Interior design is so much more than how our homes look; it’s also how they make us feel. Between working and relaxing, we spend a lot of time at home, so the design and layout matter because they shape our experience of living in the space.
We’ve designed Pocket homes to enable you to live and work comfortably, but there are many ways to make them look and feel bigger. All it takes is a few simple steps to have an immediate impact.
From clever lighting to paint colours, we’ve compiled a list of decorating ideas for small rooms to make them appear larger. Read on for our top space-enhancing design tips and tricks.
Declutter your décor
It may seem obvious, but decluttering is a great first step to creating more space. Too much stuff can overpower a room, making it look busy and, essentially, smaller. These solutions can help you choose curation over clutter:
Hidden storage
Of course, some of the things we own are essential; they’re not items we can throw away to free up space. If you want to pack away your home office supplies at the end of the workweek or have a place to stash post, consider multi-functional furniture. A storage ottoman, a coffee table with drawers or a side table with shelves provides storage without taking up space.
Keep rooms tidy
Make tidying your home a regular habit to keep rooms clutter-free. It’s easy for surfaces to become stacked with paperwork, trinkets and charging cables. Giving items a dedicated home when you’re not using them will help keep surfaces clear.
The same goes for walls. While gallery walls look great, they can make small spaces seem crowded. Sometimes, one carefully selected piece of artwork adds all the interest you want, while the untouched space left around it creates a sense of expansiveness.
Give belongings a second life
If your wardrobe is bursting at the seams, it’s worth going through it to see what you want to keep and what you could sell, donate or recycle. Giving clothes you no longer wear a second life prevents them from going to landfill, increasing their circularity. By selling pieces on eBay, Depop or Vinted, you’ll earn a little extra cash, too. Before you know it, you’ll have some empty hangers and extra room on the rail.
Your bookshelf is another area to focus on. Be honest about whether you’ll re-read that bestseller or if it’s just taking up space. Donate books to local charity shops or find a Little Free Library near you to pass your favourite page-turners on to someone else in your community.
Consider the colour scheme
Colour is one of the smartest ways to visually maximise space, as certain shades can trick the eye into making rooms look bigger.
Neutral tones
Light, neutral tones are the best paint colours for small rooms, as they help to create a sense of openness. Soft whites, like Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026, Cloud Dancer, make rooms feel bright and airy, while warm undertones create an inviting, homely atmosphere.
Pastels
If you prefer a splash of colour, try pastel shades. Blush pinks, pale blues, soft greens and buttery yellows add depth while reflecting light around the room.
Colour drenching
For a bolder choice, try colour drenching. This is another way to create the illusion of space, as it blurs the boundaries between the ceiling and walls. It will make your room on trend, too.
Maximise light
The more light in a room, the bigger it looks. Pocket homes feature high ceilings and full-height windows for abundant natural light, but there are a few ways to maximise this even further.
Layer light sources
A well-designed room features a combination of lighting. You can work with:
- Ambient lighting, which provides an even distribution of light (think downlights and pendants).
- Task lighting, which delivers direct lighting for activities (like a desk lamp).
- Accent lighting, which highlights specific features for aesthetic interest (for instance, a picture light).
All these sources create pools of light that flood the room, making it seem brighter and larger.
Hang wall mirrors
A well-placed mirror makes a world of difference in making a room look bigger. By reflecting the space, a mirror adds depth and interest while bouncing light around the room. Hanging a wall mirror opposite a window is an easy way to maximise natural light, illuminate shady corners and open up the space.
Keep windows clear
Windows invite natural light into rooms, so keeping them clear of obstructions can make rooms look bigger. By placing furniture against the walls rather than the windows, you’ll maximise natural light and maintain sightlines that extend beyond your home to the outside world, providing uninterrupted views and creating a sense of expansiveness.
Clever furniture arrangement
Whether you’re looking for decorating ideas for a small living room or a bedroom, furniture is a great place to start. This is because the proportions and placement of furniture can impact how spacious a room looks.
Push furniture up against the walls
First off, place your furniture against the walls to leave a clear path through the room. This not only provides easy access but also enhances the flow and maximises space.
Select space-saving furniture
A bed frame or sofa that’s low to the ground can make a room look bigger simply by leaving lots of space above it. This creates the illusion of even higher ceilings.
Additionally, you can look for furniture that folds away. Pieces like an extendable dining table are perfect for hosting family or friends for dinner and can become compact when it’s just you at home.
The floor is yours
Flooring can also make a small room look bigger. It’s wise to keep textures and patterns simple, as anything too complex can make the room look busy and crowded from the ground up. Even the direction and size of the floorboards can make the space appear longer or wider.
Add a rug
If you want to add warmth or zone an area in the room, placing a rug on the floor is an easy way to achieve this. Choose colours that complement your room’s scheme to provide visual continuity while adding warmth and texture, creating a cosy ambience.
Smart city living at Pocket developments
When you own your home, you can unleash your inner interior designer without living by a landlord’s rules; you’re free to decorate as you please. The space-enhancing strategies listed above will help you add a personal touch to your Pocket home.
Explore our developments and create a My Pocket account to find out which apartments you could be eligible for.