HOW TO MAKE YOUR SMALL SPACE LOOK BIGGER | 15 SPACE SAVING DESIGN HACKS

[@KristenMcGowan]

Happy Sunday everyone✨ I have recently been getting a lot of questions from you guys on decorating & designing small rooms around your homes! I hope this video answers your questions & gives you some ideas on how you can improve your small living space :)

[@auntmary6544]

Hi Kristen-great ideas! I saw a basket in your video which I adore🥰!! It’s the whitewashed one at time stamp “6:43”. Do you have a link as to what it is and who sells it? Bless you!!

[@mackeymec]

Please mention the colours also look condo bigger

[@itsdelbaplaysandstuff507]

Y

[@shannonsmith924]

Kristen McGowan I know your videos have inspired me to redo my room. It’s all purple and I don’t like it. Plus I redid my closet to have my clothing hanging on the wall in such a small closet I have no way to install lighting. I used battery lighting but I’m tempted to get a hanging plug in pendant light to hang into the ceiling to provide all the light Id need

[@jacquelinehite2622]

You are such a inspiration to me! You have taught me so much, thank you. Also YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL 😍 ❤

[@vb8801]

Going to have to echo the sentiment that not a single one of your examples showed a small room. You gave great styling advice for home decor in general just not for small spaces specifically.

[@anneallen3566]

My thoughts exactly.

[@djjones7039]

Totally agree

[@ashleys3365]

Make space look bigger: 1. Scale furniture size to room , keep furniture off walls, multipurpose furniture, see through furniture pieces, longer legged furniture 2. Big rugs anchor space - anchor furniture on rug, utilize large mirrors (opposite of window will bounce light), hang curtain rods as close to ceiling, find decor that hides clutter aka baskets, mount your TV 3. Paint baseboards and crown molding same color as walls - can also paint doors same color, paint one accent wall/piece, can utilize wallpaper with a large scale pattern on it

[@leathelandlady]

Thanks. Because I didn't want to watch this 10 min video with 5 ad breaks!

[@christyl7698]

MVP comment. Thank you for saving my time!

[@rickgeller6043]

@@leathelandlady I didn't want the adds interrupting the boring video. I'll have to find another channel with more adds less content.

[@leathelandlady]

@@rickgeller6043 me too. I get ads, every 2 mins is excessive.

[@ChxAlfBrdBwl]

🙏 🙏

[@katherinebennett4990]

Your example rooms are bigger than my whole flat... :(

[@Nina-ur3ld]

At lease you are Not paying so much rent

[@katherinebennett4990]

@@Nina-ur3ld moving to Hong Kong, £2,000 a month for a tiny studio flat unfortunately

[@dianewinfield5798]

The rooms are larger than my apartment living area. Not allowed to paint in my apartment.

[@michellefaith1705]

@@savemoneysaveplanet I didn’t see any videos similar to this one

[@savemoneysaveplanet]

@@michellefaith1705 my first 2 videos are about my apartment. Check my playlists.

[@morganellabean]

I'm downsizing from a 1700 sqft ranch house to a 500 sqft studio. I got rid of most of my stuff but am putting a lot of thought into how to decorate the space to keep the open and airy look that I really like. Your videos have been super helpful!

[@clairecalderon5456]

I have a tiny home! Years ago I would have never thought I would enjoy it but there are so many advantages! These tips are great!

[@sophiejew]

I completely agree with her point about rugs, however they cost a crazy amount 😭

[@johnnyg7899]

Go to rugs.com they are always having amazing sales. I just purchased my living room rug and paid less than $100 for it. Same rug at Lowes or Home Depot sells for $300.

[@AmandaDavis6130]

I got a nice big one for $70 from Habitat for Humanity’s Restore.

[@jeninamillion5297]

World Market Website has some amazing rug prices.

[@dianal3627]

I get my rugs on amazon.

[@kjw1603]

You can buy used like new rugs on the internet and rent a steam cleaner for about $20, saves a ton of money and removes tons of allergens at the same time.

[@themadbuzzcutter]

How do you give advice on small spaces while showing examples of enormous rooms??? Seriously, show me how to keep furniture away from the walls in my tiny house... pffft

[@juste.une.mouche]

yepppp agreed

[@tnijoo5109]

Yeah if you have enough room to have things away from the wall, that’s a pretty big space. I don’t think she actually knows what a small space is.

[@alinet9937]

really - she is doing a great job. - be nice

[@jeetjeet7882]

Good one👍

[@dianereyes3429]

Totally agree. Makes no sense!!!

