How to Make Your Room Look Bigger Without Renovations

Making your room look bigger with the proper sized rug like in this living room with a big rug, nice sized coffee table, and sofa.
I

am fully aware of that room - the one you think would be better if it were just a tiny bit bigger, or even appeared to be a tiny bit bigger. You want that spacious and airy feeling without knocking down any walls? Well, I've got some sneaky tricks to share that will instantly transform your space and require no tearing down of any walls. Let's dive in!

Making your room look bigger by using an oversized mirror, which is in this dining room.

A Bigger Room by Swapping Art for A Mirror

First up, let’s talk about mirrors. Mirrors are a game-changer if you instantly want to make your room look bigger. Replacing a piece of artwork with a mirror works wonders, especially if you place it directly across from a window or door. Mirrors reflect light and the space around them, creating the illusion of depth and making your room feel much larger.

But let’s be real: we don’t always have the perfect layout for that ideal mirror placement, and that’s okay! Even if it’s not directly across from a window, a well-placed mirror will still do the trick, making your room feel lighter and more open. Choose a mirror with a sleek frame for a modern touch, or go for something ornate for a bit more drama. Either way, you’re adding space without lifting a finger!

I mean just look at the difference in the space below. 

If you want to see the old dining room, here it is. 

teaching you how to make a dining room look bigger - but this one looks smaller with two pieces of art on the walls
Making your dining room look bigger with a giant oversized arched mirror on the wall and the right size furniture such as this oval coffee table, black wood chairs, and fabric host chairs
Making your living room look bigger by hanging curtains wider and higher

Hang Your Curtains High and Wider To Make A Bigger Space

Okay, let’s talk about curtains. Now, curtains may sound like something that will make a space look smaller, but trust me, done right, they are a critical component of making your room look taller and therefore bigger. The secret? Hang your curtains as high to the ceiling as possible. This trick draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of height and making your ceilings feel much taller than they actually are.

And don’t just stop at hanging them high—let the curtains extend well past the edges of the window frame, too. This simple tweak makes your windows look wider, giving your room a sense of grandeur.

Here’s the pro tip: one and a half to two times the width of your curtains. If your window is 100″ long, and you believe you need two 50″ panels, think again! By doubling the width of the curtains – in this scenario, getting two 75″-100″ panels – you’ll give your space a more luxurious and dramatic feel, instantly making the room seem larger and more upscale.

Don’t believe me? Just see for yourself below!

Making your living room look bigger by hanging curtains wider and higher - this room the curtains are high but not very wide
Making your living room look bigger by hanging curtains wider and higher
A bigger rug in the family room makes all the difference - the rug is brown checkered and the sofa is big and cozy with an olive tree, a round coffee table, and art on the wall

Size Matters When it Comes to Rugs

Alright, let’s get real about rugs. If you think your rug is just too small, guess what? It’s too small. And while that little area rug might seem like it’s doing the job, it’s making your room feel more cramped. A small rug doesn’t give your room the visual flow it needs and can even create the illusion of a chopped-up space.

The key here is to choose a large enough rug to anchor the furniture and fill the space. A well-sized rug—one that fits comfortably under the legs of your furniture or covers a larger portion of the floor—helps create the feeling of a more expansive area. Your room will feel bigger and add warmth and texture to the space!

The general rug rules of thumb are:

  • You want the rug to extend 1 foot past your furniture
  • You want all of your furniture’s front legs to sit on the rug, OR for ultimate cozier vibes, you want all legs of the furniture to sit on the rug
  • You want the rug 1 foot away from the walls
Note there are always exceptions to these rules. 

how to decorate a space - the before of a family room with a bookshelf that's too small and rug that's too small
A bigger rug in the family room makes all the difference - the rug is brown checkered and the sofa is big and cozy with an olive tree, a round coffee table, and art on the wall

There you have it! With these simple yet effective tips, you can make your room look bigger without the hassle of any major renovations. Mirrors, high and wide curtains, and the right size rug are all it takes to open up your space and make it feel like a mini mansion.

It’s all about playing with proportions, light, and perspective to make the most of your space. Trust me—you’ve got this!

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