Small room designs that make a big impact

Making a room seem bigger or creating a sense of cosiness is a cinch if you use the right colour schemes, living furniture and interior fittings wisely.

To make a room seem larger

Who hasn't lived in a house where at least one room could have done with more space? The good news is you can achieve exactly that, without resorting to costly extensions.

Colours and themes for the home

Generally speaking, lighter colours make a room look larger, while darker colours draw a room in. A clever way to make a room seem wider is by putting a darker colour on the far wall. Similarly, vertical stripes on walls will immediately give the impression that the ceiling is higher, while horizontal stripes make a room seem wider.

Pieces of furniture that complement your living

Choose clean-lined, low-fuss pieces that err towards the minimalist style rather than the ornate.

It's also a good idea to choose furniture that has legs, rather than something that sits directly on the floor.

Lighting themes and options

While relying on a single light source hanging from the middle of the ceiling will make a room seem smaller, if you install several downlights instead, you'll create lighting zones, which can create a sense of space. 

Cosy room styles

Having more than enough room to swing several cats can be a luxurious problem, but get your decor and layout wrong and you can wind up with a room that looks stark and uninviting.

Room colours

While darker hues can make a space seem smaller, that doesn't mean you should automatically paint a large room with the darkest colour you can find in the hope that it'll create a sense of cosiness. Instead, opt for a warm neutral colour for most of the walls and paint a single wall in a rich hue that has the same base tint as the neutral you've chosen. According to the experts, feature walls work best if you choose a wall that's as uncluttered as possible, so avoid those that already have architectural features like windows and doors.

Room lighting

Dot the room with a few table and standard lamps, which give off a subtle glow and, where possible, use them instead of the overhead variety.

Zones for the living area

If your room is large enough to take it, consider creating different spaces within the same four walls. An over-sized living room will look instantly cosier if you create two entertaining or relaxing areas simply by being canny with the way you configure your furniture and floor coverings. 

Contact an interior designer to discuss how you can create visual impact with a small room design: