How to Make Your House Feel and Look Bigger

The idea of having more space has become increasingly important to homeowners in recent years. However, whilst the thought of extending your home is appealing, it comes with a very expensive and time-consuming process. As a result, more and more people are now looking for cheap tips and tricks that help create the illusion of space. 

You don’t have to completely renovate your house with invasive procedures to make it look and feel more spacious. There are plenty of insightful and cost-effective ways that you can make your home feel larger. 

To help you get started, here are 8 simple ways to make your house feel and look bigger and brighter: 

1. Declutter Your Home 

Removing all clutter is a vital step in maximising space. It costs nothing to donate or throw away unused things. In fact, you may even make a little extra cash if you decide to sell instead. 

If you don’t have time to sort through all your belongings in one go or you’re struggling to decide which items should stay, then consider using self-storage units to protect your things in the meantime. 

Self-storage is a great way to declutter your home without committing to throwing away precious or sentimental items. It ensures you have enough space in your home whilst also protecting your additional items or furniture. Don’t forget to compare self-storage units before choosing a facility to help you save both time and money when organising your home.

2. Rearrange Furniture 

If any of your furniture is obstructing natural light from entering the property, try to rearrange the layout as light can help make a room look bigger. 

If smaller rooms are overflowing with items, remove bulky furniture to create a more minimalist look, thus giving you more space to experiment with. Don’t forget to consider purchasing chairs with open arms or exposed legs to increase the amount of light that is filtered through. 

Multi-functional furniture can be ideal for increasing your storage space without making the room appear smaller. Extendable items such as dining tables are also good options as they only take up space when being used. 

3. Make Use of Mirrors 

Whilst it’s the oldest trick in the book, it’s often repeated for a reason. Mirrors and other reflective surfaces are ideal for making a house look bigger as they reflect light. However, it’s important to be strategic with your positioning.

Place your mirrors opposite windows so they reflect the view as well as light - you can even angle them to create the illusion of depth. To take it a step further, consider assembling a gallery of mirrors in larger rooms to invite more light without making the walls look too cluttered. 

Glass tables, mirrored cabinets and other reflective surfaces will also add more light to the home, thus making it feel more spacious. 

4. Emphasise Specific Features

One way to make your home look bigger is by creating a sense of movement in each room.

Add any elements you believe would highlight the space you’re choosing to show off. 

If you want to make the room seem taller, you could choose bare hanging bulbs or even a variety of slim but tall shelves. For a wider feeling, choose horizontal features such as reclining chairs or long wooden panelling on the walls. 

5. Choose Simple Décor 

The most important rule is to keep it simple. The more furniture, possessions, patterns or ornaments you have in a room, the more cramped and cluttered it’ll look. Keep the décor light and airy. If you want to add photos or artwork, create a focal point by choosing larger pieces rather than cluttering the walls with a few different things. 

Avoid busy patterns unless you decide to have a feature wall that complements the minimalist style across the rest of the room. Be strategic in your positioning and keep each room simple. 

6. Opt for Lighter Colours 

When choosing paint colours, focus on using lighter shades, especially when updating smaller rooms. Use a neutral palette and try to stick to one colour- this will brighten up any room and quickly add the illusion of space. 

As dark colours absorb light, they can make your home feel small. Softer tones such as off-white, blues or pinks will typically make a room feel and look bigger. But don’t forget the ceiling. Light colours can open the space above and reflect more light, ensuring a more welcoming atmosphere. 

7. Reassess Shelving Placements

It’s surprising how much bigger a room can feel just by placing shelves, photos and paintings higher up the wall. Our eyes typically gravitate towards features in a room. This means, the higher they’re placed, the further up our eyes are naturally drawn. This can make a property feel less cramped and confined, creating a more airy and welcoming feel. 

This trick can create an illusion of height, making the room look and feel more spacious. It’s a simple and cost-effective tip that expands the space and makes a room seem taller. 

8. Get Creative With Lighting  

To ensure every corner is effectively lit, try layering light fixtures instead of relying on just one. Be creative with their positioning and use smaller fixtures to avoid cluttering the rooms. Not only will this make your home look brighter, but it will also add more depth. 

Don’t forget to let natural light in where possible. Avoid bulky curtains by choosing lightly coloured blinds or sheer coverings, especially in rooms with larger windows.