Small living spaces are not uncommon, and they’re not necessarily a bad thing. Most busy professionals prefer them because they’re easier to clean and organize. But there’s that cramped feeling you can’t shake off while inside a small space. Luckily, there are simple ways to make a cramped room look and feel bigger.
Something as simple as changing the color can make the room feel more spacious and airy. That’s because the human brain perceives colors differently. From the viewpoint of a person, a dark ceiling will appear lower. A ceiling painted with lighter colors, on the other hand, will look taller.
But make sure to keep the color palette consistent. And, avoid contrasting elements as much as possible. Contrasting elements can break up space and add to visual clutter.
However, if you need more room for creativity, you can paint horizontal stripes on your wall. These stripes make the walls look longer.
However, light hues alone aren’t enough. They’re only able to make a room feel more spacious because they reflect natural light. To enhance the illusion of a wider space, you’ll also need to increase the natural lighting in your home. You can do so by installing windows with a wider glass area.
If you’re looking for a bigger window, a bay window would be a good choice. More natural light can pass through a bay window’s three panels. And, since bay windows angle outside your home, they add extra space to the room.
If your window has blinds or has any other accessory, remove them. These only add visual clutter to a cramped room. Besides, you’ll need as much natural light in your room as possible.
A nice view can also help draw attention away from the limited space in a small room. If you want a window with a great view, we recommend sliding windows. They’re compact and easy to open, and have an expansive glass area.
In small spaces, minimalism is the best approach. However, if you want window treatments, use sheer fabrics in plain colors or simple designs. Mounting the sheer fabrics and drapes as close as possible to the ceiling makes the walls look taller than they are.
By strategically placing mirrors throughout the room, you can spread natural lighting evenly. You can hang a large mirror on the wall or place a smaller one on a coffee table. But remember, these additional design elements should blend in with the room’s color palette. At the very least, the mirror’s frame should match the wall’s color.
People will think a room is bigger if they can see more floor space. That’s why you should remove any furniture along the walkways.
If there’s a window along the walkway, we recommend replacing it with double hung windows. Double hung windows have a tilting mechanism that makes cleaning the panels easier. Instead of going outside to clean the glass panel, all you have to do is to tilt it.
It may seem counterintuitive, but placing bigger pieces of furniture can make the room look more spacious. Several smaller furniture pieces scattered throughout the room make it look cluttered. Just keep in mind that the furniture has to match the wider design scheme in the room.
You can also hire an interior designer to help you optimize the room’s layout. Or, you could ask a contractor about replacement windows that can maximize natural lighting.
One more thing: make sure to vet any contractor you plan to hire. That way, you’ll reduce the risk of costly installation errors.
Looking for a qualified contractor in your area? Renewal by Andersen® of Nashville offers a wide variety of replacement windows. To get a free estimate, call us at (866) 609-5033, or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Nashville and Murfreesboro, TN.
