11 tricks to make a small home appear bigger

Living in a small home can be tough. There seems to be stuff everywhere at all times, and if, like me, you live in a modern house with a grand total of two storage cupboards, things can start to get challenging. 

There are, however, a number of fairly easy ways you can trick the eye into thinking a room is bigger than it is, creating a feeling of space, and getting your clutter under control.

So here's 11 simple ways to make a small home appear bigger than it really is...

1. Trick the eye using paint 

There are lots of sneaky ways you can trick the eye into thinking a room is bigger than it really is. Painting your ceiling and skirting or base boards the same colour as the walls, will blur the edges, giving the illusion of more space. If you're feeling brave, wallpapering the ceiling will draw the eye up, and create a really cool little feature too!

2. Draw the eye wide 

Choose the biggest rug you can afford, one that fully extends under your furniture. This way your eye will be drawn wider, again creating an illusion of space.

3. Leave shelf space clear 

When styling with accessories, you don't need to fill all your space. Leaving some areas clear will create an airy feel, and prevent it looking cluttered. For example, don't fill every inch of a shelf. Leaving gaps will create what’s known as ‘negative space’. 

4. Keep furniture simple

Furniture such as sofas and cabinets on legs will enable you to see more of the floor, and give an illusion of space. It's also a good idea to stay away from 'bulky' large furniture that take up a lot of room. Instead choose a few simple pieces to free-up all important floor space.

 

5. De-clutter regularly
It's funny how quickly you can 'fill-up' a house, but do you really need all the stuff you've accumulated over the years? Regular clear-outs can enable you to use the space you have as effectively as possible. 

Ask yourself - would you buy that item now? If the answer is no, then it's got to go - being ruthless is essential! I've previously shared easy ways to declutter your home, and make sure to carry out a brutal spring clean once a year.

6. Give everything it's own space
Everything should have its own space - and I mean in a drawer/storage box/basket, and not 'on the floor' or (as my husband's car keys & wallet seems to favour) on top my carefully styled shoe cupboard in the hallway. 

This makes it so much easier to keep surfaces clear, again giving the impression of more space. Of course, it’s always nice to have some 'pretty' (and probably not-too-practical bits! on show too, but keep these simple and to a minimum. 

7. Go neutral
Maximising the light you have is a sure-fire way of tricking the eye into thinking a space is bigger than it really is. I've used light colours and a neutral scheme throughout my home, which has really transformed the space we have (just have a look at our lounge before and after its makeover for evidence of this!). You can always add a pop of colour into a room though your accessories. 

8. Let the light in

Heavy curtains make a room appear smaller, so opt for light and airy drapes which don’t block the natural light coming into a room - I've used sheer drapes in two of our bedrooms, or even better, how about some shutters? We’ve recently had some installed in our conservatory, however I’d have them all over the house if I could.  

9. Use mirrors to your advantage 
If, like us, natural light is a bit of an issue in your home, how about a well-placed mirror? Placing mirrors opposite windows will help to bounce light around a room. Not only that, but a mirror naturally creates the illusion of having more space - so get one up in every room!

10. Storage is key
Storage can be the most important thing to get right - too much clutter can make even a big room feel tiny. I blogged previously about space-saving storage in small homes, and the tricks I use to 'hide' things away within my house, but one of the easiest ways to maximise storage is to think about every last opportunity to create space. 

What about using pretty baskets to store bits under the bed/on top of wardrobes/in awkward un-used corners? Kitchen feeling cluttered? Why not use canisters and glass jars to store your dried food, freeing up valuable space and creating a mini-pantry in one of your cupboards? 

11. And make that storage work even harder
You can also 'double-up' on space within cupboards - we keep all our paperwork and documents in a filing cabinet hidden away in our coat cupboard by the front door, and even the TV stand also works as valuable toy storage. 

I also use drawer dividers to squeeze as many clothes as possible in each drawer, and storage boxes in that unused bit at the bottom of a wardrobe for shoes and seasonal items such as coats.

Hope this has given you some ideas on how to make your home feel more spacious. If you're looking for more small home tips my Beginners Guide to Living in a Small Home is here.

Do you live in a small home? What other tricks or tips do you use?

Thanks for reading,
Sam Xx