8 tips and tricks to make your tiny apartment seem larger

Living in a small space can be tough. The good news is, there are a lot of tricks you can use to make a tight living area look and feel more spacious. We’ve got eight genius strategies you can use to help you transform your small space into something cozy and comfortable. Do you want to expand the look of one room in particular? Or are you paying a fortune to rent a tiny cramped apartment in the big city? No matter what tiny-room problem you need to solve, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to transform your studio apartment into a palace (or something close to it). Here’s how to make a small room look bigger.

HANG PLENTY OF MIRRORS

Interior designers everywhere know you can hang mirrors on the wall to make it look like you have more space. And this is arguably the most effective method for how to make a small room look bigger. You want to make sure that you have a well-lit room and that you place your mirrors strategically. Above the dresser is a popular spot, or even in front of windows for natural light. Mirrors can create an illusion of more space by making it seem like the space you do have stretches on infinitely. Mirrors come in all kinds of cool shapes now too, so there’s no need to sacrifice your personal style in getting this job done.

PAINT THE WALLS LIGHT OR BRIGHT COLORS

Paint your walls a light color to make everything seem brighter and bigger. You can also paint the ceiling white if possible for an added effect. Try to get rid of any dark colors as they tend to make spaces seem smaller.

If you paint your walls with light colors, they’ll lend the room more of an airy atmosphere. They’ll also reflect more natural light, which will make the space seem larger and more inviting.

GET FURNITURE THAT NESTS

Use furniture pieces that you can move around easily, such as nesting tables and chairs. That way, you can store them away when not in use, creating more actual space. Nesting tables and chairs are great for quick storage because of their small size. Ikea is popular for its furniture pieces that are ideal for small spaces. For example, they make a great stack of nesting tables.

You can also replace heavy furniture with lighter pieces that take up less room in small spaces. These items are good for people who live in a studio apartment or even have a professional office space, because they allow maximization of the available space.

ADD PLANTS

Adding some plants to your apartment is a great idea. Not only will they improve the look and feel of your space, but they’ll increase the oxygen in the air too. Plants help improve air quality and make it feel like you have more natural light coming into the room. This natural light makes the space feel larger.

Succulents are a great option for those looking to keep plants in their living space but worry about the time and effort required to take care of them. You can “overwater” these plants without killing them, which makes them easy to maintain even if you’re busy or forgetful. There is less risk when dealing with succulents than there is with other house plants such as cacti or bonsai trees. And they come in a variety of bright colors that are fun for adding some color to your space.

If you have no experience with houseplants, check out our guide to houseplants for beginners.

HANG CURTAINS HIGH UP BY THE CEILING

Another trick interior designers use is to hang curtains near the ceiling. Instead of putting the curtain rod right at the top of the window, put it just a few inches below the ceiling.

And don’t forget about the color. White curtains allow more natural daylight to enter into the room while dark curtains create an intimate feel in smaller spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms. You can also try curtains with a modern twist like these breezy cotton window panels from Urban Outfitters.

GET A PET

Consider getting a pet if you don’t already have one (and if your lease allows it). This isn’t the most obvious method for how to make a small room seem bigger, but it’s more about your mood than the space itself. Pets can provide company when you’re home alone, give you something to care for, and make it seem like there’s someone else living with you in your small space. Take a visit to a local humane society and see if you bond with any of the animals.

If pets aren’t an option, hang pictures of family and friends throughout your home. Hang pictures on the wall that are close to eye level for an instant visual and sentimental boost.

ADD FURNITURE WITH LOW BACKS

Adding furniture with low backs like armchairs, loveseats, etc., can make any room seem larger and more inviting. These pieces also provide a sense of comfort by allowing the user to recline against them while listening to music or reading a good book. Wayfair offers a great convertible chair with a low back that can also turn into a bed.

Adding these types of items will give you that feeling of being enveloped in something when you’re in the space, which makes it feel really nice for those who enjoy lounging around the house in their free time, or just relaxing after a long day at work.

GET RID OF CLUTTER

If you’re asking how to make a small room look bigger but you haven’t tidied it up yet, do that right now. Get rid of any clutter around the house. Gather old clothes, shoes and books that you don’t need or want anymore. Instead of throwing them in the dumpster, consider donating them. Pick up any items that are on the ground and put them in a cabinet or closet. This will not only free up floor space, but will also cut down on clutter and messiness.