15 nifty designer tricks to instantly make small homes look bigger

Knock down a wall or replace with partitions

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"If you knock down a wall or two, you won't win much in the way of floor area per se, but the effect will be immediately expansive. Partition walls, which are simple spatial dividers, can be taken down with impunity. If you are in any doubt about which walls are structural and which are not, consult a surveyor, engineer or architect," says Elizabeth Wilhide, author of Small Spaces: Maximizing Limited Spaces.

photo: thelocalinnterior/instagram

Make sure the curtains go all the way up

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Mount the track to the ceiling and, if possible, from one corner to another. Let your drapes fall until they just about sweep the floor without pooling to give the most ideal illusion of height. 

photo: pixabay

Extend your living room to the balcony

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The secret to a larger living room could lie in integrating it with your balcony or planter space. Make it look seamless by using one colour palette.

photo: eightytwo

Opt for light-coloured carpentry

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"The colours of the carpentry works shouldn't be too dark coloured. Glossy laminate will be a better choice as it will further enhance the natural light reflection of the room," says Danielle Teo, senior designer from Rezt & Relax Interior. 

photo: reztnrelax/instagram

Go for floor-to-ceiling shelves

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Skip short shelving and cabinetry. According to Libby Langdon, author of Libby Langdon's Small Scale Solutions, "Using full-scale shelves and cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling visually draw the eye upward, making the ceiling seem higher and space larger." 

photo: pixabay

Keep the bathroom open and breezy

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"Overly compartmentalised rooms appear smaller, while open spaces create the illusion of size. To maintain an open view, trade in a traditional shower curtain for clear-glass doors. Continue the bath flooring into the shower to amplify the effect," says Samantha S.Thorpe of 100 Decorating Ideas: Big Style for Small Rooms.

photo: m3studiosingapore/instagram 

Consider sliding doors for bedrooms

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A sliding door is the perfect way of providing a tiny bedroom with the necessary intimacy and sense of seclusion but without the door taking up valuable floor space on opening," explains Sara Emslie, author of Beautifully Small: Style Solutions for Small Spaces.

photo: Cromly 

Float your sofa

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"Don't assume that all the furniture has to be pushed up against a wall, because that usually leaves an enormous open area in the middle of the room," says Libby. Placing your sofa a few feet away from the wall instantly gives the illusion of a more spacious living room.

photo: pexels

Multipurpose furniture is a must

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"In a small home, every piece of furniture needs to serve more than one purpose," says Libby. "Too much furniture not only hogs the space but also makes it look even smaller than it is." This low transformable table from Smootree doubles up as storage space and has a mechanism that brings the tabletop up for you to do work on. Nifty!

photo: smootree 

Mix and match materials

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Refrain from using all wood furniture. "It makes a room feel clunky and bottom heavy but by mixing in glass-topped tables with wood pieces you give your room a lighter, airier, and more open feel," explains Libby.

photo: distinctidentity/instagram

Don't be afraid of going large

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"It may sound counter-intuitive but a few oversized furnishings can make a smaller space appear larger, while too many small pieces can create a claustrophobic feeling," says Samantha. When it comes to buying a sofa, remember this tip from Kimberly: "It's preferable to choose an ample two-seat sofa rather than a small three-seat sofa. The slightly smaller sofa allows room for an end table." 

photo: freespaceintent/instagram

Install mirrors

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Capitalise on mirrors to "create larger and brighter space," says Mike Tan, designer and owner of furniture and home accessories store, Egg 3. Even better if the window is placed facing a window to reflect even more light!

photo: pixabay

Use side tables instead of a large coffee table

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Coffee tables can be clunky as they usually take up the centre of your living room. However, side tables are less conspicuous and easier to take care of.

photo: pixabay

Match draperies with the wall colour

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Samantha advises: "To make the boundaries of a room disappear, flank windows with draperies that match the hue of the walls."

photo: pixabay

Be generous with lights

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Libby says that "not lighting your space effectively makes it look smaller. Capitalising on natural light and bringing in artificial light is imperative." You can even add a chandelier, "which is large in proportion to the space it illuminates, [thus making] a dramatic statement," says Samantha.

photo: le_interi_design/instagram