How to enlarge a room: choice of color, furniture, decoration of walls, ceiling and floor

What colors increase the space?

The well-known fact that the lighter the shade, the larger the object seems. The same technique applies to interior solutions. In order to visually increase the area of ​​a room, it is worth using a finish in bright colors: white and cold pastel shades. Furniture is also worth using a light color, but different in tone from walls, ceiling and floor. For example, it can be a gentle pastel gamma.

On the picture compact kitchen in Khrushchev. In order to visually increase the area, the room was decorated in bright colors.

How to decorate the walls?

What wallpaper enlarges the room

Using some tricks when finishing, you can push the boundaries of the room and visually enlarge the room.

• Vertical stripes extend the space, making it taller;

• Wallpaper with horizontal stripes will increase the width of the room;

On the picture the wall is decorated with wallpaper with horizontal stripes, this type of finish visually increases the width of the room.

• One of the walls can be pasted into a wallpaper with a pattern or ornament, this technique will make a long room more proportional;

• Screaming vibrant colors should be avoided;
• The walls can be decorated with wallpaper with a shiny surface;

On the picture accent wall in the bedroom is decorated with gold wallpaper with a shiny surface.

• You can use wallpaper with a small pattern or discreet pattern, they will increase the volume.

What drawings enlarge the room

It would seem that simple drawings and geometric shapes miraculously affect our perception. The same pattern with a different color, scale or arrangement dramatically change the appearance of the room.

• Volumetric drawing on one of the walls (photo 1). A large drawing shortens the room, visually approximating the wall on which it is located. This type of finish is suitable for long narrow rooms. The image will shorten the length and expand the space.
• Small patterns (photo 2). On the contrary, a small drawing of a light shade visually increases the space, making it voluminous.
• Horizontal stripes (photo 3). Cross strips can increase the width and extend the walls. However, a low ceiling effect may occur. In the case of wallpaper with horizontal stripes of only one wall, the room will seem shorter.
• Vertical stripes (photo 4). Vertical stripes opposite, stretch the space, making it taller. The thickness of the strips enhances this effect.
• Horizontal stripes on the floor (photo 5). As in the case of wallpaper, horizontal stripes make the room wider, but shorter. This type of decoration is suitable for disproportionate rooms.
• Longitudinal stripes (photo 6). Vertical stripes deepen the room, making it longer. As with wallpaper, the width of the strip strengthens the effect.

Wall mural enlarging room

The image can increase or vice versa reduce the area of ​​the room.

• Photowall-paper with the image going into the distance will make the room bigger;
• A hopeless image will reduce the area of ​​the room;
• Photowall-paper with the image of different texture will allow creating a play of light, which will also add volume;
• Wall murals with a shiny surface will increase the area due to reflective properties;
• Photowall-paper with the image passing from dark to light shade will make the room higher;
• Do not paste all the walls of the room with photo wallpaper, they will have the opposite result, one or two will be enough.

Ways to increase due to the ceiling

The easiest and most popular way to increase the room due to the ceiling is to make a tensile structure with a glossy surface. Mirror material will double space due to its reflective properties. An interesting solution would be a combined ceiling, a combination of matte and glossy material can create an unusual composition, increasing precious square meters.

On the picture the ceiling in the living room is decorated with a tension structure with a glossy surface.

A disproportionate room can be leveled by a combination of colors. A strip of darker shade across the elongated room will make it wider. The same effect can be achieved by ceiling beams, several direct wooden beams will be enough.

Another way to increase the space is to print with the image of the sky.

Flooring selection

The flooring, like the rest of the surface, is made predominantly in light shades. For the living room, you can use a laminate, linoleum or carpet, the color is better to choose plain or with a small discreet pattern.

Laminate and parquet can be laid out diagonally or in the “herringbone” way, thus, the room looks more spacious.

Familiar bands are also used, direction to either side will increase the room in the desired direction.

On the picture horizontal stripes make the narrow kitchen visually wider.

A self-leveling floor with a reflective effect will double the space.

How to increase the height of the room?

There are several ways to make a room higher. One of them is wall decoration. Vertical stripes or wallpaper patterns “stretch” the wall. It can be wallpaper, painting or hand-painted.

Wall murals with a promising image, such as a receding path in the forest or a high waterfall, will have the same result.

On the picture wallpapers with a perspective image (a receding pier) that help visually increase the height of a small bedroom.

You can increase the height of the room with the help of high door and window openings. Curtains or tulle with a straight cut from the ceiling to the floor will also contribute to this.

Mirrors are a stylish way to significantly increase the area, for example, a high mirror on the wall or a composition of small mirrors on the ceiling.

How to visually expand a narrow room?

You can expand a narrow room with fairly simple means without resorting to construction work. What to do if you got a room of imperfect proportions? It is necessary to take on their “correction” already at the stage of repair and decoration.