[@chelsealaw9211]

Regardless of what people consider small its learning these concepts that are simple, but you don't even think about how much they work. Thank you!

[@naimahq8739]

This chick is adorable! Full of light when she speaks. Glow on girl! 🙌🏽 -Nai

[@chasevlogs9429]

I can’t express to you how helpful this video was for me! I’m currently in the process of moving into my very first apartment by myself and you just helped me tremendously 🙏🏿 thank you so much

[@mypawfectfamily]

I love the quality of your videos! Have no idea how you manage to upload so often!! We love a hustling queen!

[@KatherineTheGr8t]

That is the smallest, cutest little bed I've seen for a toddler girl, it turned out really nice.

[@patchingmagic]

Er I thought this was a video about SMALL rooms! these rooms are really big!

[@user-jd1cp1nk1p]

I agree. 14sqm and up is not small anymore...

[@farolitodepapel]

Small is a dining/living room that’s 2.6 m x 4m with 4 doors and 2 windows.

[@emasoruk]

now whenever I see American living in a individual house, talking about small room, I auto correct it to " how to make an decent sized room looks bigger". US house size on average (i repeat, on AVERAGE) are almost the biggest in the world, their idea of a small room is really different from Asian/European

[@merliciamelius8709]

@@emasoruk very true americans generally have larger spaces

[@magnushultqvist]

Our bedroom is 3,2 m x 3,5 sqm and the children's room is 2,7 x 2,5 sqm. That is small.

[@amylewis7563]

I guess this shows how much of these I watch because I know all of these, and use them. They are all great tips and really make a difference. The best ones are pulling ur furniture off the walls and buying longer curtains and hanging rods higher. Game changers. Great video! 🤓🤓

[@nurho89]

How to make small space look bigger? Have less stuff 😂

[@hollywithe3525]

Periodt 😂

[@hectorpacheco5154]

A single chair in each room

[@sofiarodriguez6768]

Less and smaller

[@kannadream3925]

Nothing

[@ndhrhndhrhndhrh]

My mom turns crazy if she notice any house item become less😥

[@farolitodepapel]

When you say small, you’ve got no clue what small really is.

[@TheNijagara]

Exactly

[@Salieri2024]

That's what she said.

[@shanx7706]

Yup

[@ahmedabdullahraiyan8419]

@@Salieri2024 why why why did you make that comment first, I was gonna do that 😂

[@ahmedabdullahraiyan8419]

@@Salieri2024 why why why did you make that comment first, I was gonna do that 😂

[@magmarok8209]

Living out of an 8’ pickup truck bed camper that I made out of wood, currently modifying the roof to have a built in clamshell tent so I can turn the old bedroom into an extra storage area

[@luckymaria]

These interior examples are s seriously proving your point,I loved ot how clear and effortlessly you said it all. Spotless video!

[@theeluannesantos]

I found your channel two days ago and have been binge watching your older videos. I love your work! I’m looking for an apartment and will definitely be using your tips and inspiration to decorate it.

[@jessica-la5071]

One bedroom small apartment. And I love home decor. So I love ALL the tips on styling a small space. :)

[@AlexS-oj8qf]

The thing about small furniture is that they're not comfortable.

[@AlfaJones]

Plus if you need seating for lots of people often you want the bigger pieces.

[@madeleineh5651]

I’m living in a rental 2-bedroom apartment. I have million ideas for my space, but if you got some rental friendly ideas, I’d love it😊

[@RustyDice]

Bravo - I'm going to spend today on a re-design. Just moved into our first home and the opportunities are overwhelming. This is the perfect guide to focus the mind!

[@djosephine]

I like the tip about the wallpaper. I’ve read everywhere that to make your space look bigger is to have all white walls, well I do and my space now looks bigger but boring. I was worried that putting up busy wallpaper might make the room look more compressed.

[@Kayyvr]

Great tips. I went from a 4 bedroom, 3 bath apartment to a 1 bedroom 1 bath, and now I’m moving into an efficiency/studio so I definitely needed ideas on how to furnish the tiny space that I have.

[@AngelaMcHugh-e2p]

Thanks for the information on paint. I'm fixing to start my tiny house 360sq foot. And I love color.

[@TheMocao]

I’ve been guilty of the “against the wall”. These tips will come in handy in my next space.

[@vibrantly50]

Just moved into an apartment in Aveiro, Portugal! We did not ship a container with furniture so, starting over with all new. Thanks so much for your tips!

