Interior Design for Small Spaces: Make Any Room Feel Bigger
Boston interior designer Trevor Fulmer knows the importance of making small spaces feel large.
Designing a small space is more than just a clever puzzle, it’s an opportunity to create something intimate, functional, and beautiful. Trevor Fulmer Design, we believe even the most compact spaces can feel expansive with the right vision. Whether you're working with a narrow Boston brownstone, a luxury city condo, a beachside home, or a compact residence, these small space design tips will help your home feel larger, brighter, and more livable. Below are our five expert tips:
Blog Contributor:
Trevor Fulmer, Principal TFD
1. Embrace Light & Mirrors
Tip: Mirrors are one of the oldest tricks in the book—they reflect light and create a visual illusion of depth. Try placing a mirror across from a window to amplify the brightness. See how we used mirrors in our Home Health Haven project while keeping a modern design aesthetic. Natural light instantly opens up a room. Use sheer window treatments or go bare when privacy allows.
Why It Works: Light bounces around the room, and mirrors double the sense of space, making even the smallest room feel open.
2. Go Vertical
Tip: When square footage is limited, think up, not out. Floor-to-ceiling shelving or tall vertical panels draw the eye upward and maximize unused wall space. Incorporate vertical lines in millwork, wall treatments, or artwork to elongate the room visually. See how our Boston design studio used vertical slats in this Postmodern Naturals project.
Why It Works: Vertical design emphasizes ceiling height and brings balance to tight horizontal dimensions.
3. Opt for Multifunctional Furniture
Tip: As a Boston interior design studio, our clients look to us to maximize space and create multifunctional environments. Every piece in a small space should earn its place. Look for furniture with dual functionality—a coffee table with drawers, a sofa with hidden storage, or a murphy bed that converts into a workspace. See how we created a multiple functional space in our Elevated Eastie project.
Why It Works: Multifunctional furniture allows you to adapt your space throughout the day while keeping clutter at bay.
4. Choose a Cohesive Color Palette
Tip: Keep your palette tight and tonal. One of the hallmarks of luxury interior design is a sense of cohesion, and a restrained color palette can help achieve just that. By using similar shades throughout a space, you eliminate visual stops and starts, allowing rooms to feel more fluid and expansive. Lighter tones, in particular, have the added benefit of reflecting more light, making even modest spaces appear brighter and more open. Check out our beautifully monochromatic interior in our project Soothing Shades.
Why It Works: A restrained palette tricks the eye into seeing a continuous, flowing space rather than a collection of cramped rooms.
5. Scale Matters: Select Appropriately Sized Pieces
Tip: Contrary to instinct, using one large statement piece is often better than many small ones. Choose furniture that fits the space without overwhelming it, and opt for pieces with visible legs to keep sightlines open. In our project Vibrant Flair we introduced translucent furniture that was perfectly scaled.
Why It Works: Oversized or boxy furniture can eat up a room, while appropriately scaled pieces give breathing room and elegance.
