Your home can have rooms that are too big, too small, or exactly right – although that last may seem elusive. It may seem easier to fill a large space with more furniture than making a small space appear larger than it is. In this blog, we look at how to make a room look bigger, and in the process, make it function in ways you never imagined.

There are some benefits to having a smaller space to work with as you are decorating. It is easier to organize, and you need fewer furnishings to fill it up. The services of an interior designer can be invaluable when working with a small space to help you get the most out of your surroundings.

When you are trying to decide how to make a small room look bigger in your home, consider the following:

• Paint and Color
• Furniture
• Lighting
• Mirrors
• Drapery
• Decorations and Artwork
• Reduce Clutter

How to Make a Room Look Bigger

Paint and Color

People often ask what colors make a room look bigger when they are getting ready to paint the inside of their home. Light and dark colors, creating contrast, can give a room depth. When you look at how to make a small room look bigger with paint, keep in mind that medium shades will make your space appear smaller than it is. Using dark and bright white colors that open up a room, in contrast, creates the illusion of a much larger area.

Small rooms are not always square. Some may be narrow and long. When considering how to make a narrow room look wider with paint, keep in mind that light and cool colors recede – they seem farther away. Warm, dark colors advance towards us. For long narrow spaces, paint the opposing shorter walls a slightly darker (one or two shades) color than the two longer walls. That will make them feel closer, giving the image of a square shape. Conversely, you can also paint the longer walls a darker shade, emphasizing the room’s length – depending on which way you want to present the space.

Some painting techniques to make a room look bigger include:

• Stay with one color – when different colors are used, the eye automatically stops at the line where one color ends and another begins, creating boundaries in the room. When you use only one color, the space appears continuous.
• Use stripes – horizontal stripes will make a wall appear longer, and vertical stripes will make it seem taller.

When considering colors that make a room look bigger, white, in its many shades, is always an optimum choice. Its reflective qualities help to open a space and make it appear light and airy.

For more painting room ideas, check out the image below, showing how different painting options can change the appearance of your space.

Furniture

Next up in our ideas to make a small room look bigger is choosing furniture wisely. Now is the time to think about proportions. If you put your furniture up against the walls, it will make the room appear smaller. By leaving some air between the walls and your furniture, you create a feeling of roominess.

It is also good to avoid large, heavy pieces of furniture. Not only do they use up too much space in a small room, but they also draw all the focus to that part of the room. If you have tall pieces of furniture, place those against the wall to avoid breaking up the room.

Another way to make a room look bigger with furniture is to keep the furnishings lower to the ground. That also helps add more height to a low room be leaving more space above them. A chair such as the one below is an excellent example of keeping furniture lower in the room. Because it also shows the legs, it allows space, air, and light to flow around it.

Lighting

Natural light is one of the best ways to make a room look bigger. Remove the blinds and allow light to flow into your space. If possible, add some skylights to the room so that light can stream in from above.

When working with artificial lighting, place a few lamps around the room rather than one light overhead. Multiple light sources help expand the feel of the room and create ambient and even lighting.

Mirrors

Mirrors are an excellent way to make a room look bigger as they help reflect and bounce light from the windows. Another benefit of hanging a mirror on the wall is that it reflects the view and tricks the eye into the perception of increased space.

Drapery

Just as high heels will make any woman appear taller, floor-to-ceiling drapery will provide an instant height boost to any room.

Another option is to eliminate curtains, as they only add more for the eye to look at. If you do want drapes, consider breezy, lightweight fabrics, which provide an airy touch.

Decorations and Artwork

The décor you use in your room can make it seem smaller by cluttering up your space. Every surface of your room does not need to be covered in décor. The more you can open it up and let it “breathe,” the larger the space will feel. Place décor arrangements in groupings of 3 or 5 items on tables or dressers. Placing them on a tray helps to reduce the visual clutter.

Utilizing one large-scale piece of artwork on a wall rather than a gallery display of smaller ones will help open the room. If you do have many smaller pictures to display, place them all on one wall.

Reduce Clutter

Clutter is the enemy of small spaces. If you wonder how to make small rooms look bigger, getting rid of clutter is the number one thing you can do right now. That does not mean getting rid of your cherished items – it means finding creative ways to store them out of sight.

That optical illusion is especially important when thinking about how to make a small bedroom look bigger. The bedroom is our safe space – it is where we go to unwind and relax. It is hard to get a restful night’s sleep when clutter is all around you.