[@ibislife]

Good tip, I angled my Stressless, and suddenly I got a clear view from my sofa to the kitchen and the french doors out into the garden! 🌸

[@HeronCoyote1234]

I’m downsizing to a one-bdrm 840 sq ft apartment. The living room is 13’x18’. I’m being given a new dining room table and chairs, and a new loveseat. I’m also taking a small coffee table and two recliners (one big, one small, although I think the small one will go in the 13’x14’ bedroom). I like the idea of pulling things away from the walls and into clusters for conversations. With, of course, a big enough rug underneath.

[@kenbuenaventura8298]

“how to make small rooms look big” Proceeds to show pictures of large rooms

[@GlynisMarthinussen.]

Absolutely love your hair colour and it looks very healthy

[@KristenMcGowan]

thank you so much!!

[@lauraroberts6533]

Really!!Hair Goals!!

[@SusanFlowers_]

Your videos are so helpful and fun to watch. I've been so frustrated trying to figure out how to decorate my apartment. I've made some mistakes buying things. But after watching your videos, I finally have a good feel for what I want to do. I just need to learn how to use the room layout websites and design the room myself. 1 bedroom apts. are hard to decorate. My living room is 14 by 17 with a sliding glass door on one side of the long wall. On the other side is the entrance to the kitchen and hallway. It's especially hard for hobbies like sewing, yarns, quilting & painting. But you have shown some great examples of storage designs and they're so pretty. I envision a comfortable pretty living room. I will definitely check out the websites you have suggested. Thank you so much again! You are a gift to us.

[@corinaaskew95]

Thank you so much for your help out of all the people on this you tube channel you made the most sense and didn't blow it all up with silliness ! You got right to the point and did a awesome job !

[@kertneymartinez]

I’m moving into a small 2-bedroom townhome & the kitchen is so tiny! Hardly any cabinet space and probably only one person can fit in the kitchen at a time. I’d love more future videos about kitchen storage in a tiny space! I’ve been watching all your videos on organization and such! Love all of them. Thank you ❤️

[@Cesia_B]

Oh my God, yes please!

[@melodybrewer5748]

Yes! I have a tiny, I mean tiny living room w/1 wall has door and window, third wall has entry to hall, other wall has entry to dining and large wall anchoring entry to dining and wall with door/window wall 🤦‍♀️uggghhh help

[@jamielovinitt]

This!!!

[@aslanluna7605]

I really liked this video! Thank you. My house is small and your tips are gonna help me and my family feel more comfortable and happy. I think what surrounds you also affects your emotions

[@KH-wh6vc]

I just went into my living room and angled my loveseat into the room and switched some tables and lamps. It now has a comfortable conversation area! I thought I had tried every layout before, but this looks and works great! Thanks so much!

[@loricoles3004]

I love you and your decorating ideas. They are inexpensive, creative, fresh, and can be done by homeowners that want to give a new look to their homes. Thank you! Keep posting great videos!

[@careya]

I bought my first place a few years ago, and having been buying furniture for it. I spent a lot of time considering color, style, durability, long term potential in future homes, and pet-friendliness. But I just realized the reason the furniture looks off is that I ignored scale and everything is too big. A painful realization. Now I’m looking for solutions. Thanks for the great videos.

[@greeeneyes91]

Finally a video on this topic that has new tips and is not repeating the same tricks all over. Thank you, I learnt some new tricks!

[@patriciakelso9811]

Thank you! My living room is transformed. Great ideas and tips, free!

[@jonellekatene5142]

Life saver of a video,Thank you so much! I was going make a ton of errors for my tiny home.

[@sarabz7449]

So I don't know what is small for you look very big to me who is living in an european city haha I am moving to a 27 square meter appartment. Yes Appartment so thanks for the video I wish I could use all your advices. Sometimes you just cannot push walls.. It would be great if you got other video on this topic and would be very helpful

[@Kortita]

I was thinking the same! I guess we have to adapt some ideas, like the cortains one. Love from Uruguay! 🖖🏾

[@radmoonable]

Same. My studio apartment is probably smaller than that living room and my apartment is considered relatively large in my city.

[@yulia7191]

I feel like I learned a lot about decorating a room in a way that makes it look nice from this video. Thank you!

[@cagermanboy]

Thank you Kristen! Your spirit is uplifting and I am proud of your hard work and will to share! I will be implementing some of your suggestions! God bless.

[@chantalemitchell7449]

Thanks for always giving us ideas to make great use of our small spaces. I have a tiny house and for the life of me not sure how to make the layout in my small living /dining space feel open yet functional.

[@terryclark8745]

Just put one of your tips to work in my space. One simple thing - moved furniture away from the wall - made a tremendous difference! Not like I didn’t know that tip, but sometimes you need a reminder to do it. Thanks!

