11 Expert Tricks on How to Make a Small Room Look Bigger

Got a small room that feels cramped? You’re not alone. Student accommodation can be limiting in terms of space; the average UK student lives in a 20.6 square meter room. With the busy and daunting schedule of student life, opening up your space can help clear your mind and make you feel more at home in your new surroundings. 

With our 11 simple tricks, you can learn how to make a small room look bigger and transform your living area into a comfortable and spacious haven. 

1. Invest in Multi-Tasking Furniture. 

Every student has mastered the art of multi-tasking, and it’s time to make your furniture a pro multitasker as well.  

Some versatile options you could consider include: 

• A bookcase that includes a fold-out desk for those moments when you need an extra workspace. 

• A portable kitchen island that can provide additional counter space and storage when needed. 

• A lift-top coffee table that doubles as a dining or work surface. 

• Go old school - consider a bunk bed with a desk underneath to save space and maximise sleeping and working areas efficiently. A classic option.
  
  

Choosing your furniture wisely can not only save space by improving functionality but also make your living area flexible for different needs. Choosing multi-tasking furniture is one of the best ways how to make a small room look bigger. 

Our #1 furniture tip for students living in halls is to purchase an extended desk. You can use it to study, get ready, prepare food and eat with friends! 

2. Use Light Colours.  

Implementing a colour palette involving whites and pastels will help make small spaces feel more open and airier. Lighter colours reflect more natural and artificial light than darker colours do helping to bounce light around the room. They also have the added benefit of giving the room a less cluttered appearance, which will help you to feel you have more space around you.  

Why not try using light colours, not only when painting but also when purchasing furniture and upholstery? Stuck on what colour to pick? Give Pantone color of the year 2024 “Peach Fuzz” a go. You could even try a statement wall to direct the eye towards, elongating your room! Light colours are essential when considering how to make a small room look bigger.  

3. Don’t Oversize The Furniture! 

As we mentioned in point 1, when considering how to make a small bedroom look bigger you need to think carefully about your furniture choices. Squeezing a double bed into the corner of a small bedroom when you only truly have room for a single will overwhelm the space. Large furniture occupies space and blocks light, making it difficult to see the entire room. 

Large pieces of furniture also make it hard to notice wall art, windows, or smaller furniture. Disrupting the visual balance like this can make the space feel crowded and restricted. 

Try these alternatives instead: 

• Drop-leaf Table: A table with foldable sides, which can be expanded when needed. 

• Armchairs: Instead of a large sofa, use two or three armchairs 

• Nesting Tables: Smaller tables that can be stored under a larger one. 

• Wall-mounted Desk: Folds down to save space when not in use. 

• Ladder Shelf: A-frame shelf that leans against the wall. 

4. Use Patterns Wisely. 

Using patterns can change how a room feels, making it seem taller, wider, or more open. Horizontal stripes create the impression of extra width, while vertical stripes add a sense of height. Diagonal designs, like herringbone floors, can add a dynamic feel, making the area seem larger. Applying a bold pattern on one wall as an accent draws the eye and contrasts with the simpler walls, helping the room feel more spacious.  

5. Mirrors. 

This tip is perfect because who doesn’t love to catch a glimpse of themselves in a mirror? One of the simplest tips on how to make a small room look bigger is to use mirrors. Adding extra mirrors can create the illusion of depth. Basically, it makes the space seem larger than it is. Our top tip is to place a floor to ceiling mirror opposite your main window to reflect the natural light!  

When purchasing furniture and storage items keep an eye out for anything with a built-in mirror. Wardrobes with mirror doors and mirrored pots are a great way to subtly add more mirrors into your space. 

6. Clear out the Clutter!  

A tale as old as time, students and their mess. If you’re one of the lucky ones who does not attract clutter, you can skip this step! 

For the rest of us, clearing out the clutter is fundamental when learning how to make a small room look bigger. Less is more in a small space. Keep surfaces clear and use only student essentials and storage solutions like wall-mounted shelves to keep things off the floor. Schedule regular decluttering sessions every once in a while, to ensure that you stay organised and that there are no unnecessary items lingering in your room and taking up valuable space.  

7. Pick The Perfect Rug For Your Space. 

When renting, rugs can be a great way to add some personality to your room. But be careful when choosing your rug to ensure that it compliments your space. 

When considering how to make a bedroom look bigger, we recommend getting a large rug, even for your smaller space. A large area rug can help unify the space, making the room feel bigger. But be sure to choose rugs with light colors or subtle patterns to avoid overwhelming the space. As an added bonus adding a rug to your student room will make your room feel cozy in the winter months.  

8. Wall-Mounted Solutions. 

If you're dealing with a shortage of floor space, consider maximising your wall space with various wall-mounted solutions. For instance, installing: 

• Wall hooks 

• Racks for hanging items such as bags, coats, or hats. 

• Floating Desk 

• Floating bedside Table 

Using wall-mounted solutions is a smart approach on how to make a small room look bigger. By taking advantage of vertical space, you free up the floor area and reduce clutter.  

9. Go-green! 

Plants can add a sense of life and vibrancy, which can make a space feel more welcoming and open. Adding some of your favourite plants can make your space feel more natural and open. Place your plant near a mirror to make it look bigger and the room feel fancier. This is a trick that many interior designers use to maximise small spaces. 

Worried about killing your plants? Here’s a list of low maintenance plants: 

• Snake Plant  

• ZZ Plant  

• Pothos  

• Spider Plant  

• Peace Lily  

• Aloe Vera 

• Cactus 

• Cast Iron Plant  

Working out how to make a bedroom look bigger is a tough task, adding a few little plants can be a great first step.  

10. Lower your Bed! 

Our top tip on how to make a small room look bigger is to pick a low bed. This helps to show more floor area, making the room feel more spacious and open A low-profile bed can make a small room feel more spacious by showing more floor area and keeping sightlines clear. Easier to get in and out of, and you can use the space above it for artwork or shelves. To truly open the space, match it with other low furniture and look for beds with built-in storage. Under-bed storage space will allow you to place seasonal items under your bed to save you some space in your drawers and wardrobe.  

11. Put Seasonal Items And Larger Furniture Into Storage. 

With such a confined space, there’s no need to waste space storing your Christmas tree or spare sofa. Putting larger furniture and seasonal items into storage is another practical solution for how to make a small room look bigger. Focusing on essentials creates a streamlined look, enhancing the sense of space and reducing clutter.  

If you don’t have a car and need help with moving your stuff to storage, Use LOVESPACE storage with collection and delivery. 

Our services are tailored specifically for students, where our friendly drivers will collect your stuff directly from your address, store it for as long as you need, and return it back to you when you need it! We provide an alternative to standard self-storage options: you can store your items with us by the box rather than renting out an entire storage unit. This makes us a convenient yet cost-effective storage company, and you can browse through our student-friendly services on our website.