How to make space feel larger in a small home: tips from Timbera Group

The real estate boom has put many homebuyers in a difficult position.
People with modest incomes and professionals who want to be closer to urban amenities and job opportunities cannot always afford apartments in the centers of major cities. Despite this, many people still strive to maintain an urban lifestyle because of the opportunities it offers. A long-observed social trend toward creating “compact” homes is driving people to choose smaller living spaces and minimize expenses.

Living with fewer expenses is becoming a new mantra, inspired by the philosophy of small houses, where the absence of excess positively affects overall peace of mind and quality of life. Some seek relief from the stress associated with maintaining large houses and endless spending on various household items. As a result, many people choose to live in smaller homes with fewer expenses as a way to improve their quality of life.

At Timbera Group, we support this philosophy and provide products that meet such needs.

Observations that will help make your home look bigger

Tips to help make your home feel bigger:

• Neutral and light tones

While dark, warm colors make a space feel cozy and intimate, light, cool colors make it feel open and spacious. For the best effect, we recommend soft shades of blue and green. Choose solid upholstery for furniture instead of bright plaids, stripes, or prints.

• Wooden flooring

You may be surprised to learn that dark wooden floors can make a room appear longer. Whether you choose a softer color or a rich dark one, both will visually expand the space.

• Use vertical paneling for wall cladding

Shiplap or other vertical panels are a simple way to emphasize the height of a room and make the ceiling look higher. If you don’t have the budget for all four walls, create an accent wall instead.

• Custom-made furniture

From cladding, cabinets, and furniture to saunas—if you want your small home to look its best, it’s crucial to choose the most compact elements. Even better, have them custom-made.

• Use a monochrome color scheme

Whatever your favorite color is, if you apply a monochrome scheme, your home will look “clean,” more cohesive, and less cluttered. Monochromatic palettes use different shades of a single color, so they don’t compete with each other or overwhelm the eye.

• Light creates volume

Light wood, white paint, and plenty of windows make a space appear larger than it actually is. Windows allow the eye to wander outside, creating a sense of expanded space. If white doesn’t suit you, try light gray and neutral wood tones.

• Declutter

This is probably the most obvious hack you should follow. Too many items in the house inevitably make the space feel cramped and stressful.

• Be creative with storage

Look for opportunities to get more storage space. Is there room under the stairs or sofa that could be used for drawers or small cabinets?

• Open doors and windows outward or sideways

To save space in small rooms, install doors that open outward. In tiny rooms like bathrooms, sliding doors can provide extra space. Instead of solid doors and walls, consider lattice partitions or wooden screens. This way, you don’t lose natural light while maintaining privacy.

• Creativity in every corner

In a small home, every corner should be used. Even the tiniest, most awkward spaces can be turned into storage. If there’s a corner where something can be stored—use it!

• Get creative with mirrors and reflective surfaces

Hang a large mirror on the wall or place one nearby. Mirrors reflect light, so even in the darkest rooms you’ll get additional brightness. They also create the illusion of expanded space, while adding functionality and style.

• More light!

Any space looks bigger when it’s well lit. Remove curtains and heavy drapes so rooms get as much natural light as possible. If there’s no natural light, add more lamps.

• Free up space

When furniture blocks light or the view, the whole room feels smaller. Space will seem larger with tall furniture reaching toward the ceiling but with smaller bases.

• Match wall and furniture colors

Contrasting colors visually “break up” space because our eyes are drawn to them, unlike lighter, neutral, or monochromatic tones. Items that complement or match the wall color don’t distract the eye and help create a sense of continuity.