YOU don’t need to splash out on a huge home to have a luxurious, spa-like place to relax.
Instead, make a cramped bedroom look larger with design tips from interior experts.
The home pros at Instrument know choosing the right decor can visually expand your bedroom.
“Although it may not seem possible to create space without some sort of construction work, this is untrue,” the experts revealed.
In fact, they said: “Sometimes the difference between a claustrophobic room and a glorious master bedroom can simply be a lick of paint and a few furniture swaps.”
Start with the paint, and get rid of any dark colors on the wall or ceiling that might absorb the light.
Instead, choose a lighter color of paint or wallpaper, which will reflect light and make the room look larger than it is.
While “reflecting” is on your mind, start shopping for mirrors, which can also work to make a room look bigger.
“A horizontal mirror above the bed or a vertical one on the back of a door are some perfect ways to expand the space,” the pros said.
Using a mirror in place of a headboard does double duty. Headboards take up wall space, but don’t do much to make a room look larger.
Instead, position floating shelves above your bed, which “opens up” the area and also keeps clutter to a minimum.
If you aren’t sure whether shelves will look good with your existing decor, “matching the shelf color to the wall color can help to soften the aesthetic,” the experts said.
Be strategic about which pieces of furniture you decide to keep. If possible, ditch floor and table lamps in favor of overhead fixtures that give more light and take up less space.
Remember, every little bit helps open up room on your floor, so get creative.
“Try switching from two bedside tables to one or try moving the desk to a different space in the house,” the experts said.
And make sure the furniture you do keep is low-profile. “The lower furniture items sit in the bedroom the more headroom it creates, giving the illusion of higher ceilings,” the experts said.
That’s also why you don’t want a tall stack of pillows on the bed.
Streamline your collection of bed pillows and decorative throws, which will create the illusion of space, the pros advised.
Stick to solid-colored bedding when you choose sheets and blankets too. “Large quilts, blankets, patterned bedding, and throws can make a bedroom look too busy and visually cluttered,” the experts warned.
Your bed should be as simple as possible, from the fitted sheet to the duvet.
“Keep sheets to a minimalist style and make sure they are tight fitting,” the interior experts recommended. “This will give a fresh and open feel to the room.”
