are many creative ways to create the illusion of space to make your place more comfortable.  And now’s a good time to begin!