Whether you’ve got a smaller home or you’re looking to create an even greater illusion of space in an already sizeable property, flooring can be a great tool to open up rooms and make them feel larger.
Although there are numerous benefits of a small, cosy house (less cleaning springs to mind), it’s always nice to feel we have a little more breathing space. This is particularly true if you’re sharing your space with a few people.
Flooring can often be an overlooked feature in homes, but it is arguably one of the most important. Floors account for one of the largest amounts of surface in any room and can elevate the aesthetics of interiors.
Clean and Uncluttered
The number one step for making a room appear bigger is to make sure your floors are clean and clutter-free. Even a quick vacuum can open up a space, as dust and dirt on the floor can make the mind feel that the space is fuller and therefore smaller.
Regularly cleaning your floors will not only create the illusion of a larger space but help you to keep things organised by avoiding leaving things lying around. You’ll also be more accustomed to moving around furniture, like your coffee table and can gain an insight into the best furniture arrangement to maximise space.
Avoid leaving unnecessary items on the floor and even limit the amount of furniture. Rugs can be a great addition to a space; they offer noise reduction, protect your floors and add a cosy feel, but they also make a room look smaller. If you do choose to use rugs, then opting for lighter coloured with little or no pattern will help to keep the space open. Heavy patterns or bold colours can make a room feel busier.
What Kind of Flooring is Best to Make a Room Appear Bigger?
When selecting the type of flooring to use, engineered wood is the best option. There are numerous styles of engineered wood that can help open up a space and make it look bigger.
Herringbone and chevron designs are both excellent at making spaces feel bigger. Installing boards that run parallel to the longest wall in a room tricks the mind into thinking the area is more spacious.
If you want to opt for traditional planks, you should go for ones that are bigger rather than using strips of flooring. This is because the larger the plank, the less definition and therefore the less cluttered the room will look. You can find these floor surfaces in a range of colours and styles, but the more minimalist the better. Distressed wood can create a beautiful effect, but can feel too ‘busy’ in a smaller room.
For a more economical option, luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) can be a great choice. These are particularly good for areas such as the bathroom and kitchen, as they boast excellent waterproofing properties. Choose tiles which are at least 12 inches to avoid the space looking cluttered.
Does Light or Dark Flooring Make a Room Look Bigger?
Both light and dark flooring can work to make a room look bigger. While light flooring opens up a space and reflects more light back into the room, dark flooring absorbs the light and offers depth to a room.
If you’re struggling to pick between light and dark flooring, we recommend you consider how else you’re intending to decorate the room. If you’re already considering using light colours to reflect more light and bring an airy and spacious feeling to your walls, you can opt for a dark floor to benefit from both dark and light shades enlarging effects.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to use darker colours on your walls to create that feeling of depth and hide corners, making them appear further away, you can opt for a light floor to add more light to the room and avoid it seeming too dark.
Try Before You Buy
If you’re looking to update your flooring while making your house appear bigger, we recommend ordering free samples to see how they look in your house. You may be surprised by how some white-washed laminates reflect light, or how dark flooring doesn’t actually look how you’d imagine when you see it inside your home.
Take your time picking the right floor for you, high-quality flooring will last many years, so you want to make sure you get it right.
