When preparing your home for sale, paint colour is one of the most underestimated decisions you can make. The right choices can meaningfully increase buyer interest and the perceived value of your
Tips to make a small room look bigger
Dated: April 4 2026
Views: 84
Home Staging & Design Tips
Make Any Room Feel Bigger — Without Moving a Wall
Six budget-friendly design tricks that can transform a compact space — and add serious appeal when it's time to sell.
Whether you're sprucing up your Vernon home for the market or simply want to enjoy it more while you're living in it, making a room feel larger doesn't have to mean knocking down walls or spending a fortune. A few thoughtful design choices — with no renovation required — can dramatically change how a space looks and feels.
Here are six tried-and-true tips that work in any room and suit every budget.
1. Lighten up your walls
Lighter paint colours instantly open up a room, making it feel airy and expansive. White is a timeless classic, but soft neutrals, gentle pastels and muted tones achieve the same effect. Dark, saturated colours absorb light and visually shrink a space — they can feel cozy and dramatic, but if your goal is to maximize the sense of size, lighter is better. This is an especially easy win in Vernon's older homes, where rooms can sometimes feel a bit closed in.
2. Use mirrors to visually double your space
Mirrors are one of the most effective — and affordable — tools for making a room feel larger. A full-length mirror, a statement floor-to-ceiling piece, or a large framed mirror hung above a console or sofa creates depth and reflects light beautifully. For maximum impact, position mirrors opposite windows so they bounce natural daylight throughout the room.
3. Streamline your window treatments
Heavy drapes can visually shorten walls and interrupt the flow of a space. For a cleaner, more open look, consider low-profile blinds or shades that tuck neatly out of sight. If you love curtains, choose sheer fabrics or panels that closely match your wall colour — this keeps the room feeling continuous and uninterrupted.
4. Clear the floor and edit your furniture
Crowded rooms always feel smaller. Removing just one oversized or unused piece of furniture can make a dramatic difference. When choosing new pieces, look for options scaled appropriately for the room — apartment-sized sofas and slim-profile chairs offer comfort and style without overwhelming the layout. This is one of the first things buyers notice when touring a home.
"Removing just one piece of furniture can dramatically improve the sense of space — and buyers notice immediately."
5. Choose furniture that feels visually light
Open, airy furniture helps extend sightlines and prevents a room from feeling boxed in. Great options to consider:
- Glass or acrylic coffee tables that let the eye travel through
- Dining tables with slim, clean silhouettes
- Chairs and sofas with visible legs rather than floor-length skirting
- Clear resin or lucite pieces for a modern, open feel
6. Keep patterns and décor simple
Bold patterns and heavy textures can dominate a small room. Opt instead for subtle prints, minimal accessories and a cohesive colour palette to maintain a sense of harmony and openness. One or two statement pieces will shine far more when the rest of the room feels balanced and calm.
Maximizing a small space doesn't mean compromising on style. With the right combination of colour, light, and thoughtful furniture choices, any room can feel brighter, larger and more inviting — whether you're enjoying it every day or preparing it to impress buyers.
Get in touch:
Jake Russell
Personal Real Estate Corporation
(250) 260-0789
Royal LePage Downtown Realty - Vernon
(250) 545-5371
4007 32 ST
Tips to make a small room look bigger
Jake Russell
North Okanagan Realtor® since 2007. Combining genuine relationships with smart marketing strategy, I help families buy and sell with confidence. Your goals become my mission, whether that's maximi....
Latest Blog Posts
Home Tips · Vernon BC Real EstateHow to Organize Your Garage in Vernon BC — And Actually Keep Your Car Inside All WinterOne weekend of work now will save you every dark, freezing
Home Buying Tips · Vernon BC Real Estate7 Costly Homebuying Mistakes Vernon BC Buyers Should Avoid — And How a Local Realtor Can HelpThinking about buying a home in Vernon or the North
First-Time Buyers · Government ProgramsBig News for First-Time Buyers: Up to $50,000 in GST/HST Relief Is Now AvailableA new federal rebate is officially open for applications — and it