When space is tight, it’s easy to assume the only solution to make a small room look bigger is to knock through a wall or start planning an extension.
But with a few smart design decisions, you can make even the smallest room feel bigger and more open – no construction required.
Whether it’s a snug living room, a compact bedroom, or a multifunctional home office, incorporating some thoughtful interior decorating ideas can dramatically change the way a space feels and functions.
To help you with the challenge of designing for smaller spaces, we’ve called on the expertise of our senior designer, Leanne, who brings years of experience in helping clients maximise every inch of their homes.
Throughout this blog, she’ll share her top tips on how to make a small room look bigger (without having to pick up a sledgehammer).
Start with a clear purpose
Before we begin, it’s always important to consider what role your space plays. Every room needs a job – especially a small one.
So, before jumping headfirst into picking colours, furniture, or considering the layout, take a step back and think about how you’ll use the space day to day.
Is it a spot for reading and winding down, a work-from-home hub, or a multifunctional room that needs to be flexible for the whole family?
Defining your space’s purpose early helps shape the decisions that follow. It ensures everything in the room earns its place and contributes to how the space feels and functions. It will also help reduce any visual clutter (which is one of the quickest ways to make a small space feel calmer and more intentional).
This starting point underpins many successful approaches to interior design for smaller rooms. When a space is led by function, the style can follow more naturally.
1. Colour drenching: One shade, big impact
Using one colour across the walls, ceiling and woodwork might seem bold, but it’s a clever way to open up a small space. Known as colour drenching, this technique helps the eye move seamlessly around the room, removing visual breaks and creating a feeling of calm continuity.
Leanne explains: “Using one colour across walls, woodwork, and even the ceiling helps the eye flow uninterrupted around the space. With no visual breaks, the room feels more expansive and seamless.”
Soft, warm neutrals work particularly well for this, but don’t be afraid of deeper tones if the lighting is right – moodier colours can add depth and character without making a space feel closed in.
Colour drenching is one of the most effective interior design tips for small rooms, and a great starting point when you want to make your home feel more cohesive.
2. Letting in the light
Light plays a huge role in how spacious a room feels.
Wherever possible, avoid blocking windows and allow natural light to do the heavy lifting in making a space look bigger. Light, sheer curtains can provide privacy without sacrificing brightness.
Leanne says: “Maximise natural light by using sheer curtains or keeping windows unobstructed. Mirrors or reflective surfaces also bounce light around the room, creating the illusion of depth.”
If you’re thinking about how to decorate a small space, consider light placement alongside window dressings and reflective materials. Together, they can transform the feel of a room without changing anything structurally.
3. Consistency underfoot
Continuity isn’t just about wall colour; it applies to flooring, too. If your space connects to others via a hallway or adjoining room, using the same flooring throughout can create a more cohesive feel and remove visual boundaries.
“Continuity is key,” says Leanne. “Using the same flooring like hardwood, polished concrete, or LVT, across multiple rooms, removes visual boundaries, making the entire space feel larger and more cohesive.”
This is particularly effective in smaller or open-plan homes where you want to enhance the sense of connection between spaces.
Flooring choices often get overlooked in interior decorating ideas for small rooms, but keeping consistency underfoot can be just as important as what’s on the walls.
4. Scale and flexibility
In smaller rooms, getting your choice of furniture right makes a big difference. Going too large can overwhelm the space, but undersized pieces can actually make it feel more cluttered, not less.
It’s about finding balance and selecting pieces that suit both the size and function of the room.
Leanne says: “Choose appropriately sized furniture – too big and the room feels cramped; too small and it looks cluttered. Opt for multi-functional pieces like ottomans with storage or fold-out desks.”
Furniture with slim profiles, raised legs, and integrated storage can help maintain a light and open feel.
If you’re wondering how to make a small bedroom look bigger or struggling with small living room ideas, scale is key. A well-proportioned layout can dramatically shift how usable and inviting the room feels.
5. Keep it clutter-free
Clutter can quickly make a small room feel even smaller. A tidy layout with minimal surface clutter goes a long way toward making your space feel more open and intentional.
Try to avoid overcrowding furniture and keep everyday items tucked away. “A tidy space always feels bigger,” says Leanne.
Focus on curating what stays out in view and making sure everything has a designated place.
6. Maximise vertical storage
When floor space is limited, think upwards.
Vertical storage solutions like wall-mounted shelving, tall built-ins, and hanging organisers make use of underutilised space while drawing the eye higher, which can make the room feel taller.
Leanne explains: “Use vertical storage, drawing the eye upwards, built-ins, or hidden compartments to keep surfaces clear.”
Smart vertical design doesn’t just help with storage – it visually elongates the room and brings balance to compact spaces.Streamlined surfaces and intentional organisation can help your space feel more open and calming.
7. Use rugs strategically
When it comes to styling, fewer larger pieces often work better than lots of small ones.
A generously sized area rug, for example, can help define a space and make it feel anchored.Whereas several smaller rugs can visually break up the room.
Leanne adds:“A large-area rug (even in a small room) helps define the space and makes it feel more expansive than several small rugs which breaks up the space.”
This simple styling decision helps tie a room together visually, creating a sense of scale and cohesion.
8. Keep the palette cohesive
Consistency in your colour palette can have a huge impact on how unified and open a room feels. Using tones that complement each other allows the space to breathe and stops it from feeling disjointed.
“Using similar tones throughout the room helps unify the space and prevents it from feeling chopped up,” says Leanne.
Whether it’s through your walls, furnishings or accessories, sticking to a cohesive palette supports that seamless, thoughtfully styled finish.
It helps the space feel balanced and intentional, making it easier on the eye and more enjoyable to spend time in.
Common mistakes to avoid when designing a small room
We’ve already covered a range of smart design strategies for small rooms, but if you’re skimming, here’s a quick round-up of what to watch out for.
These common mistakes often undo even the best styling efforts:
- • Over-furnishing the room: Too many pieces can crowd a space quickly. Stick to the essentials and choose furniture that earns its place.
- • Choosing pieces that are too small: Smaller isn’t always better. Undersized furniture can make the room feel cluttered rather than spacious.
- • Neglecting lighting layers: Lighting has a huge impact on atmosphere and depth. Use multiple sources to create flexibility and warmth.
- • Ignoring continuity in flooring and palette: Disjointed finishes and clashing tones can make a room feel smaller. Go for visual cohesion wherever possible.
- • Letting clutter creep in: Surfaces piled high? Storage not quite cutting it? Hidden or vertical storage is your best friend.
- • Relying on white walls alone: Colour, when used thoughtfully, can open up a space far more effectively than flat white paint.
Avoiding these issues will help you get the most out of the tips shared above and ensure your small space feels considered, balanced, and calm.
A few more things to keep in mind
If you’re still looking for more interior design ideas for small rooms, here are a few bonus pointers:
- Use wall-mounted lighting instead of floor lamps to free up surface space.
- Keep sightlines clear. Don’t place tall furniture near doorways.
- Paint skirting boards and radiators in the same colour as the wall to prevent visual interruption.
Each of these techniques supports the broader goal of maximising space in small homes without relying on building work or major renovations.
A spacious feel, without the building work
It doesn’t take a renovation to rethink how a room works.
With the right colour choices, layout decisions, and interior design tips, small spaces can feel anything but restrictive.
If you’re planning a home project – big or small – it’s worth thinking about how you want your space to feel, not just how you want it to look.
Our free renovation guide can help you get started, or if you’re ready to talk through your plans, you can book a call with the team today.
When it comes to making a small room look bigger, it’s not about doing more, it’s about doing things differently!