Baskets, such as those below, placed in the corner, can hold extra blankets, magazines, books, and pet toys out of the way. Goodbye clutter – hello space!

Another excellent way to make a room look bigger while eliminating clutter is with shelving units. Placed on either end of a window, you can even put a storage bench between them to create a window seat in a bedroom.

An excellent option is the Almora shelving unit shown below. The open back of the cubes allows for the light walls to shine through while providing plenty of room for your favorite books and decorations.

There you have it – many ways for how to make a room look bigger that are both beautiful to behold and functional at the same time.

The HK Collection is a beautifully curated collection of fine furnishings and décor for your home. We can help you find that special piece for any room or design.

Contact HK Interiors today at 954-401-8542 for all your interior design needs and more information.

Covid-19 has changed many facets of our daily life, with the way we now view our habitats sitting high on the list. In the past, home was the place we would return to at the end of the day. We wanted convenience, comfort, and a relaxing place to unwind. Now, the home has transformed into a workplace, makeshift school, gym, movie theater, entertainment facility, and more. For that reason, hiring an interior designer has never been more beneficial than it is right now.

While many people view hiring an interior designer as an extravagance, others see it as a way of improving the quality of their lives. That is the primary goal of an interior designer – to improve a person’s quality of life through the functionality and aesthetic of their surroundings.

Interior design should inspire, soothe, comfort, enrich, and energize the soul. Today, interior designers must incorporate a person’s style and desires, along with the functionality that might arise out of the necessity of being confined or quarantined at home for days, weeks, or even months at a time.

*Hiring an interior designer can help transform your home into a functional and aesthetically pleasing space. …more

One of the quickest and least expensive ways to change up the look of your room is with new throw pillows. Why would you need an interior designer if all you have to do is go out and buy a few inexpensive throw pillows to toss on your couch?

Truth be told, it is not always that easy. I know some people have wonderful color and style sense and can probably accomplish this on their own. However, there are also those who know they can easily get overwhelmed with patterns and colors. It is the same with furniture and decorative pillows. Make the wrong choice, and you will find yourself doing another return to the store.

Here is a list of do’s and don’ts of selecting decorative throw pillows for your home. Of course, you can always contact me to discuss options. In the end, the services of an interior designer can help beautify your home without it costing a small fortune. The right custom throw pillows or the specified Pantone color number system can take your home to the next level. There are also other decorating touches that an interior designer can add that will transform your room in ways you never imagined.

Throw Pillow Selection Do’s and Don’ts

Here is the first thing you need to know before you head out to the store and buy some new throw pillows – the selection is seemingly endless. It is easy to get lost in a sea of pillows that will have you second-guessing yourself – all the way to the register and beyond. Just when you think you made the right selection, you get home, and nothing seems to match.

Here is what you need to remember about buying throw pillows:

Throw Pillow Do’s:

• Choose the right size pillows for your sofa. Aside from being decorative, sofa pillows are also there to serve a purpose. You want your pillows to add comfort to your seating. Large throw pillows can make it difficult to sit comfortably on your sofa. If you have a firm sofa, you will want softer pillows. If your sofa is very soft, getting firm accent pillows will provide stability when sitting.

• Select your color palette with care. Keep your throw pillows in the same shade or select complementary shades for a cohesive look.

• Do not mix too many patterns, but it is good to mix tone on tone textures. While you do want some variances in your pillows, overdoing it can backfire and create a look that distracts from the beauty of your room.

• Follow this formula: Mix tone on tone textures or solids in different sizes or 1 solid, 1 busy print, 1 small print. A large or busy print works best on large couch pillows (think large = large). A small print, stripes, or plaids work best for small pillows. Use your medium pillow to bridge the two others. Remember to place larger pillows at the end of the couch, and the smallest ones to the center.

Throw Pillow Don’ts:

• Do not put so many throw pillows on your sofa that you have nowhere to sit. Guests sometimes feel uncomfortable moving around pillows in someone else’s home. Instead, they will perch uneasily on the edge of the sofa. The purpose of a couch pillow is to add comfort while being visually attractive.

• Do not give in to temptation and buy cheap throw pillows – the quality of material and inserts matter.

• Do not forget to tie your throw pillows together with one color. Even if there is only a tiny amount of your primary color in the fabric, it will still bring a cohesive look.

