Make a small room feel more spacious with these flooring tips

While small rooms can feel cosy and inviting, sometimes you will want to create the illusion of more space. Flooring is a simple way to do this and can make more of a difference than you might think. Here are our top tips to open up a small room and make it feel and look larger.

Opt for light colours

No matter what type of flooring you choose, go for lighter colours to create a spacious feel. Vinyl flooring, laminate flooring and carpets are available in such a vast range of colours that there is bound to be the right light shade for your room. Off-white shades are a great choice and instantly brighten a room, making it feel more spacious. If you are worried about stains or dirt, go for vinyl or laminate rather than carpet, as this is far easier to keep clean and much harder to stain.

If anything in the white family is a little light for your tastes, neutrals are another great choice. Be sure to stick to the lighter end of the spectrum and avoid anything too dark, as this can make your room feel even smaller.

Don’t be afraid to add shine

A gloss finish is another excellent way to create a spacious feel in a small room. The glossy surface will reflect light, making space feel larger and airier. Even if you prefer to go for a darker floor than the colours mentioned above, choosing one with a shine will make your room appear larger and brighter than if you opt for a matte surface. If gloss is a bit much for you, a gentle sheen will have a similar effect. Another advantage is that floors finished with a gloss or sheen tend to be easier to clean, as they have a smoother surface than textured alternatives.

Use pattern to create length

It is commonly known that laying planks of wood, laminate or vinyl across the room’s width creates the illusion that it is wider, which works exceptionally well in smaller spaces. The eye is drawn along the edge of the planks, making the room appear larger than it is. You can similarly use patterned vinyl or carpets; for example, laying a striped carpet so that the stripes run across the width of the room will create the same illusion.