To create a home that feels as generous and expansive as possible, there are a few tried and tested approaches you can lean into. These can be especially useful if you have a small amount of space to work with.

Rather than accept a room feeling a bit too cosy, give these tips a try and get more from every area of your home.

Give furniture room to breathe

Proportions can make all the difference when you want to maximise a compact room. A good rule of thumb is to be sure that each piece of furniture has some breathing space around it. When you have limited space, you’re better off aiming to select items that fulfil your needs without being bulky. Have a piece that could be hung on the wall? Do this where possible to avoid taking up valuable floor space.

Make informed flooring choices

Flooring can be hugely impactful — let’s face it, it’s going to be all over your home! Where possible, run the same flooring throughout spaces as this will help to stretch the eye and create the illusion of greater floor space. Tiles should be larger rather than smaller to create a sense of spaciousness, and our suppliers at Beaumont tiles have an extensive range. Take a similar approach with floor planks, as wider boards make rooms appear larger.

Colours and contrasts

Don’t underestimate the power of colour. As a general rule lighter colours can help to make a space seem larger — from cabinetry to walls and flooring, think lighter timber shades and neutral whites, greys and creams as a starting point. At Fairhaven we use their diverse range of finishes for benchtops and laminates, creating perfect pairings with paint colours from the team at Taubmans. If you have your heart set on darker timber, carpet or tiles, but still want to ensure the space feels open, play with contrast. Dark floors can work by opting for a light, neutral colour palette when it comes to walls and window furnishings.

Open up with windows

While you can’t always make an indoor space physically bigger, large windows and skylights can help by leveraging outdoor space and light. Draw the eye beyond the confines of a room to a beautiful view outside! The additional natural light from windows and skylights will also contribute to opening up a space and deliver brightness to the room.

More tips for making rooms feel larger

Looking for more tips to get more from your home’s smaller spaces? We’ve got additional advice here to help you achieve just that. And if you’re looking at building a new home that meets your family’s needs, Fairhaven Homes can help you achieve that too! Start with a chat with our team or browse our website to learn more.