[@jsturkey2935]

All these videos on large beautiful homes isn’t for the majority. Thank u for assisting the majority. 👋🙂

[@KeliJean]

This video has great tips and really inspired me! Thank you! The tapered furniture legs and full color room paint ideas were new to me.

[@tiajones2995]

I am so grateful to have found your channel. You give great advice with simplicity. Keep it going!!

[@monikarauch301]

great hacks! I like your examples! light furniture, light painting make the room look bigger too! But as you said painting one wall in a different colour, or having one colored spot is a good hack too!

[@kathleen9812]

How about a video doing odd shaped rooms! I have a huge fireplace wall, and another wall with a bank of doors and really only 2 solid walls. Entry opens right into the space. Drives me crazy!!! I love the tips you shared in this one and enjoying binge watching your stuff! And LOVE your hair!!

[@anotherashleytoo]

Same! Would love some help with this

[@HeduAI]

Great material! Most of the houses you show are bright (many windows) with high ceilings. Do you have tricks to make one's home look expansive when the ceiling is low?

[@SJ-ev6by]

Great tips-I understand what you are saying about hanging the curtains high-but what about blinds? Should blinds extend high above the window as well?

[@maleniegutierrez2690]

Just bought a three story townhome. This video is very useful, thank you. My husband even tuned in while he was playing video games LOL!

[@Farmhouseandvintage]

I’ve just recently found you and I’ve been binge watching. Love them and even nicer is you’re so adorable and seems like such a genuinely nice person.

[@babs0203]

Kristen, what great ideas. We are currently moving into a smaller size condo, however, the view is simply stunning. Thankfully, I have SOME style sense and have watched as many decor/small space videos as I can. I will continue to watch and use as many of your suggestions as I can. Thanks so much for your outstanding ideas!!!!

[@KristenMcGowan]

So exciting!! Good luck with your move💗

[@tammy5926]

I really love all of these tips with the exception of painting the walls and the frames the same color. I think you get a better pop for the room when the doors and door frames and trim etc are painted a different color. The first thing I think of when I see walls and trims and doors all the same color is that the painter was just lazy and didn't want to tape it off. Lol

[@capitanperez1509]

Ugh I loved this video, wasn’t too long and gave straight to point good tips. Thanks I will def take this with me, I feel like I know what I want but this really gave me that extra oophm lol 😂

[@tlsimonsson]

This Video is the Best 10 minutes I ever spent on anything 🥰 Wow

[@shahnazalaghbar]

My house in turkey is pretty small I’ll definitely use your hacks to design in and make it look bigger

[@NonStopParis]

I love seeing what Americans call ‘small spaces’

[@orville4014]

Trust me, these spaces are by no means small. I would love to have a room that large. Those rooms are small for rich people.

[@gabyrocha9418]

What she called a tiny toddler room was bigger than my toddlers room.

[@sliceofpay]

I don't think it's an "American" thing, I think it's probably based on her location. In the suburbs or Midwest "small" is very different than New York City tiny apartment "small"

[@michaelabennetch6141]

How timely! I start moving this weekend into an efficiency apartment.

[@JjSylvC]

I agree with all these points with the exception of buying smaller furniture pieces. I don’t think this particular rule is 100% incorrect because bulky sofas aren’t going to help, but I do see many people in small apartments make the mistake of buying smaller sofas or love seats just because their living room is small. When in reality, having a smaller sofa brings more attention to the fact that your living room is small versus if you went for a normal sized sofa and added an oval acrylic of glass coffee table or a coffee table made with a thin profile and legs. You could add poufs or a fun sculptural chair (or normal, comfortable chair works, too) lol So if you have bulky furniture go small(er), but not too small. Think more slim. 😃

[@shahnazalaghbar]

Love your content could watch for hours and not get bored

[@farolitodepapel]

This is a challenge! I’d love to see how do you squeeze a living and dining room in a 2.9 x 4.75m area (148sqft) with a full wall window on a side and 3 doorways, one on each of the remaining walls. A table for 4, chairs, a sofa, coffee tables, TV rack, bookshelves, etc. That’s the average ‘small’ room in any city of the world out from USA and Canada and maybe NY. My dininf area is 2m x 1.3m and I’ve served meals for 5 in those 28 sqft.

[@essentiallycarley8447]

I loooove the layered rug look

[@nidhiertrivedi9498]

Hi, I love the way you simplify decor & design ideas in your video. I am looking for which furniture (white, black, brown) goes with different wooden flooring (dark brown, brown, grey) hope you can share some insights

[@cosmicblaze9748]

I have a small space...totally used some tips and what a difference. Thank you💕

[@carolinebaker8548]

I’ve made the butterflies hangings for my room and they look really cute

[@RACHELORI]

I love your ideas, Kristen! Thank you.

