Here's How to Make a Small Space Look Bigger

Once kids leave and people find themselves with an empty nest, many choose to downsize to a smaller home. This transition can be challenging, especially if you're accustomed to a larger, more open space. To make your new home feel more spacious, home experts recommend these tips:

Credit: Phyllis Harbinger

Kristopher Steege-Reimann, the owner and designer of Voyageur Extended Stays in Madison, Wisconsin, specializes in short-term rental properties but he also embraces small-space living himself. "We live in a 500-square-foot space," he says.

To make a small space feel larger, Steege-Reimann recommends using multi-functional furniture. He has added drawers beneath a bench for extra storage and chosen an oven that doubles as a microwave, freeing up valuable countertop space. These design choices help minimize clutter and create a more open, spacious feel.

Another designer who recommends multi-purpose furniture for her New York City clients is Phyllis Harbinger, owner of Design Concepts/Interiors, LLC (DCI Studio).

"One of my favorite sources is Resource Furniture. They're a multi-functional furnishing resource," she says. Recently, she designed a bed that transforms into a dining table during the day, creating a more open and versatile space without a large bed occupying the area.

"People sometimes get caught up in rooms, but creating zones is a really good way to harness the full use of a small space," says Harbinger. Zones can be designated for sleeping, living or dining. You can create zones by using floor coverings, a screen, a glass partition or a sliding wall that opens and closes as needed. Harbinger explains that these elements not only enhance flexibility and visual appeal but also allow the space to serve multiple functions while making it feel more expansive.

Credit: Phyllis Harbinger

Steege-Reimann suggests using mirrors to enhance and expand a space. In his own home, he has a lake view on one side and the kitchen on the other. To maximize the scenery, he installed a mirrored tile backsplash in the kitchen, reflecting the outdoor views. "It connects you to the outside and reflects the sunlight," he explains. "If you're using mirrors in a good way, it can double the windows that you have, creating another connection to the outside."

Beyond mirrors, Harbinger suggests integrating other reflective materials, such as glass and metallic surfaces, to enhance the sense of space. Their ability to reflect light and surroundings helps make the area feel larger and more open.

"You can actually create walls of glass which are much thinner so they don't take up as much space as a sheetrock, chipboard wall would take up, and they reflect a lot of light," she notes. Metallic surfaces, she adds, can similarly help to open a space, enhance brightness and introduce visual contrast and interest.

"Stripes can really be your friend," says Harbinger. "They're a great designer hack." She explains that horizontal stripes can visually widen a narrow space, while vertical stripes create the illusion of higher ceilings. If you use horizontal stripes, you could use more than one. Harbinger says, "A number of bolder stripes would really be great because it spreads the space visually." Stripes can be applied through paint, wall coverings or furnishings to enhance the overall sense of space.

Incorporating a few large pieces of artwork or furniture can help create a greater sense of scale. Select a few statement pieces rather than filling the space with many smaller objects, says Steege-Reimann. This approach makes the space feel more open and expansive than it actually is based on the scale of the room.

Harbinger also uses larger art pieces in her designs. "Have larger art that brings your eye on it," she says. "And you will make the space feel bigger." She emphasizes the importance of considering proportions when designing for smaller spaces. "When you're doing a small space, you want to make sure that you're aligning proportion and scale because those are such key components to making a space work," says Harbinger.

Credit: Phyllis Harbinger

The three primary types of lighting are ambient, accent and task lighting. Ambient lighting serves as the main source of illumination, such as ceiling lights. Accent lighting highlights specific areas, like track lighting, while task lighting is designed for focused activities, like a desk lamp. Layering these lighting types is a key design technique that adds depth and dimension to a space. "When you have a well-lit space, it does feel bigger," says Harbinger.

Natural light can also help to increase the perception of space in a room. "We've custom built sofas that have low backs so they don't go over the windows and let in more natural light," says Steege-Reimann.

Downsizing doesn't mean you have to feel like you're living in a smaller space. These expert tips will help you maximize your space and create an open, functional home.

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Success Magazine and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA and an active member of SATW. You can find her at Bluesky @CherylMaguire Read More