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Many of us have a room in our home that is smaller than we’d like it to be. Unless we knock down walls and take on a larger renovation, we just have to live with it. That’s okay. Sometimes the best things come in small packages – it might just mean you have to reevaluate its use and/or rethink the way in which you will decorate it. Here are a handful of strategic ways to maximize a tiny space when looking to sell.
Sarah Baeumler has an eye for all things design. She stars in Home to Win and co-hosts Bryan Inc. alongside Bryan.
Decorating
12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look Bigger
October 22, 2018
Many of us have a room in our home that is smaller than we’d like it to be. Unless we knock down walls and take on a larger renovation, we just have to live with it. That’s okay. Sometimes the best things come in small packages – it might just mean you have to reevaluate its use and/or rethink the way in which you will decorate it. Here are a handful of strategic ways to maximize a tiny space when looking to sell. Sarah Baeumler has an eye for all things design. She stars in Home to Win and co-hosts Bryan Inc. alongside Bryan.
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Bright and Light Colour Scheme
1/12Bright and Light Colour Scheme
1/12Photo Credit: David Strongman
This is not a new idea, but it is one of the most effective tricks. Opting for soft, bright shades (both in the wall colour and the furnishings) allows the light to bounce from wall-to-wall and make the room feel more spacious. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bedrooms/photos/12-big-decorating-ideas-for-tiny-bedrooms-1894300/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">See here for more tricks on how to make a tiny bedroom look bigger.</a>Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerBright and Light Colour Scheme
PHOTO 1 of 12READ LESS -This is not a new idea, but it is one of the most effective tricks. Opting for soft, bright shades (both in the wall colour and the furnishings) allows the light to bounce from wall-to-wall and make the room feel more spacious. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bedrooms/photos/12-big-decorating-ideas-for-tiny-bedrooms-1894300/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">See here for more tricks on how to make a tiny bedroom look bigger.</a>Photo Credit: David Strongman
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Furniture That's to Scale
2/12Furniture That's to Scale
2/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
People often attempt to fit oversized furniture into a small space. This will only make your small room look even smaller. Invest in furniture that fits the size of the space you have (<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/blog/what-makes-furniture-so-expensive-1912836/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">here's a handy furniture price breakdown</a>).Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerFurniture That's to Scale
PHOTO 2 of 12READ LESS -People often attempt to fit oversized furniture into a small space. This will only make your small room look even smaller. Invest in furniture that fits the size of the space you have (<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/blog/what-makes-furniture-so-expensive-1912836/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">here's a handy furniture price breakdown</a>).Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Less is More
3/12Less is More
3/12Photo Credit: Lauren Koyln
Just as you typically shouldn't add large furniture to small spaces, it is also important not to fill a tiny room with too many items. Keep furniture and decor to a minimum. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/design-mistakes-home-cluttered-1918586/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">These 10 design mistakes are making your home look cluttered.</a>Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerLess is More
PHOTO 3 of 12READ LESS -Just as you typically shouldn't add large furniture to small spaces, it is also important not to fill a tiny room with too many items. Keep furniture and decor to a minimum. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/design-mistakes-home-cluttered-1918586/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">These 10 design mistakes are making your home look cluttered.</a>Photo Credit: Lauren Koyln
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More Mirrors
4/12More Mirrors
4/12Photo Credit: Lauren Miller
Creating a sense of spaciousness is often a matter of creating light where there isn't much. Mirrors are an excellent way to bounce light around and visually expand your living space.Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerMore Mirrors
PHOTO 4 of 12READ LESS -Creating a sense of spaciousness is often a matter of creating light where there isn't much. Mirrors are an excellent way to bounce light around and visually expand your living space.Photo Credit: Lauren Miller
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Befriend Solids, Not Patterns
5/12Befriend Solids, Not Patterns
5/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Patterns can make a space look busy and result in a cramped feel in a small space. Instead, opt for solid shades that will lend a sense of spaciousness. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/expert-paint-secrets-to-sell-home-1914452" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Here are 10 painting secrets to help sell your home.</a>Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerBefriend Solids, Not Patterns
PHOTO 5 of 12READ LESS -Patterns can make a space look busy and result in a cramped feel in a small space. Instead, opt for solid shades that will lend a sense of spaciousness. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/expert-paint-secrets-to-sell-home-1914452" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Here are 10 painting secrets to help sell your home.</a>Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Create Height
