Your 6-Step Guide to Bringing Spaciousness to Small Rooms

With the rise of higher density living, we have seen the size of apartments dramatically decrease. Interior designers have had to respond to Australia’s shrinking apartment sizes and develop some clever ways to save space and create deceptively larger rooms.

With a few interior design secrets, you too can easily open up your small spaces!

Tip #1 - Optical Illusions

Depending on the layout, pushing furniture against the walls may provide a small amount of space but you sacrifice a feeling of spaciousness in the process. Instead, let your furniture breathe by floating it away from the walls. You’ll create the illusion of a more relaxed and larger space with more open areas and room to move. 

Tip #2 - Lighten Up the Walls

Dark walls visually reduce a room’s size, making it feel cramped. On the other hand, lighter-coloured walls reflect more light, brightening up a room and making it feel more spacious and airy. If white walls feel too plain, try pale greys, creams, or an eggshell blue. 

Contrast Your Ceiling

Choose a darker colour for your ceiling to create a contrast and prevent your space from looking washed out. This will add depth to the room and enhance its sense of height by drawing the eyes upwards.

Tip #3 - Smart Storage and Multifunctional Design

Utilise elegant storage solutions like corner storage or floating shelves and couple this with multifunctional furniture. Replace your coffee table with a stylish wooden chest that can hold books, board games, or movies.

Couches with hollowed ottomans are another great option. They can be used as storage and they’re easily concealed under a counter. If you are looking at buying a new bed, invest in a frame with drawers for additional hidden storage. 

Tip #4 - Mirrors

Mirrors look attractive, they reflect natural light, and they provide one of the easiest ways to make a room look larger. Lean an oversized mirror against a wall or hang a number of smaller ones to create a feature wall. Placing mirrors opposite open doors, hallways and windows is particularly useful to make a space feel more expansive.

Tip #5 - Go Minimalist with Furniture

Big furniture might seem like an odd choice for a small space, but it’s much better than cluttering your room up with many small items. Choose an item of furniture to be the feature of a room and build your interior around it. 

Tip #6 - Lighting Makes a World of Difference

While You're At Home

Open up your curtains and blinds to let in natural light during the day. Natural light instantly makes a room feel more spacious and opening up your blinds also connects your room to the outside world.

While You Are Away

Automated curtains or blinds can allow you to program your window coverings to fill your home with natural light at the most effective time of day. You can keep the light (and the heat) out when you are not home so you can keep the place cool - giving the appearance of an airier, less congested space.

When night falls and natural light is no longer an option, avoid using harsh overhead lights, opting instead for gentle options such as well-placed lamps or dimmed area lighting.

Somfy manufactures a range of automated window coverings for interior and exterior spaces. Make every room larger with curtains and blinds that do the job for you. Learn more about Somfy home automation or visit your nearest retailer to shop for innovative motorised solutions.