Are you charged with the task of decorating a small condo, apartment, or home? Bedrooms with hardly enough space for a bed, living rooms that double as office spaces, and tight kitchens that also serve as dining areas can all be extremely challenging to decorate and arrange, especially if you’re trying to mesh style and functionality.

Fortunately, with the help of these tips and tricks, you can learn how to make a small room look bigger while also incorporating stylish details and functional flare that makes your home inviting and comfortable.

Choose Colors that Make a Room Look Bigger

Natural tones like whites, tans, and light greys are all colors that make a room look bigger. Also, by choosing light, airy, and neutral colors, you can have more freedom and choices when it comes to incorporating different accents and design details.

While this color rule applies to most rooms in general, the key for smaller areas is to also focus on the trim and the ceiling. By incorporating trim, baseboards, window frames, and the ceiling into your color scheme, you can prevent them from standing out and drawing attention to how small the room actually is.

Though you don’t have to carry the same exact paint across all these surfaces, you should try to stick with different shades, of the prime color. For example, if you choose a light, creamy yellow for the main walls, pick a darker shade for accent areas.

Get Creative with Common Features

When you want to make a small room look bigger, you need to be creative with every aspect of the room. From the furniture you incorporate to the features include, every small detail can make a big difference when increasing the appearance of space.

In addition to including multi-purpose items and furniture that aids in creating a sense of space and movement, you should also go the extra mile in finding alternative, space-saving solutions for common features like windows and doors. Instead of hanging ordinary blinds over your windows, find light and airy floor-to-ceiling curtains to add height and depth to the room.

Instead of wasting space with traditional hinged doors, consider using a creative alternative like sliding barn doors. As an ideal option for a wide variety of different design styles, sliding barn doors don’t just aid in the functionality of a small room, but they can also add a ton of character and flair, while also serving as a statement piece for the space.

KISS: Keep it Simple, Silly!

Trying to make a small room look bigger can sometimes feel like shoving a square peg into a round hole, but when it really comes down to it, the biggest trick is one of the oldest in the books: less is more. Despite your best intentions, elements like large rugs, patterned drapes, and overstuffed throw pillows will only constrict the space. Instead, focus on incorporating simple, streamlined features like see-through furniture or furniture with exposed, raised legs or striped elements that add length and depth.

Additionally, choose a single, eye-catching piece for your space. By hanging a dramatic piece of art or bringing in a bold piece of furniture, you can create a captivating focal point that draws attention away from other features of the room that expose just how small the space really is.

By keeping in mind these three key tips, you can master the basic skills needed to make a small space feel open, spacious, and welcoming.