6/12Create Height
6/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Creating space isn’t just about square footage – height can add to a room’s sense of size as well. One trick is to hang drapery right up to the ceiling, which will naturally draw the eye upward and make the room feel taller.Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerCreate Height
PHOTO 6 of 12READ LESS -Creating space isn’t just about square footage – height can add to a room’s sense of size as well. One trick is to hang drapery right up to the ceiling, which will naturally draw the eye upward and make the room feel taller.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Use Pot Lights and Sconces
7/12Use Pot Lights and Sconces
7/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
When possible, avoid using floor or table lamps in small spaces as they take up space. Pot lights and wall lights are the best way to increase the amount of floor space you have for the essential items. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/lighting-trends-transform-a-room-1917503/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Check out these 8 cool lighting trends that will transform any room.</a>Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerUse Pot Lights and Sconces
PHOTO 7 of 12READ LESS -When possible, avoid using floor or table lamps in small spaces as they take up space. Pot lights and wall lights are the best way to increase the amount of floor space you have for the essential items. <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/lighting-trends-transform-a-room-1917503/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Check out these 8 cool lighting trends that will transform any room.</a>Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Glass or Lucite Furniture/Accessories
8/12Glass or Lucite Furniture/Accessories
8/12Photo Credit: Tracey Ayton
Using translucent materials is a great way to add light to a small space. Introducing mirrors or lucite furniture pieces to a room is a simple and effective way to do this. For more inspiration, here are <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/12-ultra-chic-acrylic-pieces-that-will-make-your-living-room-look-larger-1896836/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">12 ultra-chic acrylic pieces you'll love</a>.Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerGlass or Lucite Furniture/Accessories
PHOTO 8 of 12READ LESS -Using translucent materials is a great way to add light to a small space. Introducing mirrors or lucite furniture pieces to a room is a simple and effective way to do this. For more inspiration, here are <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/12-ultra-chic-acrylic-pieces-that-will-make-your-living-room-look-larger-1896836/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">12 ultra-chic acrylic pieces you'll love</a>.Photo Credit: Tracey Ayton
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A Neutral Colour Scheme
9/12A Neutral Colour Scheme
9/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Keep any colour scheme neutral. Bold colours in small spaces can create a sense of coziness, but it won’t necessarily make you room feel more spacious. Read more: 1<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/grey-living-room-design-ideas-1918870/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">15 grey living rooms that are anything but dull</a>.Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerA Neutral Colour Scheme
PHOTO 9 of 12READ LESS -Keep any colour scheme neutral. Bold colours in small spaces can create a sense of coziness, but it won’t necessarily make you room feel more spacious. Read more: 1<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/grey-living-room-design-ideas-1918870/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">15 grey living rooms that are anything but dull</a>.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Use Light Woods or Stones
10/12Use Light Woods or Stones
10/12Photo Credit: Lauren Miller
If you want to add natural materials to your small space, use lighter woods and stone. Again, this will lend a sense of airiness and therefore an impression of more space.Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerUse Light Woods or Stones
PHOTO 10 of 12READ LESS -If you want to add natural materials to your small space, use lighter woods and stone. Again, this will lend a sense of airiness and therefore an impression of more space.Photo Credit: Lauren Miller
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Acrylic Art
11/12Acrylic Art
11/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Adding art to a small space is a good idea, but you don't want it to engulf the room. By using acrylic art you can add large pieces without it feeling oversized. Acrylic art often has a sheen to it, so it will also reflect light.Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerAcrylic Art
PHOTO 11 of 12READ LESS -Adding art to a small space is a good idea, but you don't want it to engulf the room. By using acrylic art you can add large pieces without it feeling oversized. Acrylic art often has a sheen to it, so it will also reflect light.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Create a Focal Point
12/12Create a Focal Point
12/12Photo Credit: Crystal Ann Interiors
Choose one element for your space that will immediately draw attention (from a living room fireplace to a kitchen eating nook). This will distract the eye and change the focus from the size of the room to the statement piece.Decorating12 Staging Tricks That Will Make a Tiny Room Look BiggerCreate a Focal Point
PHOTO 12 of 12READ LESS -Choose one element for your space that will immediately draw attention (from a living room fireplace to a kitchen eating nook). This will distract the eye and change the focus from the size of the room to the statement piece.Photo Credit: Crystal Ann Interiors
