The colors you choose for your walls can have a big impact on how spacious a room feels. Lighter shades, especially various tones of white or soft neutrals, are excellent choices for small spaces. These colors reflect more light, making the room appear brighter and more open. They also help walls visually recede, creating a sense of increased volume. Painting the ceiling a lighter color than the walls, or even a pure white, can further enhance the perception of height, drawing your eyes up and making the room feel more expansive.

03|. Incorporate Mirrors Strategically

Mirrors are one of the most effective tools for making a small space feel larger and brighter. When placed thoughtfully, they reflect light and the views from windows or other parts of the room, creating an illusion of extra depth and volume. A large mirror can almost act like another window, especially if placed opposite a real one. Tall, slender mirrors can also draw the eye upwards, contributing to the feeling of increased height. Mirrors help bounce light around the room, making it feel more open and airy.

04|. Choose Furniture with Exposed Legs

When selecting furniture, consider pieces that have exposed legs rather than solid bases that sit directly on the floor. Sofas, chairs, and tables with visible legs allow light and air to flow underneath them. This simple design choice creates a sense of openness and prevents the furniture from looking too heavy or bulky in the room. By visually lifting the furniture off the floor, you create more perceived floor space, making the entire area feel lighter and more expansive.

05|. Use Round or Curved Furniture

In small rooms, furniture with sharp corners can sometimes feel like obstacles, making it harder to move around comfortably. Opting for round or curved furniture pieces, such as a circular coffee table, dining table, or even a softly curved accent chair, can significantly improve the flow of a small space. The absence of harsh corners makes navigation easier and safer, preventing accidental bumps. Rounded edges create a softer, more inviting atmosphere and can make the room feel more accessible and open for movement.

06|. Add Wall Hooks and Pegs

Sometimes, the best storage isn't hidden away. Wall-mounted hooks or decorative pegs can provide practical and easily accessible storage, especially for items you use frequently. In an entryway, hooks can hold coats, bags, or hats, keeping them off the floor and preventing clutter. In a kitchen, they can hold utensils or small baskets. In a bedroom, they might hold scarves or jewelry. This "grab-and-go" solution is especially helpful if you don't have a large coat closet or extensive built-in storage, making your items easy to find and keeping your space tidy.

07|. Reduce Visual Chaos

Clutter is the biggest enemy of a small space. When there are too many items on display or simply too much stuff, a room can quickly feel overwhelmed and cramped. A key to maximizing small spaces is to regularly go through your belongings and keep only what you truly love, use, or need. Donate, sell, or discard items that are no longer serving a purpose. Reducing visual chaos by having fewer items on display immediately makes a room feel more comfortable, organized, and expansive. For items you do keep, ensure they have a designated place, preferably hidden behind closed storage.

08|. Consider Ceiling-Mounted Curtains

If you use curtains, hanging them correctly can dramatically impact how large a room feels. Instead of hanging curtains just above the window frame, mount the curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible. This draws the eye upwards, emphasizing the height of the room and making the walls appear taller than they are. For an even grander effect, extend the curtain rod wider than the window frame, allowing the curtains to frame the entire wall when open. This makes the wall appear more expansive and lets in maximum natural light when the curtains are drawn back. Choose lightweight, sheer fabrics in light colors for an airy feel.

09|. Utilize Vertical Space

10|. Use Armless Dining Chairs

For small dining areas, kitchens, or breakfast nooks, the type of dining chair you choose can make a difference in how much space you have. Opt for dining chairs without arms. Armless chairs can slide completely underneath the dining table when not in use. This simple choice maximizes the amount of visible floor space around the table, making the dining area feel less cluttered and more open. It’s a practical hack that clears pathways and enhances the spaciousness of your eating area.

11|. Choose Transparent Furniture

When every visual inch matters, sometimes the best furniture is the kind you can barely see. Pieces made from clear materials like acrylic, glass, or lucite offer functionality without adding visual weight. A transparent coffee table, dining chair, or even a small side table doesn't block the light or interrupt your line of sight. Instead, your eyes can travel right through them to the floor or wall behind, creating an uninterrupted flow that makes the room feel much more open and airy. This "barely there" quality allows other design elements, like a beautiful rug or eye-catching flooring, to truly shine without competition. It's a clever way to add necessary furniture without making the space feel crowded or heavy.

12|. Create Zones within One Room

In open-plan small spaces, defining different areas can make the entire space feel larger and more purposeful. Even if it's one single room, you can create distinct zones for different activities. Use furniture placement (like placing a sofa to define a living area), rugs (to anchor a dining nook), or even different lighting fixtures to mark out separate functional areas. For instance, a living room might have a dedicated reading corner, a small dining spot, and a comfortable lounging zone. This approach makes one room feel like several distinct spaces, enhancing its functionality and perceived size.

13|. Balance Big Pieces with Smaller Ones (and Measure First!)

