Living in a small space can make anyone feel cramped and overwhelmed. But, whether it’s because of lack of finances or a desire to be in the centre of the urban part of the city, many people are forced to go tiny. Contrary to popular opinion, a small home can be designed in a way that creates an illusion of spaciousness and makes the most of every available inch. If you’re struggling to make your miniature habitat more functional and more visually open, here are a few ideas that will help you inject your place with growth hormone.

Stick to a light color palette

You have already heard this a thousand times, but some truths need to be repeated. Painting the room crisp white or light neutral (e.g., grey) will open it up and make it feel lighter and brighter. To further enhance the illusion, paint the ceilings and the walls in the same hue so that you can blur the lines between them. Light natural wood elements and furnishing in neutral tones will aid the cause. Add colourful accents (e.g., pastels or saturated hues) to break down the monotony.

Create reflection

You can’t have an enormous room? So what? You can fake it ‘till you make it. By strategically placing mirrors opposite to windows and light sources, you are creating a more open and roomy space. But there are other things besides mirrors that can reflect light. Those are mirrored furniture and metallic accents. Metallic pieces can come in the form of vases, side tables, mirror frames, wall lamps, chandeliers and other accessories.

Light it up

A dark space looks smaller than it actually is. Don’t allow the lack of light to sabotage your efforts to visually open up the space. Leave your windows bare to provide a maximum of natural light, or use sheer curtains, if the lack of privacy bothers you. Compensate what daylight can’t give you with layered lighting. You can use full-spectrum bulbs which mimic the effect of sunlight.

Choose minimalism

It’s easy to fall in love with bohemian interiors packed with tons of different coloured fabrics and peculiar elements, but small spaces don’t allow you the freedom to go eclectic, unless you are willing to sacrifice the feeling of spaciousness. Design styles such as Scandinavian, which celebrate simplicity, clean lines and minimalism – are all more appropriate for cramped rooms. In addition, more and more project homes in Sydney are designed in a minimalistic style, especially the small sized ones. Its making them more spacious, more appealing for buyers and also easy customizible.

Create texture

Minimalism doesn’t mean you need to leave everything bare and dull. You can create texture and add color with a pastel, natural, boho, or skandi rug, which can find its place in every room of your home. Furthermore, you can layer a couple of cozy rugs on top of each other and create a warmer atmosphere. Other ways to add texture are throw pillows and blankets (use soft fabrics like velvet and faux fur).

Clever ways to use space

One has to do whatever is possible to make the most out of the space in a small room, especially when it comes to furnishing and storage. Choose double-duty and modular furniture that can be adapted to your current needs. Modular furniture allows you to use the space creatively and transform a large lounge into a chair, ottoman and sofa when you need it. As for the storage, use up every corner and the vertical space (e.g., floating shelves). Be creative with shelves; you can install some above the bathroom door, in the wall niche, above the bed in the bedroom or the sofa in the living room.

Show off the legs

The floor space often determines how large the room feels. Furniture that occupies a lot of it will create a crowded appearance. Choose pieces that are light and “leggy” so the light and the look will flow over and under the furniture and around the entire room.

Living in a small place doesn’t have to be torture. If you use the space properly and decorate it using these tricks that will visually open it, soon your once tiny home will feel like a mansion.