5 Design Tips to Make a Small Space Feel Bigger
Small doesn’t have to mean cramped — or compromise on style. With the right design strategies, even the tiniest room can feel open and architectural. Whether you're styling an apartment, a studio, or just a compact bathroom, these clever design and storage tips will help your space feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting while keeping it practical.
1. Use Light, Consistent Color Palettes
Dark, contrasting colours can make a room feel smaller by breaking it up visually. Instead, opt for light, neutral tones like soft whites, greys, or sandy beiges.
Scientifically, lighter colors make a room appear larger and more open because they reflect more light. Similarly, they expand your perception of space by causing surfaces to recede visually; while dark colors create a more enclosed feeling (which is perfect if cozy is what you’re going for).
To take it a step further, keep the color palette consistent across different materials and finishes to reduce visual clutter.
2. Let Surfaces Flow Seamlessly
Interruptions in surfaces — like grout lines, color changes, or material transitions — can chop up a space and make it feel busy. The solution? Choose materials that create a sense of visual flow.
Microcement is ideal for this. Applied continuously across floors, walls, ceilings, and even built-in joinery, microcement eliminates unnecessary joins and lines. This seamless finish creates the illusion of more space by letting surfaces blend into one another.
Other reasons why microcement works in small spaces:
It’s thin and lightweight, so it doesn’t add bulk
It can be applied over existing surfaces — no demolition needed! A renovator’s best friend.
It comes in soft, natural tones and a variety of textures
It adds a sense of craftsmanship and calm, without over-designing
In a small bathroom, kitchen, or entryway, resurfacing with microcement can completely transform the feel of the space without the need for structural changes.
3. Go Vertical With Storage
When floor space is limited, vertical storage is your best friend. Floating shelves, wall-mounted cabinetry, and floor-to-ceiling wardrobes take up less room than multiple floor units — not to mention they draw the eye upward and make the ceiling feel higher.
Choose finishes that match the walls or surrounding surfaces to avoid visual bulk. Better yet, integrate the storage into the surface itself, which brings us to…
4. Embrace Built-Ins
Integrated joinery and storage solutions help you maximise every corner without sacrificing appearance. This minimalist approach prevents the "furnished box" feeling that often happens in small interiors.
Better still, built-ins finished in microcement or matching materials to other surfaces blend right into the architecture of the room.
One of our favorite design elements are recessed shelving niches, which add storage without using up floor space. While carving a wall niche or adding a new built-in unit involves a bit more construction, it’s a worthwhile upgrade that enhances function without the need for clutter.
5. Glass & Mirrored Reflections
It’s a classic trick for a reason: mirrors bounce light around and create the illusion of depth — while windows extend your space beyond its four walls. Whether it’s with a reflective splashback, a beautiful framed antique mirror, or even a shower skylight, you can make a small room feel instantly bigger with some natural light and optical tricks.
It doesn’t take much to make a small space feel big — just smart, practical design. By simplifying surfaces, softening colour contrasts, and choosing materials like microcement that bring seamless continuity, your small space can feel bigger, brighter, and far more luxurious.