It might seem counter-intuitive, but filling a small room with only tiny furniture can actually make it feel less inviting and even smaller. Instead, a smart trick is to strategically include one or two well-proportioned, slightly larger furniture pieces. These anchor the room, giving it a sense of scale and stability. Once you have your key larger pieces, you can then add smaller, lighter items around them. This mix prevents the room from feeling cluttered with too many small items, while also avoiding the trap of being overwhelmed by one giant piece.

Crucially, before you buy anything, always measure your space carefully. Measure the walls, doorways, and even the path furniture will take to get into the room. This ensures that your chosen larger pieces fit comfortably without blocking pathways or making the room feel squeezed, allowing everything to settle perfectly into place and truly make your space shine.

14|. Embrace Thoughtful Decluttering

Beyond just general tidiness, being very intentional about every item you own is a powerful tool for small space living. Every single item in your home should serve a purpose, bring you joy, or fulfill a functional need. Avoid holding onto items that don't fit these criteria, as they can quickly accumulate and contribute to visual clutter. Regularly assessing your belongings and making thoughtful choices about what stays and what goes helps maintain an uncluttered environment, which is fundamental to making any small space feel comfortable, breathable, and truly luxurious.

So there you have it – our top 14 easy design hacks for maximizing a small home. By applying these clever strategies, you can transform your compact home into a comfortable, stylish, and seemingly much larger haven.

Which of these tips are you excited to try first? Share your thoughts and any other small space hacks you love in the comments below!

A simple trick to make your bedroom feel grander and more expensive is how you hang your curtains. Instead of placing the rod just above the window frame, hang it high – closer to the ceiling, ideally about 4 to 6 inches above the window. Then, extend the rod wide, beyond the window frame by about 3 to 6 inches on each side. This clever placement creates the illusion of taller walls and wider windows, making the entire room appear more spacious and airy. It's a subtle but impactful way to elevate the room's proportions and add a touch of drama.

02.| Layer Your Window Treatments

Another way to elevate your window treatments is by layering them. Layering takes your window treatments to the next level. Instead of just one type of covering, consider using a combination, like blinds or roller shades paired with decorative curtains or sheer panels. This multi-layered approach gives you excellent control over light and privacy, and it adds depth and richness to your windows. The different textures and fabrics create a sophisticated, hotel-like ambiance, making the space feel incredibly polished and well-designed.

03|. Layer Your Bedding

To give your bed that plush, inviting look often seen in high-end hotels, think about layering. Start with your fitted sheet, then add a crisp flat sheet. On top of that, place a cozy quilt or a substantial comforter. The final touch is a beautiful throw blanket, draped casually at the foot of the bed or folded neatly across the middle. This combination of different fabrics and weights creates depth and visual interest, making your bed feel incredibly luxurious and soft. It's all about building up textures to make the bed the undisputed star of your room.

 04|. Layer Your Pillows

Just like layering bedding, layering your pillows adds to that feeling of opulence. Begin by placing your largest decorative pillows—such as two or three Euro shams—at the very back, against the headboard. In front of these, arrange your standard sleeping pillows (often dressed in crisp, clean pillowcases or shams themselves). In front of those, arrange smaller accent pillows in varying shapes, like a lumbar pillow or a square throw pillow. The key here is to mix and match textures and patterns subtly. 

For example, pair a smooth linen sham with a chunky knit throw pillow. This creates a visually rich and incredibly comfortable headboard effect, giving your bed a professional, styled appearance.

05|. Stay Away From Matching Bedroom Sets

One of the quickest ways to make a bedroom look less custom and more "off-the-shelf" is by buying a complete matching bedroom set. Instead, opt for a more curated approach. Pick your bed frame first, then choose nightstands and a dresser that complement it without being identical. For instance, if your bed is upholstered in linen, you might select wood nightstands with metal accents.

This mix-and-match strategy gives your room a more unique, thoughtful, and collected feel, as if each piece was specifically chosen for its place.

06|.Overstuff your pillows 

Another designer secret for achieving a luxurious look is to create the illusion of overflowing pillows on your bed. While a truly luxurious, hotel-like bed certainly involves comfortable pillows, achieving that look doesn't necessarily mean you need to go out and buy all new, super-stuffed ones. Instead of using your standard pillowcase size, opt for one size smaller. By using a slightly smaller case, the fabric will hug the pillows more tightly, causing them to stand tall and look effortlessly voluminous.

Overfilled pillows stand up better, look more substantial, and contribute to that inviting, plush feel that defines an expensive bed. This trick is perfect for those who love the look of a cloud-like bed but don't want to invest in all-new pillows.

07|. Go With a Nightstand That Has Storage

08|. Keep Your Bed Simple

While you want to layer your bedding and pillows, it's wise to keep the core bed frame design simple and timeless. A clean-lined upholstered headboard, a classic wood frame, or a sleek metal bed allows the luxurious bedding to truly shine. An overly ornate or bulky bed frame can sometimes compete with other elements or make the room feel cramped. A simple bed frame acts as a strong foundation, letting the textures and layers you add take center stage and convey a sense of understated elegance.

