Ways to Make Small Spaces Feel Bigger and Brighter

Use Light and Cool Paint Colours 

Starting with the most important thing in the room, colour and painting. Paint colour creates a big impact on how a room feels through your eyes. To make your room feel brighter, you want to use a light colour to reflect the light and keep it natural. On the other hand, dark colours will absorb the light and make everything look more closed in. 

Brighter and lighter colours, such as white, off-white, cream, or grey, work well on walls and ceilings. And try to stick to 2 or 3 main colours to avoid visually breaking the space up. If you are refreshing the whole room, using a paint sprayer can help you achieve a smooth, even finish much faster.

Don’t worry if you think your room is too bland or monochrome. You can always touch up with some decorations, plants, furniture, and bedding.  

For bedrooms, we recommend using light-coloured and warmer shades like beige. These tones can open up the small space and, at the same time, offer a relaxing sensation that you need.  

Painting your room is a simple DIY task with a paint sprayer and a secure step ladder. You can do it over the weekend and see a big difference. Before you start, prepare your walls for a smooth finish. Use a drywall sander to get rid of any scuffs and let the paint stick better to the walls.  

Choose the Right Lighting 

Lighting is more important than you think! Good lighting will spread brightness evenly across the room and remove any dark spots. For the main lighting of the room, you want to go with something soft but with a bright glow, like warm white/ yellow bulbs.  

You don’t have to stop with one light source. Be creative and layer up the lighting with wall lights, floor lamps, and table lamps. Look out for darker areas and do not be afraid to add lighting in these spaces, such as wardrobes, under tables, and under kitchen worktops to illuminate the sink and hob. 

The choice of lighting sources depends on what space you're trying to illuminate. Wall lights and a table lamp will be good for a small bedroom. Or if you want to light up the hallway without blocking the pathway, wall-mounted lights will be better.

Adding Mirror and Reflective Materials 

A mirror does more than show your reflection. It'll also add depth to the room by reflecting the view and the light. A large piece of mirror creates a sense of extra space where there is none.  

Choose a large or full-length mirror and place it opposite or near the window to reflect daylight. You'll see the effects instantly. Mounting the mirror on the wall can save more floor space if you have the right drill and masonry bits.  

Think of reflective material like glass and metallic items. They'll make things feel light and create an open visual. Glass furniture, such as a glass coffee table or glass shelves, allows light to pass through and expose the floor space.  

Maximise Natural Light 

If you notice, big rooms often have big windows and are full of light. By nature, you'll feel more comfortable and relaxed if there's plenty of natural light. And that’s why you should find a way to make the most of any daylight you can get from outside.  

Keep your windows fully visible and not blocked by furniture or shelves. Even something as simple as cleaning your windows regularly over the weekend can make a big difference.  

The next thing is curtain. Light-coloured or sheer curtains work best, and remember to keep them open during the day. Fabrics like cotton and voile will let the sunshine stream through and make your room feel airy even when closed.

Curtain poles should be placed higher than your windows to create a sense of height. Installing them is an easier task with a drill, a driver, and a safe step ladder. 

Change Room Layout 

The simplest rule for room layout is to keep everything minimal. A messy room with too many items will definitely make it look overwhelmed. Keep your room tidy and put away unnecessary items from the floor, table surface, and walls. Leave the room with empty spaces and fewer decorations.  

Arranging and choosing furniture smartly will create a sense of roominess. Avoid too large and bulky items that can overwhelm the room and block the pathways. Slim and leggy furniture will help expose the floor and create an open, airy feel. 

Furniture that sits flat on the floor can block airflow in your room and make the room feel heavy. Instead, install floating tables, TV stands, and shelves so you'll have even more space to move around. 

Keep the Floor Visible 

The more floor you see, the more spacious it'll feel. Picking a light colour for the flooring and rug helps reflect the light and keep the space brighter.  

It goes without saying to keep the floor free from unnecessary items and boxes. One big rug is better than several small ones to keep the space clean and feel connected. Clean them regularly with a professional carpet cleaner to maintain a bright and clean appearance.  

Use Vertical Setup 

When the floor space is maxed out, you can add vertical layouts to your room to draw the eye upward and make it feel taller. For example, you can choose vertical storage for kitchens and bathrooms or install tall bookshelves instead of wide models.  

One important thing to keep in mind when installing any items on the wall: check for the hidden pipes and electrical cables before drilling. You can hire a cable detector to do this and avoid damage. 

Add Plants  

Having a touch of nature in your room will give a sense of freshness and brightness. Plants are an effective way to improve air quality and add life to small spaces.  

You can get creative with various plant types or coloured pots to make the space livelier. However, it’s best to keep things balanced and avoid overcrowding your room with too many plants. The size of plants should be suitable for your room size. Go for a small plant such as snake plants, peace lilies, or aloe vera if your bedroom is small.  

In living rooms, slightly larger plants can work well if they do not dominate the space. For example, spider plants are ideal for shelves or hanging baskets, and pothos trails beautifully if you place them on high surfaces. 

Start Improving Your Space This Weekend 

Making your space brighter and bigger isn’t about big renovations. The key is to work with what you already have by choosing proper paint colours, lighting, and layout. With the right tools and materials, many of these changes can be done over the weekend.  

Ready to get started? Hire DIY tools from Speedy today and give your space a brand-new look! Order fast delivery or collect from over 100 Speedy Hire depots to get access to reliable DIY tools & equipment.