Swap in Floor to Ceiling Drapes

Floor to ceiling drapes accentuate the height of any room, giving the illusion of a larger, airier space. “I always recommend hanging the curtain rod as close to the ceiling as you can while giving it some room to breathe, and having your drapes touch the floor versus stopping right above it,” says Alex Bass, founder and CEO of Salon 21. “This will draw your eye up and make your room feel not only more spacious, but more luxurious.”

Harness the Power of Paint

Paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make your home look bigger and brighter. It’s also a great way to play with current trends. To create the illusion of a bigger space, “opt for lighter hues in white, off-white, pale neutrals, and pastels,” says Stephanie Short Campbell, interior stylist and founder of Onassis & Claire. “These colors will reflect natural light back into the room, thus creating a sense of expanded space.”

You could also try your hand at color drenching, which involves covering the entire room with the same color. This technique can instantly make a space feel larger.

Use Area Rugs to Define the Space

Area rugs can help anchor different zones throughout your space, making the layout feel intentional while creating the sense of having more space. For example, a large rug under a dining table separates it from the living area, while a soft rug beneath seating creates a cozy nook.

Choosing the right rug size is important, as well. Going too small can make the space feel small and disjointed, while a well-proportioned rug, as they say, ties it all together.

Add a Large Mirror (or a Few)

This interior design trick to make your space feel larger is an oldie and a goodie because of just how effective it is. “Mirrors are a foolproof way to make your space feel larger,” Bass says. “I even recommend several mirrors in the same room, ranging from floor length—like a pier mirror—to small accent mirrors throughout, changing up the frames. Nothing makes a room feel larger than having light reflect off surfaces.”

Install Some Crown Molding

Architectural details—like crown molding, tray ceilings, or coffered ceilings—instantly draw the eye upward and make a space feel tall and refined. Crown molding adds a polished transition between walls and ceilings, subtly enhancing the room’s proportions. Meanwhile, coffered ceilings can create depth and dimension, and tray ceilings boost dimension and airiness with a recessing the center.

Build Out a Kitchen Nook

We tend to lose space in corners, but a well-designed kitchen nook can make every inch count. Turn an underutilized area into a stylish and functional focal point with a built-in wooden bench that hugs the corner of the room, and opt for chairs that neatly tuck into the table. A large mirror above the nook can help reflect natural light and visually expand the room. This keeps your eating area tucked away—but still intentional—and opens up the rest of your space.

Play With Vertical Space

Drawing the eye upward via vertical objects or decor elements can heighten a sense of openness in any room. “This can be accomplished just by implementing one simple element—like adding a tall décor item such as a tree or bookshelf to your space,” Campbell says. This might also look like bringing a fireplace design all the way up the wall or installing vertical paneling to elongate the space. Anything that emphasizes height will naturally make a room feel more expansive.

Extend Kitchen Cabinets to the Ceiling

In that same vein, consider extending your kitchen cabinets all the way up to the ceiling. This gap can make the space feel shorter and underutilized, but extending them draws the eye upward and creates a more expansive feel. If full cabinetry isn’t an option, adding crown molding or decorative trim can achieve a similar effect and make the space look more polished.

Transform a Closet into a Mini Mudroom

Closets are great for tucking items out of sight and out of mind, but consider some creative alternatives—like an open, miniature-sized mudroom. This design leverages a built-in bench, wall paneling, and hooks for everyday essentials like hats and bags. Adding some shelves or under-bench storage can provide more organizational space, as well.

Hang a Larger Light Fixture

This may seem counterintuitive, but putting larger furniture in a room—such as a light fixture that commands attention—can actually make the space feel more grand in style and texture.

“A very common mistake in general when decorating is buying furniture or fixtures that are too small for a room,” says Bass. “The thought is that this will actually make the room feel larger because you’re not filling it as much, [but] it actually has the opposite effect on the eye. When you see a room empty, it almost always looks smaller than when it is finished and decorated.”

Make Use of Under-Stairs Space

With a little creativity you can quickly transform the neglected space under your stairs into a functional area. Consider adding built-in shelving for books and décor, a reading nook, or coffee bar. A compact desk setup with a floating shelf above can even turn the nook into a petite home office. Keeping the design clean and minimal will ensure that the space remains visually open rather than feeling cluttered.

Consider a ‘Less Is More’ Philosophy

Whether you’re a minimalist. maximalist, or fall somewhere in between, it’s far too easy to accumulate items that ultimately don’t serve you or your space. “Take account of everything and make a decision whether to trash it, give it away, or keep the item,” Campbell says. “By getting rid of unnecessary items, your space will feel less cluttered and more open.”

Make Use of Pocket or Sliding Doors

Traditional swinging doors often take up valuable square footage, which can become a hindrance in tight spaces. If possible, try replacing them with pocket doors or sliding doors that free up some space. These can be implemented anywhere in the house, including pantries, closets, bathrooms, and exits.