16 Ways to Make a Small Room Look Bigger

Whether you’re dealing with a small dorm room or helping your teen decorate a cozy room in your house, a small space doesn’t have to stifle big ideas. If you’re wondering how to make a small room look bigger, check out these design ideas that any teen will love. 

Let’s start with the biggest items, the furniture! Follow these tips for how to choose furniture that blends seamlessly into your teen’s space while maximizing every square foot.

1. Keep Furniture Close to the Ground

By keeping furniture low, you leave plenty of open space on the walls above. The open space will draw the eye up and make your small room look bigger.

2. Pick a Slender Bed Frame

The bed is the focal point of a bedroom and it also takes up the most space. A slender bed frame can be pushed up against the wall and will save you a few precious inches. Consider a bed frame with a low footboard so the bed isn’t closed off or even a platform bed with no headboard or footboard. Similarly, if furnishing a living room look for elevated furniture to give the illusion of more space.

3. Choose Pieces with Thin Legs

Avoid blockiness in your furniture choices and opt for pieces with thin legs. For example, a blocky desk will take up space and make the space look small. Try the Blaire Desk for a modern and sleek look or the Chelsea Small Space Desk for a more classic feel.

4. Don’t Crowd the Room

Packing a small room full of big furniture is a surefire way to make it seem cramped. Choose each piece carefully and keep in mind what your teen actually needs and uses. Have a teen that likes to socialize? Go for seating! Does your teen care more about clothes? Prioritize a dresser or armoire.

5. Try Transparency

Try out acrylic furniture like these nesting tables. Acrylic is a transparent material and  anything made from it will blend seamlessly into its surroundings. Use it to store bedside essentials or as a surface for decorative plants. You can’t hide much thanks to the transparency of the material, so it will also hold your teen accountable for cleaning up clutter.

6. Utilize Vertical Space

Small rooms often lack storage space. Take advantage of vertical space and control clutter with wall mounted organizers and hooks. Display your teen’s favorite items like jewelry, hats or bags for a personal touch.

7. Add a Mirror

Mirrors create the illusion of a bigger space. Add a long vertical one to occupy limited wall space or try a large horizontal mirror to reflect light and mimic the effect of a window. Windows tend to make a small room look bigger and brighter.

8. Use Patterns Wisely

Stripes can draw the eye and add width or height. Try striped bedding, curtains or different rug sizes to make a room look bigger.

9. Keep Clutter Out of Sight

When designing a small room, it’s important to be intentional with your space and invest in small space storage that is functional and beautiful. Woven bins and baskets help corral clutter, but are also pleasing to the eye.

10. Mount your Lights

Lights that are fixed to the ceiling or mounted on the wall free up more floor space in a small room. Pick an attention grabbing light fixture like this Teardrop Flushmount, and all eyes will be drawn upward.

11. Go for Sleek Shelving

Shelves are another great way to take advantage of vertical space. Pick sleek shelving that looks like it’s floating when mounted to the wall. Asymmetrically placed floating shelves will provide extra storage while still making the wall space seem open. Try out this No Nails Photo Rail if your teen loves displaying pictures but constantly rearranges.

12. Play with Texture

Texture adds depth and dimension to any room. Play around with textured accents on bedding like fringe or faux fur! Teens love the sherpa texture and poms on this pillow and matching throw.

13. Draw Attention to Windows

When picking window treatments for a small room, a good tip is to make sure they are a light color or material. If your teen prefers curtains, steer them toward a light linen or other sheer fabric to enhance any light and keep the window feeling open. Or try a light colored Roman shade that blocks light at night and makes the most of a window’s brightening effect during the day.

14. Make a Bold Statement With Shapes

Wall lights in fun shapes or sayings are a simple way to make a bold statement. They are the perfect thing to fill empty wall space and look great as a standalone piece.

15. Go for Light Colored Walls

Paint your teen’s walls with bright neutrals or a muted shade of their favorite color.  Pale greens and blues offer a calming effect, and blush is always popular for a romantic look. Neutrals, of course, go with anything! Check out these paint colors that perfectly match our latest collections.

16. Make it Monochrome

If your teen prefers simplicity, try a monochromatic color palette. Incorporating varying shades of one color creates seamless transitions between one area and another, making the room feel like one big, cohesive space. Neutrals are common to use for monochromatic looks, but don’t be afraid to encourage a bolder choice. The interplay of light and dark shades from one color palette will add novelty and dimension.

When designing a small room, the key is to avoid bulkiness and clutter while enhancing light and space. With thoughtful planning and these design ideas, you can help your teen make their small room look bigger.

Need more inspiration? Check out these small space solutions for making the most of your teen’s room.