Every home has rooms that are too big, too small, or just right – I know the last one may seem elusive. It can be easier to fill a large area with more furniture and drama than making a narrow room look larger than it actually is. In this article, let’s learn how to make a room look bigger along with making it functional in all the ways you never imagined.
A smaller room is relatively easier to organize and you only have a few furnishings to fill it up. Below are the 5 most important interior design tips everyone needs to make a narrow room look wider and functional.
1. Expand Room with Horizontal Wall Stripes
“Using horizontal wall stripes stands as my most effective design approach for expanding narrow rooms. Horizontal lines integrated through various wall treatments enable viewers to observe a greater width because they follow the length of the space horizontally instead of vertically. Our strategy of using soft-toned horizontal paneling transformed a small living room into a broad spacious area during the latest design project.
Image by stefmturner
The room adopted a restricted tunnel atmosphere because of its plain white walls that focused on the cramped dimensions. Horizontal paneling installed in this area with a light neutral hue accomplished stretching the room visually while bringing balance to the space. The room received additional open space enhancement through the placement of low-profile furniture together with a large mirror on one side.
Our customer instantly noticed the expanded atmosphere when we used the wall panels which resulted in a room appearing larger even though we did not demolish any walls. We applied strategic horizontal approaches to convert an enclosed room into a spacious accommodation that remained both comfortable and relaxed. This effective technique effectively expands the walls of small spaces in an easy approach.” – Nitya Seth, Interior Designer, NITYANAMYA
2. Transform Space with Horizontal Light Mapping
“I recently transformed a narrow guest bedroom from feeling like a cramped corridor into a spacious retreat by implementing what I call the “horizontal light mapping” technique.
In this space, which was just 10 feet wide, we installed a series of wall sconces at regular intervals along the longest wall, positioned at the same height with warm-white LED bulbs that created this gorgeous wash of light across the wall.
Image by lilipatakinteriors
The “before” state had a single ceiling light that drew the eye straight down the room’s length, emphasizing its tunnel-like proportions, but our new lighting strategy literally redirected the eye sideways, making the room feel significantly wider. We amplified this effect by adding a subtle horizontal stripe in the wallpaper – not obvious stripes, but rather a textural pattern that created a barely-there linear movement across the walls.
The transformation was dramatic – our client’s first reaction was “Did you somehow push the walls out?” because the room genuinely appeared several feet wider than its actual dimensions. This technique works particularly well when combined with strategically placed mirrors that reflect the light pattern, creating an almost infinite sense of width that completely transforms the spatial experience.” – Inge Von Aulock, Head of Creative & Interior Design Consultant, Luxury Bedding Co.
4. Use Mirrors to Double Room Size
“Mirrors make a huge difference when trying to make a narrow room feel wider. I worked with an interior designer on a property in Sydney where the living room felt tight due to its long, narrow layout. We installed a large, floor-to-ceiling mirror along one of the longer walls, reflecting both natural light and the view from the opposite window. The effect was instant. The room felt twice as spacious, and the light bouncing off the mirror softened the entire space.
Image by sophiebayliswrites
Another trick that worked in the same project was using horizontal stripes in the furniture and rug pattern. Instead of a plain rug, the designer selected one with subtle horizontal lines, which tricked the eye into perceiving more width. Light, neutral wall colors helped as well. Before these changes, the room felt like a tunnel, but afterwards, it had a much more open and inviting feel.” – Sebastian Wade, Real Estate Consultant, Eden Emerald Buyers Agent
5. Maximize Space with Mirrors and Windows
“I typically use mirrors and windows to make a narrow room look wider and then to keep the space from getting overly crowded I use strategic furniture and wall storage placement.” – Rachel Blindauer, Principal Interior Designer, Rachel Blindauer Interior Design
Image by homechapters
6. Don’t Cramp The Furniture
Furnishing is key to creating the illusion of a wider space. Space is often considered a luxury in small rooms, the blocky and large furniture cramping the entire space can create the appearance of a much narrower space. So, always look for multifunctional pieces and make sure the furniture selection is chosen in scale with the room.
Image by homewithyoshi
Opt for lower-backed items or furniture with exposed legs that create airiness. You can also consider choosing furniture that can be folded and stored away when not in use. The less the furniture, the larger the room appears.
7. Paint the walls For Practical Illusion
Painting the walls is one of the most accessible ways to visually change a space and make it look larger. If your room is long and narrow, use a darker colour at the end to draw the eye through the entire space. This helps in preventing the space from feeling tunnel-like. Alternatively, you can also paint the entire room in one color.
Image by akindofhome
8. Decoration And Art Work
The decor you choose in your narrow room can easily clutter the space and make it seem smaller. So make sure you keep the decor minimal. The more you open the space and let it breathe, the larger the space will feel. Place Decor arrangements in groupings of 5 or 3 items on dressers, coffee tables, book shelves, etc. Also, placing these decor items on a tray helps reduce visual clutter.
Image by thesierrashome
Opt for one large art piece instead of a gallery display of smaller ones. This helps in opening up the room. But if you want to place smaller pictures, place them all in one wall.
9. Coordinate Furniture and Wall Colors
Highly contrasting colors can break up the space which in turn make it appear even smaller than it is. So, opt for furnishings that match the wall color or tend to blend with the space to give you the illusion of a bigger room.
Image by kuriosiscom
An all white room can be complemented with accents like natural wood or woven materials.
10. Make Use of Lucite And Glass Furniture
Opt for transparent materials to make the narrow room feel larger. For instance, in a small bathroom, instead of an opaque glass shower enclosure, consider installing a clear frameless one to make the space look larger.
Image by safavieh
For console and side table, choose glass, acrylic or lucite tabletops. A sturdy base of wood, stone, or metal and a glass top for a coffee table or dining table will make the room feel lighter.
FAQS
Q1: What are key strategies to make a narrow room appear wider?
A: Use light, neutral colors, incorporate vertical lines, and choose minimalistic furniture to enhance space perception.
Q2: How can furniture arrangement affect the room’s width?
A: Arranging smaller-scale furniture with open pathways avoids clutter and creates an illusion of expanded space.
Q3: Are mirrors effective in enlarging a narrow room?
A: Yes, strategically placed mirrors reflect light and create a sense of depth, making the room appear wider.
Q4: Which color palettes are best for narrow spaces?
A: Light tones such as whites, creams, and pastels brighten the area, enhancing the room’s spacious feel.
Q5: Can lighting improve the perception of space in a narrow room?
A: Absolutely. Maximizing natural light and using layered lighting can open up the space and make it feel more inviting.
If you love these ideas, don’t forget to pin the above image to your “Home and Garden” board.