09|. Symmetry

Creating a sense of balance in your bedroom can immediately make it feel more polished and expensive. Think about mirroring elements on either side of your bed. This could be identical nightstands with matching lamps, or even a similar arrangement of artwork above each. While perfect symmetry isn't always necessary, a balanced visual weight on both sides of the bed creates a calming and organized atmosphere. This intentional arrangement suggests a well-thought-out design, which is a key characteristic of high-end spaces.

10|. Upsize Your Duvet

For that truly opulent, hotel-bed look, consider buying a duvet cover that is one size larger than your actual mattress. So, if you have a queen-sized bed, get a king-sized duvet. The extra fabric allows for a fuller, more generous drape over the sides of the bed, reaching closer to the floor and eliminating any awkward gaps. This abundant, cloud-like appearance instantly makes your bed feel grander, more inviting, and undeniably luxurious, providing a plush embrace that suggests comfort and quality.

However, it's important to note that this look isn't for everyone. If you prefer a more tailored, formal aesthetic for your bedroom, then sticking with a queen-size duvet cover on a queen-size bed might be the better option. But if you're looking to create a more luxurious, hotel-like feel, then definitely give the oversized bedding a try!

11|. Add Texture

Texture is a powerful tool in interior design because it adds visual and tactile richness. In your bedroom, introduce a variety of textures through your choices of fabrics and materials. Think about a chunky knit throw blanket, velvet accent pillows, or linen sheets. Beyond textiles, consider adding natural wood furniture, a woven rug, or even a piece of art with a textured surface. These varying textures create depth and warmth, making the room feel more complex and layered, which often translates to a more expensive look.

12|. Add a Rug

13|. Add Seating (If You Have Room)

If your bedroom layout allows, incorporating a seating area can elevate its sense of luxury and functionality. A comfortable armchair, a chaise lounge, or a small loveseat can transform your bedroom into a relaxing retreat. This provides a dedicated space for reading, lounging, or simply unwinding, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your personal space. Even if you don't have much room, you can consider adding a stylish bench at the foot of your bed, which offers both a practical spot for dressing and an added layer of sophistication.

14|. Use Substantial Nightstands

Beyond just having storage, the actual size and presence of your nightstands matter. For a king or queen-sized bed, select nightstands that are wide and substantial enough to balance the visual weight of the bed. Flimsy or too-small nightstands can make the entire setup look unbalanced and less polished. Choose pieces with solid construction and appropriate proportions for your bed size. This creates a balanced, grounded feel, adding to the room's sense of quality and permanence.

15|. Choose a Cohesive, Desaturated Color Palette

16|. Add a Mirror

A strategically placed mirror can dramatically enhance the sense of space and light in your bedroom, making it feel more open and luxurious. A large mirror, either leaning against a wall or mounted, can reflect natural light and create the illusion of a larger room. Consider a decorative mirror with an interesting frame to add a touch of glamour. Mirrors not only serve a functional purpose but also act as a striking design element, adding depth and visual interest to your bedroom.

17|. Add Some Greenery

Many bedrooms tend to stick to neutral color palettes of black, white, and beige. While these colors can be calming and serene, they can also feel a bit sterile. Houseplants are a fantastic way to introduce pops of color and life into your space. Unlike colorful bedding or pillows that can quickly go out of style, plants are a long-term investment that adds lasting beauty to your space.

Beyond the aesthetic benefits, houseplants offer practical advantages as well. They can help to improve air quality by filtering out toxins and increasing humidity. This can lead to better sleep and overall well-being.  Plus, caring for plants can be a surprisingly rewarding hobby. There's something about nurturing a living thing and watching it thrive that can be quite therapeutic.

18|.Layer Your Lighting

Lighting is key to setting the mood and making your bedroom feel inviting and expensive. Instead of just one overhead light, think about layering different light sources. This means adding bedside lamps with elegant bases and soft shades, maybe a stylish floor lamp in a cozy corner, or even some subtle wall sconces. Dimmers are also a fantastic addition, allowing you to adjust the brightness to create different atmospheres – bright for getting ready, soft and warm for relaxing. Good lighting can highlight your room's best features and make everything feel more intentional and polished.

19.| Include large statement art piece

 

Statement art is another often-overlooked element in bedroom design. When revamping your bedroom, consider including a large piece of statement art. The right piece can tie your color scheme and style together, while also adding a touch of drama and sophistication. A statement piece acts as a focal point, drawing the eye upwards and adding another layer of detail to the space.

Consider hanging the artwork  above your bed, beside your nightstands, or even on a wall across the room. The key is to choose a piece that is impactful and reflects your personal taste.  A well-chosen statement piece can truly elevate the look and feel of your bedroom, transforming it into a luxurious haven.

And that's our roundup of 19 ways to effortlessly elevate your bedroom's look and feel. These hacks prove that creating a luxurious haven is all about smart choices, not big spending.

We'd love to hear which of these tips you've found most helpful, or if you have any go-to secrets for a luxurious  looking bedroom.

Share your insights in the comments below!