Some people claim that the kitchen is the heart of the home; however, we believe that the living room takes that role. It’s where you go to relax, have movie nights, and entertain guests. It’s the perfect place for a mid-day nap, late-night study session, or kids’ slumber party. The living room is by far the most versatile room in the home and is often the most used as well. That’s why creating a welcoming and comfortable space is so important.
If you are working within a limited amount of square footage, you may be wondering how to make your living room look bigger. While you evidentially can’t do anything to change the physical size of your space without some serious remodeling, there are plenty of design hacks you can use to make a small living room look bigger.
Here are our top 6 tips for how to make a living room look bigger and brighter.
Tip #1: Use the Right Furniture
If you’ve just moved to a new home with a smaller living room than your previous one, you may want to keep the same furniture. While this makes perfect sense, squeezing in furniture that is too large for the space will cause your room to feel crowded and small. However, this doesn’t mean filling your space with a bunch of small pieces of furniture is the solution.
Pick furniture that is low to the ground and has a sleek look to avoid adding bulk to the room. To create the illusion of a bigger space, don’t let your furniture brush up against the wall whenever possible and try matching the color of your furniture to the color of your walls.
Tip #2: Use Light Colours and a Cohesive Palette
Nothing brightens up a room more than white walls. To brighten up your space even more, consider painting the ceiling and the walls trim white as well to further expand the room.
If white isn’t your thing, you may be wondering what colors make a living room look bigger. Any color can work as long as you stick to a cohesive color palette. Mixing too many colors and patterns will break up the room and cause it to feel smaller. Light, pale colours will add the most brightness to a room, which will create the illusion of a bigger room.
Tip #3: Get Rid of Clutter
Filling your space will furniture, knickknacks, and accessories will make the room appear smaller and more cluttered. Alternatively, keeping your space minimal and straightforward will make it feel more open. This doesn’t mean getting rid of everything that makes your house a home but instead being intentional with what you place in the room.
When working with a small space, every piece should serve a purpose. For example, if you don’t have much space between your couch and your wall-mounted TV, place a sideboard under the TV and ditch the coffee table to create more space to move around the room. Ensuring your room has plenty of storage is another great way to reduce clutter while still having everything you need in the room.
Tip #4: Bring the Eye Upwards
To bring height into your small space, focus on drawing the eye upwards to create the illusion that there is more room between the floor and the ceiling. This could mean hanging a piece of art high on the wall or getting a wall-mounted TV. Another great way to utilize this trick is by hanging your curtain rod above the window, instead of in line with the top of the window. This trick works especially well if your furniture is low to the ground, as we talked about in tip #1.
Tip #5: Use Mirrors as Decor
Mirrors are a great way to trick people into thinking your space is bigger than it really is. Mirrors will reflect light, making your room look brighter. To get the best illusion from your mirrors, hang them across from your windows to reflect the natural light. Putting a mirror in the corner of the room can also help give the illusion of an expanded room.
Tip #6: Be Mindful of Your Fabrics and Textiles
Rugs, pillows, and throw blankets are a great way of cozying up a room without taking up much space. This is where you can play with bolder colors and materials. Warm fabrics such as sheepskin, leather, and velvet can add depth to your room while still keeping it minimal and open. Just make sure the fabrics and textiles you choose match your color palette, as we talked about in tip #2.
Bonus Tips for The Perfect Living Room
Having the perfect living room goes beyond just how the room looks. What’s really important is how the room makes you feel. Your living room could have the most stylish furniture and be laid out perfectly, but if it doesn’t feel good, you won’t want to spend any time in there. Here are our top two items that make a great addition to living rooms for the perfect cozy and fresh vibe.
Make it Warm
Furniture, textiles, and colors can certainly help make your living room feel warm and cozy, but if the room isn’t actually warm, you won’t want to spend time in there. The best living room heaters will ensure your living room is always nice and toasty without taking up too much space. There are plenty of amazing options on the market for heaters for small rooms.
Keep the Air Fresh
Now that you’ve freshened up your space with colors and the right furniture, you want the air to feel light and fresh too. Using a humidifier, diffuser, or air purifier is a great way to create a healthier living environment. A diffuser is great for adding a fresh scent to your space, while an air purifier will keep the air fresh. If you have a pet and find it hard to get rid of their scent in your living room, check out our pet odor eliminator reviews.
