Who doesn’t love a cozy nook or small room? They’re lovely, but if you’re feeling a bit boxed in, there are loads of clever ways to open things up without losing that warm, inviting feel. So, if you’re after a space that feels light, airy, and has a sense of flow – and you don’t want to take down any walls to get it – here are some fantastic tips that are sure to help you; read on to find out more. 

Photo by Taryn Elliott

Double The Light With Mirrors 

Mirrors are known to be a classic trick for making a room feel lighter and bigger for a reason, and that reason is that they bounce light around, making a small room feel bigger and brighter. But don’t just settle for any mirror. You’ll want to think large, interesting, even quirky mirror shapes to make your room interesting and comfortable – and reflect your personality a lot more. 

A mirror on the wall across from a window is like bringing in a second, invisible window because it reflects daylight and creates depth, so it’s definitely worth doing. And for a little extra style and storage, consider a mirrored sideboard which not only adds glamor but also makes the spaces feel bigger because you can get rid of clutter and reflect light at the same time. 

Use Vertical Shelving 

A lot of the time when we’re thinking about ways to create an open feel in cozier spaces, we’ll think about the floor space and how to get more out of it, but that might not be the only thing to think about – what about going up? 

Tall, open shelving helps to draw the eye upward, and it’s another visual trick that makes you think the room is bigger than it really is. Plus, once again, it’s a functional idea because it means you can show off favorite books, plants, ornaments, photos, or whatever else it might be you want to use the shelving for. 

Use Light Colors 

We’ve all heard about using light colors to open up a space, but just painting the walls isn’t necessarily enough (although it’s a great start). What you can do to make the room feel even bigger is to use color in an unusual way, such as half-painting a wall or perhaps color blocking. 

When you paint just the lower half of the wall, in a light, bright color and leave the top half plain white, you can give the room a better sense of height, which is exactly the kind of thing you’ll want. Or you can experiment with a gradient effect that goes from a deeper color at the bottom to a lighter one at the top – it’s subtle, but it really does work. 

Clear The Floor 

Another handy idea to make a smaller room feel just a bit bigger is to have furniture that’s low to the ground or has open bases because that makes a room feel less cramped. Some good examples are mid-century modern pieces, which tend to have slimmer legs and lighter frames, so they’re perfect for what you’ll need.

When you’re able to leave a bit of air between the furniture and floor, it gives you a more open feel, and if you can also keep the floor as visible as possible, that’s also going to help (in other words, don’t have too many rugs because it makes your room feel fragmented, which makes it feel smaller).