Even the tiniest rooms can feel more spacious when you implement these strategies.
No matter if you're in a studio apartment or a multi-bedroom home, the objective is often the same: to make the most of the available space.
Rooms with ample space provide greater flexibility and freedom to utilize your square footage as you desire. Begin with a few design elements that align with your style, and then expand from there. Decorating small spaces—such as entryways, bathrooms, bedrooms, or living rooms—requires a bit of creativity. Though it can be like solving a puzzle, it feels almost magical when you manage to create extra space or add elements that make the room appear larger.

Interior decorators excel at creating welcoming and stylish spaces, as do hotel designers who transform single rooms or suites into inviting havens. If you want to learn from their expertise, we're offering an exclusive tour of some of the most stunning hotels in America, revealing the subtle design elements that make a significant impact in making rooms appear larger—and you can incorporate these ideas into your own home.

1. Maximizing Vertical Space

Aman

Amangiri, Canyon Point, Utah

Amangiri's design seamlessly blends with the cliffs and rock formations of southern Utah while honoring the region's ancient Navajo heritage. The designers aimed for a pure, airy, and expansive ambiance, using concrete and wood elements along with large windows to harmonize indoor and outdoor spaces. To enhance the windows during the day and cover them after sunset, they installed floor-to-ceiling curtains to draw the eye upward, making the space feel taller.

2. Utilize Angles to Manipulate Scale

Twin Farms

Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont

Notice that lush view? It’s not merely art on the walls. This hotel room is actually a treehouse, perched around 20 feet off the ground. Even if your home is on solid ground, you can draw inspiration from this space. Influenced by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which embraces imperfection, the designers and architects avoided 90-degree lines. Instead, they aligned the beams and arranged the furniture to divert attention away from the center of the room, making it appear larger and seamlessly flow onto the patio.

3. Maximize Natural Light

Ambiente Sedona

Ambiente Sedona, Sedona, Arizona

Even partially open blinds can significantly reduce the amount of light entering your space, making it feel darker and more confined. In contrast, ample natural light—such as that found in the atriums (rooms) at this Arizona resort—brightens the space, giving it an airy feel. With three-quarters of the walls made of glass, remote-controlled curtains allow the bedroom and living area to be bathed in light. To avoid obstructing the view, the TV can be lifted near the ceiling when not in use.
If you have curtains or blinds on your windows, try fully opening them for a day to see if it makes a difference. Additionally, if any furniture is blocking the light from the windows, consider rearranging it to let in as much natural light as possible.

4. Adopt a Light and Airy Color Palette

Nickolas Sargent Photography

The Islands of Islamorada, Islamorada, Florida

It might sound like an exaggeration, but color can actually manipulate your sense of space. As much as we adore the cozy moodiness of trends like the vampire aesthetic and Scotlandcore, try to avoid darker hues in cramped spaces, as they tend to shrink a room. Small spaces appear larger when decked out in light colors, and this white-wall, white-ceiling Florida villa is living proof. When natural light meets the neutral color scheme—and joins forces with an open-concept format—everything feels calm, sweeping, and serene. Instead of painting your walls or ceiling a punchy tint, try a shade of white or another light tone. Then add color with accessories or a small accent wall.

5. Integrate Transparent Furniture

Casey Woods

The Loren, Austin, Texas

A clear desk or table provides an extra surface for working or displaying items without disrupting the room’s flow. Positioned in front of a window, like in this hotel room overlooking Lady Bird Lake in Austin, or anywhere in a space, transparent furniture lets light pass through. They create a weightless effect and can make the space feel larger. Interested in trying this trend? Look for acrylic "ghost" chairs or side tables, or glass coffee tables and desks.

6. Highlight One Artwork

The Horse Shoe Farm

The Horse Shoe Farm, Hendersonville, North Carolina

While a gallery wall can work in a small space, a large art collection might feel overwhelming. To create a focal point and make even a compact room feel grand, consider opting for a single large piece of art. Your artwork doesn't have to be confined to the walls: at this mountain farmland boutique resort, cottages feature a canvas covering a sliding barn door that separates the living area from the bedroom. You can also install your statement piece directly on bookshelves for an unexpected visual highlight.

7. Incorporate Reflective Surfaces

Hotel Figueroa

Hotel Figueroa, Los Angeles, California

Originally built in the 1920s, this boutique hotel in the City of Angels retains its original Spanish Colonial charm. Today, Hotel Figueroa serves as a masterclass in decorating small spaces. The suite features light-colored walls adorned with a single dramatic artwork, and a glass-enclosed rain shower adds to its thoughtful touches. Modern elements like graphic tiles enhance its contemporary appeal. The suite also showcases an innovative trick: using a mirror to reflect from one room into another, creating the illusion of larger spaces.