The Wardrobe Stylist

Your room is small and you’re desperately trying to make it appear bigger but afraid it will turn sterile. Just because you want it to be bigger it doesn’t mean it will look like a lab. While smaller rooms in your home can be cozy and intimate spaces, they can also feel cramped or frustratingly overcrowded.

Small Bedroom Ideas to Enlarge The Space

When this is the case, it’s handy to have a few tricks up your sleeve to make a small bedroom appear larger while retaining a cozy and calm atmosphere. I’ve had to do this on a few occasions when I lived in smaller spaces and wanted to make the most our of the area.

Clear The Floor

If you tend to use area rugs keep in mind that, even if you choose small ones, they will make your bedroom look even smaller. This is because the rugs distract the eye, making the floor seem very ‘busy’ with colours and patterns.

Instead, you can fit wall-to-wall carpet or choose one large area rug that almost fits the entire floor space. If you prefer a hardwood or laminate floor, select one that has a shiny finish, as glossy surfaces reflect light and create an illusion that the room has more space.

You can always opt for a small sheepskin rug or mat next to the bed so there’s no icy shock for the feet in the morning.

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Colour up Carefully

The standard advice for making small rooms look bigger is to use pale colours on walls and ceilings. Often, white or cream are recommended.

While this makes sense, it can be a bit boring and there are other tricks you can try with stronger colours. For example, you can paint most of a small bedroom in a less insipid colour, such as a pale-to-medium shade of grey or blue. Then, use a darker tone of the same colour on a feature wall. The bold contrast gives the impression that the wall is further away, creating a greater sense of space in your small room.

Let in the Light

Larger rooms are generally lighter and airier than smaller ones, so it’s important to make the most of windows or skylights in a small bedroom. Letting in as much daylight as possible will create a warm, sunny, and spacious atmosphere. Do this by fitting elegant made to measure shutters so that there are no blinds or drapes casting shadows over the room.

During the daytime, you can control the exact amount of sunlight coming in if you choose shutters with movable slats. In the evenings, you can close the shutters to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

The great thing about shutters is that they complement any kind of décor, so it doesn’t matter whether you prefer traditional or contemporary styles.

Mirrors & Reflections

The other trick with light, artificial as well as natural light, is to make it work with mirrors. If you opt for wall lights instead of lamps on bedside tables, for example, you can free up extra floor space and using mirrors to reflect light will give the impression of a more expansive room. This is one instance when the bigger the mirror, the larger your small bedroom will appear to be.

If you have an inbuilt or freestanding closet you can add mirrors to the doors, or prop a large freestanding mirror against one wall for added effect. If you have a dressing table in the room, angle the mirrors for the best effect.

With all these mirroring and lighting options, be sure to use energy saving bulbs to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

Scale Down & Declutter

Mirrors aside, it’s a good idea to scale down the furniture in a smaller bedroom.

If you want a double bed, choose a standard size rather than a king size version. Everyone wants a comfy mattress, so find one you love, there are so many mattress sizes! You can also opt for a craftmatic bed comparison, they’re pretty cool!

Keep the floor clear of things you’re not using with clever storage solutions such as an ottoman, which makes an attractive seat as well as a great place to hide away everything from bedding to handbags.

When it comes to textiles and upholstery, including bedspreads, remember that solid colours or small prints are easier on the eye than intricate patterns and will not make a room seem cluttered.

If you’re in an older building with a large radiators, they can really detract from a beautiful room. You might want to consider getting one that is modern and flat such as the ones found at Radiator Outlet.

Finishing Touches

When you’re adding the finishing touches to your bedroom you have the final choice of the items that make it feel most comfortable.

Soft throws and velvety scatter cushions add a cozy touch, while wall art creates a relaxing atmosphere for you or your guests. After all, the bedroom is where you go to relax and be alone, so it’s important to include only what feels bright and positive.

The Gist of it

Making a room seem larger doesn’t have to be an enormous task. Using the latest trends to your benefit such as opting for light colours, adding mirrors, maximizing on light, and considering minimalist Nordic style furniture and decor is practical and saves you space.

What’s your main small bedroom ideas to make it appear larger?

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