10 Design Tricks to Make a Small Space Look Bigger

Discover smart interior design tricks to make your small space look bigger, brighter, and more stylish - no renovation required.

1/26/20254 min read

Living in a small space doesn’t mean sacrificing style or comfort. With a few clever design choices, you can make even the tiniest studio or compact apartment feel open, airy, and beautifully curated. The key is to think strategically about light, color, texture, and scale - transforming limitation into luxury.

At Moodspiration, we believe every home, no matter its size, can feel spacious and inspiring. Here’s how to make your small space look bigger using interior design tricks that work like magic.

1. Start with a Light and Cohesive Color Palette

Color sets the tone, literally, for how spacious your room feels.

Light, neutral hues like soft whites, warm beiges, and pale greys reflect more light and visually expand your space. That doesn’t mean you can’t use color - just choose muted tones like dusty sage, blush, or slate blue instead of dark or saturated shades.

Pro Tip: Paint your walls, trim, and ceiling in the same color family. This seamless transition erases visual boundaries, making walls appear to recede and ceilings feel higher.

2. Use Mirrors to Double the Space

Mirrors are the oldest trick in the designer’s book - and for good reason. They instantly bounce light around the room, giving the illusion of added depth and brightness.

Place a large mirror opposite a window to maximize natural light or use mirrored furniture (like a glass coffee table or reflective console) to subtly expand the room without adding clutter.

For a Pinterest-worthy touch, try a vintage gold-framed mirror or a set of round mirrors arranged asymmetrically on a statement wall.

3. Let There Be (Layered) Light

A single overhead light can make small rooms feel flat. Instead, layer your lighting to create warmth and depth. Combine:

Ambient light: soft ceiling or wall lighting to set the mood
Task light: table or floor lamps for reading or working
Accent light: small sconces or LED strips to highlight artwork or shelves

Adding varied light sources - like brass floor lamps or rattan pendant lights (find them on Amazon) - creates visual zones and draws the eye around the room, making it feel more expansive.

4. Choose Furniture That Fits the Scale

Oversized furniture can overpower a small room. Instead, opt for slim-profile, multi-functional pieces that balance form and function.

Look for:

A loveseat instead of a full sofa
Ottomans with hidden storage
Glass or acrylic tables that visually “disappear”
Floating shelves to free up floor space

Avoid pushing every item against the wall - leaving breathing room behind furniture tricks the eye into seeing more space than there is.

5. Embrace Vertical Space

When you can’t expand outward, expand upward.

Tall bookshelves, wall-mounted cabinets, and vertical art draw the eye toward the ceiling, elongating the room’s proportions. Choose shelving that nearly reaches the ceiling to maximize storage and visual height.

Try styling your vertical shelves with a mix of books, ceramics, and greenery for that effortless, curated look.

Pro Tip: Hang curtains just below the ceiling rather than directly above the window frame. This simple change instantly makes windows (and rooms) look taller.

6. Keep Clutter to a Minimum

Nothing makes a small space feel smaller than clutter. Edit what’s on display and keep surfaces clean to create a sense of calm and openness.

Use decorative storage boxes, woven baskets, or closed cabinets to hide essentials without sacrificing style. Think minimalist but cozy - less is truly more when it comes to small-space design.

7. Add Texture for Warmth and Depth

While simplicity is key, you don’t want your space to feel flat. Introduce layered textures through textiles like linen curtains, wool throws, velvet cushions, and natural rugs.

Mixing materials adds personality and softness without crowding the visual space. Stick to a limited color palette to keep things cohesive - for example, combining cream linen, grey wool, and brushed brass accents creates balance and sophistication.

8. Use Rugs to Define Zones

If you live in a studio or open-plan layout, rugs are a fantastic way to visually separate areas without adding walls. A soft area rug under your bed, a smaller patterned rug beneath your dining nook, or a neutral jute rug in your living area can make your space feel thoughtfully designed and organized.

9. Choose Clear or Reflective Furniture

Glass, acrylic, or mirrored furniture pieces keep the space visually light. A lucite coffee table, metal-framed chair, or glass console allows your eyes to travel through the room without interruption.

These transparent or reflective elements make a small room feel more open and contemporary while still being chic and functional.

10. Bring in Greenery and Art Strategically

Even the smallest rooms need life and personality. A few well-placed plants (think trailing ivy or a tall snake plant) draw the eye upward and bring organic warmth to the room.

Hang artwork slightly higher than eye level to create the illusion of taller walls. Stick to a cohesive color scheme or use oversized art for dramatic impact without visual clutter.

Final Thoughts

Making a small space look bigger is all about light, proportion, and intention. By choosing airy colors, reflective surfaces, and furniture that fits your scale, you can create a home that feels spacious, stylish, and completely you - no remodeling necessary.

Even the smallest studio can feel like a sanctuary when every element is thoughtfully designed.