[@missmurda90]

Omg thank you so much for the console/work desk idea!!!

[@jkjk12687]

Hi Kristen, thank you for the informative video! Question - what color floor should I choose to make the room look bigger? Should it be light or dark? Please let me know!

[@judithmitchell4667]

Kristen - These are all great ideas and make so much sense. Speaking as a renter with a tiny apartment, I can't wait to try some of these ideas out. Thank you for this video and have a great evening. Blessings - Judith 🎵🎭

[@andreasa8486]

Thank you for all the great tips! I am doing a light renovation of my bedroom. Currently the three walls are beige, ceiling is white and the accent wall is a dark red. I love the vibrant dark teal colour and I am not sure whether to paint all walls with that (as all walls have windows and fourth one is filled with wardrobe cabinets), or do only the accent wall and keep the rest white or even try a wallpaper design with that colour. Thanks in advance

[@megangolbeck139]

This is so helpful!! I’ve gotta help my parents to do this with our house because it needs it😂 Love you and all your videos💜💜💜

[@innazaytsevaphoto]

Super great video! Thanks for the inspiration. Looks like I will finally be brave and paint one of the walls in my small studio

[@lovelylangers]

New sub here. You've inadvertently answered a question that I've wanted to know the answer to for a long time. That is should I use bigger tiles on my bathroom walls. I thought yes and now you've confirmed it with your advise about flooring in a small space. Same principle really. So thank you! 😊

[@mindblockandroid]

I agree with all the tips but while I admit that the high curtains trick seems to work, I feel it looks kinda dumb 🤨, and in a few years Nick Lewis will do a video asking what we were thinking with that trend 😅

[@sunrainsnow]

Great tips! I’m moving into a small apartment soon and this is so helpful! I learnt so much from this video

[@tiffanyglasper1707]

Wow! I wish I had theses skills 😆 I love listening to your ideas and then I hope for the best when I approach my space!

[@annolszta5315]

And I love your makeover videos and shopping hauls!

[@khweekaung4156]

You are a better interior design teacher than the ones in my college.

[@michellevergara123]

this is the only video u need to watch if you're actually looking to for small space hacks!!! loved it, so helpful 💗

[@carri9486]

I’ve been enjoying all your tips and recommendations. Can you make a video about rugs and how to pick the right ones for different areas in the house? (living, bedroom, media room etc etc) Thanks

[@pm6613]

NO area rugs if it is an open-plan studio. Keep the furniture away from the walls, centralize it; seeing more floor / wall lines expands and floats the room. Large items / few items actually work well. Dark floors and all white walls and ceilings really help. Mirrors!

[@sarahstrangeways4188]

Thanks so much for these tips! I have just bought my first home and your videos have helped me so much. I love your tips about mirrors, large rugs and hanging curtains to make a space look bigger. Also, I love your rule of 3, tips to make your bed look amazing and getting rid of labels/getting your own bottles. I haven't put everything in place yet but I'm sure it will make a big difference. Looking forward to watching some more of your videos. Sarah (Surrey, UK) xx

[@salmanh3673]

Amazing!! The best video on the internet for designing your space!! 👍👍❤❤❤

[@nicholassmith3025]

Wow! That nursery looks beautiful

[@tracyhogness1621]

You are my newest best find on You Tube.. I've already told four of my friends thanks for your hints

[@lynny95]

This is the best video I’ve found! Thank you.

[@jessymontealegre5316]

Great advice on how not to place the furniture against the wall, definitely I'll follow your advice.

[@amouzakis]

The leg tip was a new one, so helpful!!

[@ok-fm2je]

Omg Kristen you’ve changed sm from three yrs ago when I watched you!!🥺❤️❤️ your so pretty!!!

[@carmenest3226]

Wow the best tips ive ever heard, thank you soooo much 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@yusra-p5x]

Such an informative video, btw your hair is gorgeous ❤️

[@KristenMcGowan]

Thank you!!💗💗

[@stephaniecampbell9499]

the painting the door the same as the wall reminds me of a very European highend hotel or castles :P I love the UK. So i love this idea. Glad to see you mention it here, because I was thinking of doing something like this in my new house. but was worried if I was going too bold lol

[@jheiidizon818]

Thanks a lot! I'm about to decorate my small space. This really helps me a lot!

[@elputamen]

This is gold thabk you!!