• Visually expand the narrow room will help the elements guides "across" space. A floor covering having pronounced stripes, for example, a laminate or linoleum with a pattern, is best directed along a short wall or at an angle. Stacked along a long wall, such coatings will further narrow the room. Another option is the use of a monophonic coating, for example, carpet, linoleum without a pattern, cork.
• Wall covering will also help expand a narrow room. Feel free to use horizontal strip on end surfaces. Wide stripes and skillfully selected colors will help enhance the effect of expansion.
• Alternatively, try paint short walls bright, rich colors, and long ones - in neutral ones, or use wallpaper with a subtle pattern on them.Such a technique will help to “squeeze” the room in the right direction, it will become more “square”.
• Ceiling beamsparallel to the short sides of the room will also help to perceive it differently, visually expand the narrow room. They can be purely decorative, made of drywall. Such a solution is very appropriate in today's popular Mediterranean style of housing.
• Try discard the standard rectangular space. For example, a non-standard suspended ceiling can change the appearance and expand a narrow room. Painting walls not with planes, but with curly elements will support this effect. But such complex design options are best left to professional designers.

If you don’t plan to do repairs, but you want to visually expand a narrow room, you can use simple and affordable techniques for everyone.

• If possible, remove furniture from long walls, do not be afraid to put furniture elements across, for example, a cabinet at the end of a short wall or place furniture against a wall with a window - you can put a desk on it, this is functionally convenient and allows you to visually expand a narrow room.
• Divide the total volume into functional zones with the help of a rack open on both sides and placed perpendicular to a long wall - this technique will allow you to fragment the space and correct unprofitable proportions.
• Play with light. It is better to refuse a standard chandelier in the center of the ceiling. To expand the narrow room, spotlights located in the center of the ceiling will help if their light is directed to the walls.
• Hang a picture, a spectacular poster or a large decorative element (for example, a watch with a large dial) on the end wall, this will attract attention, the rest of the walls should be in neutral colors.

Make a room bigger with mirrors and glass

Reflective surfaces are the most common and effective way to increase the boundaries of space. With the help of mirrors, even the most compact room will seem spacious.

On the picture accent wall is decorated with mirror paintings that make the bedroom visually spacious.

A high mirror, starting from the floor itself, will add volume to the room, forming a passage into another room without any obstacles. It is worth considering that covering more than one wall with mirrors is not the best option, instead of a stylish living room or bedroom you get a real ballet studio, devoid of comfort and home atmosphere.

Mirrors can have different shapes and frames, with unusual frames they will also play the function of a decorative element of an apartment. Curly mirrors can make an unusual composition on a wall or ceiling, they unobtrusively increase the volume.

Another common way to increase space is through a stretch ceiling with a glossy surface.

An excellent solution would be the installation of mirror or glossy furniture.

A fake fireplace with a mirror on the inner wall will be an interesting design decision. Such decoration takes up a minimum amount of space, while creating the illusion of a passage to another room.

If it is necessary to separate the rooms, a glass partition will perform the function of the wall. It will not create the impression of a confined space, but it will divide the room into zones.

Photo of compact furniture and decor

Choosing furniture for a small room, it is worth giving your preference to low items. For example, instead of high bar stools, put a stool or ottoman, a bed without a high headboard or a sofa with a low back.

Weightless transparent furniture performs its direct functions, while not overloading the space, it can be plastic chairs and a table with a glass surface.

On the picture transparent dining group in the interior of a small kitchen.

Furniture items should be placed along the walls so that the central part of the room remains free.

Interior details and accessories are best used in a vertical form.Such techniques will help visually increase the height of the ceiling.

As for decorative elements, they should not be many, otherwise you can get a sense of clutter.

Curtain selection

Window decoration plays an important role in the design of the apartment. The selected material and cut will fill the room with space or, on the contrary, overload it.

• White tulle from the ceiling to the floor will visually enlarge the windows, respectively, fill the room with light and stretch the space;

• Light textile curtains with fine patterns are suitable for decorating the windows of the living room and the nursery;

• Rolled or Roman curtains will save space and will be ideal for a kitchen or a nursery;

• Some styles allow you not to use curtains at all, for example: minimalism, loft, Scandinavian.

Choosing the right lighting

In a small apartment, it is worth using diffused light. Bright chandeliers with transparent shades or open light are not suitable for a small room. It is more appropriate to use lamps and chandeliers with shades of frosted glass or light shade.

To increase the width of the room use a system of spotlights around the perimeter.

An interesting effect will be given by the backlight from the LED strip. The tape, recessed in a two-tier design, will give the impression of a soaring ceiling.

Also, LED strip can be decorated with furniture.

On the picture the bed in the children's room is illuminated by LED strip.

How to visually make a larger bathroom?

In a small bath, the best idea is to finish the walls and floor with light tiled tiles. White tiles will fill the bathroom with light and visually increase the area.

Combining two colors, a horizontal line with a brighter shade will be a good option, this will expand the walls.

Finishing the ceiling with metal panels with a mirror coating will increase the space.

A large mirror above the sink will also play a role.

On the picture white tiles fill the bathroom with light; the mirror above the sink visually increases its area.

As lighting, it is worth choosing spotlights and mirror illumination.

An important role is played by furniture, for example, shelves recessed into the wall, and a narrow sink. You can save usable space by placing a washing machine under the sink.

Even the most compact apartment can be made comfortable by placing everything you need for life. Modern technology allows you to create miniature appliances and mobile furniture that retain the maximum amount of free space. And repairs in the right shades will increase the space and make the house cozy.