5 Hacks to Instantly Make Any Room Feel Bigger!

Ever walked into a room and wished it felt just a little bigger? While knocking down walls isn’t always an option, the right colours, lighting tricks, and styling choices can work magic. With a few clever design tweaks, you can transform even the smallest of spaces into an airy, open haven.

If you’re looking to make your space feel bigger, brighter, and effortlessly stylish, here are our top five expert tips to create the illusion of more space—without any renovations required!

1. Stick to Lighter or Cooler-Toned Colours

Colour plays a huge role in how a room feels, and lighter or cooler tones are your best friend when it comes to making a space feel larger. Soft whites, airy greys, pale blues, and muted greens help reflect light, creating an open and expansive feel.

Need a little warmth? No problem! A delicate blush or a creamy neutral can still brighten a space while keeping things cosy. The key is to avoid anything too dark or overly saturated, as these can visually shrink a room and make walls feel like they’re closing in.

2. Opt for Colours from the Same Tone 

For a seamless, spacious effect, choose shades from the same tonal family. Keeping walls, ceilings, and trim in harmonious hues eliminates harsh visual breaks, making the room feel fluid and expansive.

For example:
Pairing warm neutrals (like taupes, beiges, or soft terracottas) together creates a continuous, inviting feel.
Sticking to cooler blues or greys keeps the space fresh and open.

This approach is all about colour flow, so think of your palette as a gradient rather than sharp contrasts.

3. Maximise Your Natural Light

Natural light is one of the most powerful tools for making a space feel bigger. The more daylight a room gets, the more open and airy it appears. But it’s not just about having a window; it’s about making the most of it.

Keep window treatments light and airy—think sheer curtains or lightweight linens.
If you have blinds, raise them fully during the day to let in as much light as possible.
Avoid placing bulky furniture in front of windows, as this can block precious daylight.

The goal? Maximise every drop of natural light by keeping your window areas as open and unobstructed as possible.

4. Use Paint Illusions to Trick the Eye

Paint isn’t just about colour—it’s a powerful tool for creating depth, movement, and illusion in a room. Here’s how to use it strategically:

Darker tones on walls – If your space is long and narrow, painting the longer walls in a slightly darker shade than the shorter walls can make the room feel more balanced and spacious. Bring the ceiling down – Want the ceiling to feel higher? Try painting the ceiling white and extending it slightly down onto the top of the walls. This draws the eye upward, making the room feel taller.

Try colour drenching – painting the walls, trim, and even the ceiling in the same shade creates a seamless look that blurs boundaries, making it much harder to tell where the walls end and the ceiling begins. The result? A space that instantly feels bigger and more cohesive. Want to dive deeper into the trend? Check out my blog What is Colour Drenching? for an introduction, My Favourite Colours for Colour Drenching for top shade recommendations, or if you're ready to give it a go, follow my step-by-step guide in How to Colour Drench!

Go for a light-reflective finish – If you’re feeling adventurous, choose a paint with a slight sheen (like a satin or eggshell finish). These finishes bounce light around the room, adding to the airy effect.

5. Accessory Illusions: Mirrors, Curtains & Clever Styling

Once your colour scheme and lighting are in place, it’s time for the finishing touches that truly transform a space. The right accessories can make all the difference:

Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors – The ultimate way to reflect light and create depth. A large mirror placed opposite a window instantly makes the space feel twice as big. Did you know we sell mirrors? Have a look at our range here to see if they could make your space feel bigger!

Curtains hung high – Take curtain rods all the way up to the ceiling (rather than just above the window). This draws the eye upwards, giving the illusion of taller ceilings.

Keep furniture light – Opt for furniture with slim legs, open frames, or glass surfaces to keep things feeling airy and uncluttered.

Declutter and simplify – A streamlined space always feels bigger than a cluttered one. Stick to a few well-chosen statement pieces rather than overloading the room with decor.

Making a small room feel larger is all about tricking the eye, enhancing light, and creating seamless visual flow. With the right colour choices, smart paint tricks, and clever styling, you can completely transform a space—no major renovations required.

What’s your go-to trick for making a space feel bigger? Let us know in the comments or tag us in your transformations—we love seeing your creative ideas! Share your looks with us using #DecoratingCentreOnline

Helen x