Interior Design for Small Spaces: How to Make a Small Room Look Bigger

Key Takeaways

• Light tones, mirrors, and vertical storage open up small rooms visually.

• Low-profile furniture and minimal decor reduce visual bulk.

• Thoughtful planning and scale-appropriate pieces are key to successful interior design for small spaces.

Modern interior design with cozy furniture and large bright window

Living in a compact flat in Singapore can feel limiting, especially when trying to fit in storage, furniture, and a bit of personal style. If you are in the midst of conceptualising a 5-room BTO interior design, you will know that even these newer flats are no longer as spacious as their older counterparts. 

However, small does not have to mean cramped. With a few smart design choices, even the smallest room can feel more spacious, comfortable, and functional. Regardless of what you are dealing with, be it a tight bedroom, a modest living area, or a narrow kitchen, interior design for small spaces focuses on creating a sense of openness without knocking down walls.

Here are practical and innovative strategies to make any small room feel bigger and brighter.

1. Use Light Colours on Walls and Furniture

Colour plays a powerful role in how spacious a room feels, making it a vital component of interior design for small spaces. Lighter tones such as white, beige, soft grey, and pale pastels reflect natural and artificial light, giving the illusion of a larger area. These light colours are especially effective in rooms with limited windows, where natural light is scarce.

You should also refrain from dark walls or heavy colour blocking in small rooms as they tend to absorb light and visually shrink the space. Instead, keep your palette soft and neutral, and apply consistent tones to walls, ceilings, and larger furniture pieces for a more seamless and expansive look.

2. Incorporate Mirrors Strategically

One of the oldest tricks in the book, incorporating mirrors into your small room design can instantly double the perceived space. When placed opposite or adjacent to windows, mirrors bounce light across the room to seemingly expand otherwise suffocatingly narrow walls.

Full-length mirrors, mirrored panels, or even decorative mirrors integrated into built-in wardrobes are excellent additions to bedrooms or living rooms. In narrow hallways or tight bathrooms, mirrored walls can brighten your space and make it appear longer.

3. Choose Low-Profile Furniture

When working with tight spaces, the size and silhouette of your furniture can make a huge difference. Low-profile furniture, such as beds with short headboards, sofas with slim legs, or coffee tables with low clearance—draws the eye upward and creates more breathing space around and beneath each item.

On the other hand, bulky designs or oversized furniture often feel visually overwhelming and should be avoided. Instead, opt for slimline designs with clean lines and simple forms. Multi-functional pieces, such as storage ottomans or sofa beds, are also valuable additions in interior design for small spaces.

4. Go Vertical with Storage

Small rooms often lack floor space but have unused vertical space that can be fully maximised. Going vertical with storage works great for interior design for small spaces, as it helps keep your floors clear whilst still providing ample room for books, decor, or daily essentials.

Some examples of vertical storage include tall bookshelves, floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, and wall-mounted cabinets. Consider open shelving above workspaces or floating shelves for small decorative items. In the kitchen or bathroom, hooks, pegboards, and hanging racks are clever solutions that can beautify the space and provide additional functionality.

5. Minimise Visual Clutter

A cluttered room can feel tighter than it is. To create the illusion of space, keep decor clean, coordinated, and purposeful. Smart design choices like hidden storage, matching containers, and limited decorative items that complement the room’s colour palette will go a long way in sprucing up the room’s aesthetics without overcrowding it.

Additionally, we recommend sticking to a single design theme to keep things clean and simple, and avoid having too many patterns or mixed styles within a small space. Clean surfaces, clear floors, and a consistent style make a room feel larger and more cohesive.

Minimalism is not about having less; rather, it is about choosing what matters most and designing intentionally around that.

Small rooms can be big in style and function when designed with intention. From light colours to low-profile furniture, every design choice plays a part in maximising space without compromising on aesthetics. 

As a leading interior design company in Singapore, we at M2D Design and Consultancy are committed to bringing our clients’ visions to life. As homes in Singapore are gradually shrinking, strategic interior design for small spaces is more important than ever. Our tailored solutions work for homes of all sizes, reflecting our belief that space is not a constraint when creating your dream home.

For more information about our services and how we can support you, please contact us today.