• Do not be afraid to go bold and make an exclamation point in your home. If your room and furniture are all white, cream, or beige, it is okay to bring a bright, bold color into the room with accent pillows.

Final Points of Interest about Throw Pillows

Here are some final recommendations when looking at buying throw pillows:

• Stick with solid colors if your room has a lot of patterns.
• Pair a simple stripe with a solid pillow for a classic look.
• If you have throw pillow covers that you like and need to get inserts, choose a slightly bigger insert for a fuller pillow.
• Odd number pillow pairings create a more modern look; even pairings are more traditional.
• It is ok to mix shapes, such as oblongs and squares, or squares and circles. Just remember that although you may be drawn to a particular shape, it may not look good on your style of furniture.

Remember, your throw pillows should complement your sofa (or chair). Choose your sizes, patterns, fabrics, textures, and shapes carefully.

HK Interiors is here to help you transform your home or office into the vision you desire. Contact us at 954-401-8542 for more information.

Before you pick up that paint brush, pull up the old carpet, or run to the furniture store, check out these seven reasons to hire an interior designer.

1.  Choosing paint colors

2. Picking the right wallpaper

3. Choosing the right scale and proportion of furniture for your space and function

4. Deciding on the right flooring

5. Selecting the proper window coverings

6. Getting the best professionals for the job

7. Eliminating stress

Why Is it Wise to Hire an Interior Designer to Choose a Paint Color?

You may think that the money you spend to hire an interior designer is a waste of resources. However, do you really know that the paint colors you have chosen for your room will compliment your furnishings? Did you know that choosing a wall color is best in the mid-morning and afternoon daylight hours?

Nuances of color can make or break the final accessory or the beginning of a color palette.

Sometimes, all you need is an hour of time with a design professional to select the right paints for your do-it-yourself project.

An interior designer and a painting professional will discuss wall condition and what paint finish is appropriate for each room. Do not let the paint store determine what looks best. They know quality and applications for indoors and outdoors, but not color schemes and eye-appeal.

Speak to an Interior Designer Before Selecting Wallpaper

Wallpaper can be a challenge. The wrong pattern or texture can clash with your furnishings or cause your room to look smaller than it is. Some types of wallpaper do better in rooms that are often damp, such as a bathroom.

Another reason why you want to hire an interior designer for a consultation is that you may wind up purchasing less wallpaper than you need (or too much). You have to think ahead in case you need to replace a section down the road. Also, the interior designer will know quality wallpaper hangers to recommend.

Hire an Interior Designer for Help Selecting the Right Furnishings

Interior designers often have access to manufacturers and showrooms that you do not. An interior designer knows quality, scale, proportion, and style, and can bring your entire room together.

Carpet or Tile, Wood or Laminate – Only the Interior Designer Knows for Sure

You want the flooring you buy to last for many years. When you hire an interior designer to help you choose the best flooring, you get professional guidance that can help you make the right choice the first time.

The last thing you want to do is buy carpet, tile, or an expensive rug that will clash with your furniture, or with existing flooring. You may only need one consultation, but that meeting can create a “wow” effect in your room.

Window Coverings in South Florida – Let a Designer Steer You in the Right Direction

Living in South Florida has its own set of challenges. Your window coverings have to address afternoon sun, repel summertime heat, and keep your rooms comfortable in the winter. The money you spend when you hire an interior designer to help you select the right window coverings is often saved with lower electricity bills throughout the year.

An Interior Designer Knows Who to Call to Get the Job Done Right – the First Time

Whether you are looking to remodel your kitchen, want custom built-in furniture, or knocking down a wall, hiring an interior designer puts you in direct contact with highly-trained professionals.

With years of experience and a small militia of craftspeople, your interior designer will help you get the best quality service.

Hire an Interior Designer and Reduce the Stress of Your Remodeling Project

It does not matter if the job is small (painting one wall) or large (remodeling an entire house). If you hire an interior designer, you have a trained professional who will take away much of the stress that comes with the process. Retirees in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Boca Raton can have peace of mind knowing their homes are in the hands of qualified experts.

Busy families in Parkland and Coral Springs have better things to do with their time than sit around all day waiting on a contractor. Let an expert handle the small details for you and enjoy a simplified life.

No matter where you live in South Florida, contact HK Interiors in Coral Springs to discover how our interior design services can help you transform your home or office into the vision you desire. Call 954-401-8542 today for all your interior design needs.