When people hunt for houses, many will look at the kitchen and bathroom and may overlook the size of the living room. However, we spend most of our time relaxing in the lounge, and the look of the room can make a big difference to our lives. It’s fairly obvious that a comfortable, inviting lounge that doesn’t feel cluttered or cramped is crucial to a happy home. If you think your living room is too small, you might feel inclined to avoid the room altogether. However, even the smallest of lounges can feel much bigger with a few simple alterations.

Whether your lounge looks too small because it’s a generally small room or if it seems small because the space is used for a lot of purposes, there are many tricks that can fool people into seeing the area as bigger than it actually is. Below is a list of tips to make your lounge look bigger, from some simple changes to some new additions that will instantly make the space feel more spacious.

Use Colours Wisely

You may already be aware that painting your walls white can create an illusion of a larger space. However, white isn’t the only option. Any light neutral colour that feels bright and fresh can have the same effect. Some examples include light beige or muted sage green.

You don’t need to shy away from colours when it comes to furniture. Bright colours will emphasise the size of a piece of furniture as it attracts more attention, so make sure you choose a colour you love.

Overall, opt for a limited colour palette on the walls as too much can make the room look cluttered and smaller. However, choose a bold colour or an accent piece of furniture to help jazz up the room and make it appear bigger.

Install French Doors

Installing French doors is a great way to make your lounge look bigger. This creates a connecting illusion between your indoor and outdoor spaces. With the wide outdoor views, your living room can appear much larger than if you simply had a closed wall or a small door to the garden. French doors are also a great way for you to invite a lot of sunlight into the home. Light rooms appear larger naturally. With this in mind, the more light you can bring into your space, the larger the room will appear.

Move Furniture Away From Walls

It can be very tempting to push your large pieces of furniture against the walls to create a larger amount of floor space in the middle of the room. What you may not realise, though, is that all of that empty space isn’t doing you any favours. Re-think your furniture layout by pulling a couple of pieces away from the walls, even if it’s only by a few inches. Seeing the space between the wall and the back of your sofa will instantly create an illusion of airiness within the room.

Furniture should also be fairly close together to create intimate conversation zones. Think about cosying up your living room by bringing seating closer together and incorporating a close coffee table as a centre point.

Let The Light Pour In

As we mentioned earlier, natural light can instantly make a space feel larger and breezier. With this in mind, avoid inhibiting any natural light sources. Avoid dark curtains that cover up the window, and don’t place large pieces of furniture or seats right in front of the window.

You could choose to go as minimalistic as possible and opt for a bare window with a thin shade. If you prefer the look of curtains, hang the rods as close to the ceiling as possible and ensure the curtain panels are outside of the window frame. This will make the room seem taller, and your windows will appear larger.

When it comes to your artificial lighting, don’t rely on just one ceiling light. Any shadowy parts of the room will recede from view, and this will make the room seem smaller. Add some table and floor lamps to bring in multiple light sources and create a layered, warm, inviting space.Choose Appropriate Furniture

A lot of smaller seats and storage furniture can make the room feel cramped and cluttered. Don’t be afraid to choose some larger pieces of furniture for a smaller room. However, it’s important to know the line between being big and too big. For example, avoid sectionals that stretch far out into the room or a large piece of furniture that brushes the ceiling. When something looks too big for the space, it instantly makes the room seem small.

Sometimes the style of the furniture can also make a difference as well as the size. A sleek, low-armed couch can look much slimmer than a highly-cushioned oversized one. Smaller ottomans will also fit in much better than a chunky coffee table. Think about your furniture choices to make the room seem as airy and open as possible.

Make Use of the Walls

When you don’t have much space in the living room, take advantage of the walls as much as you can. Hang some shelves for plants and books. This will draw the attention upwards and make the ceilings look taller. If you’re looking to incorporate a large statement on the wall, opt for a large piece of artwork or a strategically placed mirror.

Choose Eye-Tricking Furniture

If you’re buying new furniture for your lounge, it’s important to note that anything with legs holding it off the ground can allow the eyes to see more of the floor. This tricks people into thinking the floor space is bigger than it actually is. Ghost furniture such as clear tables and chairs can also be great for small spaces as these give the illusion of more space since they don’t take up any visual space.

Photo by Mikhail Nilov & Max Vakhtbovych via Pexels

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