When you’re living in a smaller space, there are two approaches you can take. You can aim to make the space feel cosy and intimate, or you can aim to open the space up and make it feel as large as possible. I’m going to focus on the latter, starting with the basic element of colour in the space.
Your choice of paint colour is really important. Lighter paint colours reflect natural light, which helps to make the room feel bigger. So choosing a light, neutral colour palette incorporating whites, creams and pale greys is the most effective approach. Yellows are also good for reflecting light if you want something a little stronger.
Choosing a lighter colour for your ceiling is a good choice, as it increases the level of light reflection and also gives the illusion of additional height in the room.
Feature walls, generally painted in a bold colour, were a popular trend for a while, but have fallen out of favour. This is a good thing if you’re wanting to enhance the proportions of the space, as feature walls do tend to absorb rather than reflect light. If you want some variation in the room’s palette, focus on painting skirting and trims in a slightly different shade.
Another trick to make a room feel bigger is to make sure your paint colours complement other surfaces, such as flooring. This visual cohesion helps the space to flow, rather than coming to a halt at differences between surfaces.
And finally, keep your colour choices for furniture and decor light and airy, and use a complementary colour palette. This will continue the feeling of openness in the space and enhance the effect of enlarging the room.