This tactic is all about creating the optical illusion of a larger space. Reflecting more light and decorating a room in lighter hues will trick the eyes into believing a room is bigger and brighter. Cream colours and icy blues is a fabulous and trendy colour combination that can really convert a tiny interior into what feels like a bigger living space.

Painting walls in lighter colours will also reflect more light, making a space feel open and airy. If you paint your wall trim and moldings in an even lighter colour than your walls, the wall will appear further back in the space, making your room appear larger.

Always remember that dark colors absorb light and make a room feel smaller.

Maximize light using mirrors and glass to create even more reflections and softly bounce light around the space.

You can do this with furniture items that feature more mirror and glass accents, rather than solid wood or opaque colours.

Consider streamlining your window coverings, so they don't take over a room. Avoid bulky window coverings that hide away light!

Shorten any long-flowing curtains, so they don't pool on the floor, or try tying drapes back tightly, away from the windows.

Another trick is to create a vertical illusion with striped fabric in lighter colours. This will give a small space the illusion of higher ceilings.

The taller your couch, table, bed and other furnishings, the more floor space is opened up - this makes your place look that much bigger!

Then, use a bright-coloured rug across the floor of your living space. This technique will draw the viewer’s eye across the room, making the distance seem farther away than it actually is.

Add additional lighting for the night time and special occasions. This will add visual layers of ambiance, making the room feel more spacious.

Hang a chandelier. Suspending a light or chandelier in your room will give the room a feeling of grandeur, especially if it is clear or silver. Placing it closer to the ceiling will also draw the eyes upward, making the room feel taller. Using a floor lamp will give you a vertical illusion of a higher ceiling and provide more light as well. Taller table lamps with light-coloured shades will also make your room feel brighter and larger.

Design advice by:

Artem Gurikov, Design Consultant at Decorium.

artem@decorium.ca