How to make your home look bigger without an extension

Building work can be incredibly expensive and disruptive. For these reasons, sometimes when we want more space in the home it’s better to work with what we already have. Here are some ideas on how to make your home look bigger without an extension.

Declutter and organise

If you want to make spaces look bigger, an important step is to declutter and rid your home of things you don’t need. If there are items you really want to keep – such as board games – find a storage space for them that is accessible but out of sight.

Look for storage that is both practical and stylish, while being unobtrusive on the eye. Baskets placed in unused corners can be a great place to store blankets, magazines, or children’s possessions such as teddies.

If you’re buying new furniture, look for pieces that have integrated storage. Coffee tables with baskets are great, as are clever items such as lamps that are built with shelves underneath.

Choose other furniture carefully

If you’re looking for furniture, think about the flow of light before making a purchase. Sofas and chairs with open arms and legs that are raised off the floor. This allows for light to move underneath the furniture which makes the space feel less cluttered and more spacious.

Other elements of your interior design can include glass tables instead of solid options. This allows for reflection, which gives the perception of a room being larger. Try to keep your furniture against the wall as much as possible, so you have plenty of space in the centre of the room and the flow isn’t interrupted.

Add a garden room

Garden rooms are a great way to add extra space to your home without any structural changes. They are stand-alone structures, usually not connected to your main house and are great for uses such as a home office, a play room, or a relaxation zone. They are brilliant for freeing up space inside your home that can then be used for another purpose, or to simply give you a bigger area for your existing needs. 

Garden rooms are a great selling point too if you’re looking to put your house on the market in the future. 

Maximise light to make your home look bigger without an extension

In rooms that you won’t be sleeping in, consider using thinner or sheer curtains that don’t block out light. This can help to keep the room more open and appear larger.

When it comes to artificial light, choose lighting that acts in layers. This means a variety of different sources that cover all layers of the room – think overhead lights, table lamps and floor lamps. This will make sure you can create the atmosphere you want at any time of the day.

When choosing colours for your walls, floor and furniture, opting for lighter tones will help a room to feel brighter. Visitors eyes won’t be drawn immediately to heavy, dark colours, but will see the room as whole more easily.

Add greenery

Plants can add a touch of freshness and make a room feel more airy and spacious. Choose plants that are easy to maintain and won’t take a lot of work (unless you are very green fingered). Succulents are known in particular for being hardy and resilient, even without much attention.

Hopefully these have given you some straightforward ideas on how to make your home look bigger without an extension.