Easy paint hack for 'brighter and airier' rooms that don't feel 'cold and clinical'
Households are being urged to not make one an important decorating mistake that makes rooms feel smaller.
With people competing for properties and squeezed for space, many people would love to have more space at home.
Optimising space has never been more of a challenge. Statista reports that the average size of living rooms in the UK has steadily shrunk since the 1970s, meaning that homeowners appear to have less space to play with than before.
That leaves homeowners with a problem to solve - how do you make a space feel bigger than it is?
Handily, Tristan Lynch, CEO of home furniture retailer, Roseland Furniture, has shared several tips for decorating and arranging furniture to make the rooms in your home feel bigger.
For a space to feel larger, the expert warns homeowners against painting with more than one colour. The colour that's "optimal" for making a room appear bigger is white, Tristan says, as it's more reflective than other colours.
He explains: "Using one colour to paint a room, specifically light colours, can help to make it feel brighter and airier."
"Painting both the walls and ceiling white helps blur the room's boundaries, giving it a larger appearance."
To offset the room from looking "too cold and clinical", he suggests opting for wood furniture and textured accessories, such as rugs and cushions, to make the room feel warmer and add character.
You can also add colourful, exciting accessories, such as vases, artwork, or plants, to create a more personalised, fun space.
Tristan adds: "Furnishing a small space can be difficult as you may have design ideas that don't align with the limited space in your home.
"Using and accentuating natural light in a room can make a huge difference. Light, airy rooms can feel bigger than they are while creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere.
"Studies suggest that clutter can make it hard to focus and complete tasks, so creating a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and organised will create an overall calmer and more enjoyable space to live in."
Read on for some more tips from Tristan.
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Consider functional storage options
Small rooms can look cramped and too busy if you have a lot of your belongings lying around. Choosing furniture that is also functional can save you a lot of space in a small room.
Consider investing in ottoman furniture, which can be used to store your belongings while doubling up as a footrest or an extra seat for guests. If you have a small bedroom with limited storage space, an ottoman bed can offer a great deal of storage space, allowing you to store things away that you do not use on a regular basis.
Aim to optimise spaces in your home that can be used as storage. For example, shelves can be installed in an alcove in a hallway or living room to store and display books, vases, and other belongings you can't find space for.
Keep it simple
When making a small room appear bigger, the trick is keeping it simple to avoid cluttering and overwhelming the small space.
Avoid knickknacks and too many decorative pieces. Instead, focus on one feature piece of art on one wall. If you want to use wallpaper, apply it to just one wall, and avoid overwhelming patterns and too many colours, as this can make the room feel cluttered and busy.
When choosing furniture, avoid sofas and chairs made of dark, heavy fabrics such as velvet and opt for light tones with a natural-looking finish, such as linen. The trick with furniture is to make sure the sofa or chair legs are showing, as this gives the illusion of space and a sense of airiness.
Make use of mirrors and reflective surfaces
Using reflective surfaces such as mirrors can make a room appear bigger than it is. Try placing a mirror opposite a window or near where it directly reflects the view from the window.
By reflecting more light into the space, you bring the outside in and brighten up the space, giving the illusion of a bigger, more open room.
Placing a floor mirror against a wall expands a space and reflects much more light. Don't be afraid to go big with mirrors, even in a small room.
If you do not want to use mirrors, reflective furniture, such as a mirrored coffee table, can be a great way to bounce more light into a room, especially when placed where sunlight can directly hit it.
Make use of natural lighting
Natural lighting is the best way to make a room feel bigger than it is. Avoid curtains and Roman-style blinds; opt for a wooden Venetian blind or sheer blinds that will offer privacy while letting the natural light in.
Lamps are a sure way of creating an atmosphere and providing areas of light where it's needed the most. Try fitting wall lights that produce light both above and below to make your walls seem taller than they are.
