When it comes to interior design, one of the most sought-after goals is to make a room feel spacious and open, even if the physical space is limited. While architectural modifications may not always be feasible, strategically chosen wall art can work wonders in creating the illusion of a larger room. In this blog post, we will explore various techniques and styles of wall art that can visually expand your space, transforming it into a more inviting and expansive environment.
To make the room look bigger using wall art, embrace minimalism, use mirrors, select light colors, consider scale, incorporate depth and perspective, and opt for multi-piece installations.
1. Embrace Minimalism
In small spaces, less is often more. Opt for minimalist wall art that features clean lines, simple shapes, and a limited color palette. Abstract or geometric art can provide a sense of openness and airiness, making the room feel more spacious.
A few wall art types to consider are:
- Geometric Prints: Geometric art featuring basic shapes such as squares, circles, triangles, or rectangles can create a sleek and minimalist look. Prints with bold, solid-colored shapes or minimalist line drawings are excellent choices.
- Black and White Photography: Minimalist black and white photography emphasizes simplicity and elegance. Look for photographs that capture minimalist landscapes, architectural details, or abstract compositions with clean lines and a sense of balance.
- Abstract Art: Choose abstract art with minimalistic compositions, focusing on shapes, lines, and subtle color palettes. Look for pieces that evoke a sense of calm and balance, using simple geometric or organic forms.
- Typography Prints: Typography art featuring clean and simple fonts can add a minimalist touch to your walls. Consider prints with motivational quotes, single-word statements, or minimalist representations of letters and numbers.
- Line Drawings: Minimalist line drawings can be an excellent choice for wall art. Look for drawings that showcase simple subjects or objects with clean, single continuous lines, capturing the essence of the form with minimal detail.
By incorporating these examples of minimalist wall art with clean lines and simple shapes, you can enhance the minimalist atmosphere and create a visually spacious environment.
2. Play with Mirrors
Mirrors are a powerful tool when it comes to creating the illusion of space. They reflect light, bounce it around the room, and visually expand the area.
When using mirrors to make a room look bigger, it’s essential to strategically place them and choose the right style. Large mirrors can create the illusion of additional space by reflecting light and visually expanding the room.
Consider placing a large mirror on a wall opposite a window to maximize the natural light and create a sense of openness. This allows the mirror to reflect the incoming light, brightening the room and making it appear larger.
Additionally, you can use mirrors as statement pieces. Look for mirrors with sleek frames or frameless designs that align with a minimalist aesthetic. The simplicity of the mirror’s design will contribute to the overall clean and uncluttered look of the room.
Moreover, consider using mirror panels or mirrored furniture to amplify the effect. Mirrored surfaces reflect light from multiple angles, giving the illusion of an even more expansive space. Incorporating mirrored elements into the room’s decor can add depth and create a sense of airiness.
By strategically placing mirrors and opting for minimalist designs, you can utilize this technique to make the room look bigger. Mirrors not only reflect light but also add a touch of elegance to the space, making it feel more open and inviting.
3. Opt for Light and Neutral Colors
Color has a significant impact on how we perceive space. Choose wall art that features light and neutral colors, such as whites, creams, pastels, and soft earth tones. These hues help to create an airy and open atmosphere, giving the impression of a larger room.
Choose artwork that incorporates shades of white, cream, pastels, or soft neutrals. These light hues contribute to a minimalist aesthetic and visually expand the walls. Consider artwork with gentle gradients or subtle color transitions to add depth and dimension to the space.
By incorporating light-colored wall art, you create a bright and airy atmosphere that enhances the perception of a larger room. The reflective properties of the artwork help to bounce light around, making the space feel more open and inviting.
4. Scale Matters
When choosing wall art to make a room look bigger, carefully consider the scale of the artwork. Opting for appropriately sized pieces can have a significant impact on creating a visually spacious environment.
In smaller rooms, choose wall art that is proportionate to the available wall space. Avoid oversized pieces that can overwhelm the room and make it feel cramped. Instead, select artwork that fits comfortably within the dimensions of the wall, allowing for sufficient negative space around it.
When choosing artwork to place above your sofa, pick pieces that are proportionate to the size of your sofa and position them at eye-level to visually expand the room. For more tips, read our guide for selecting the right artwork size above the couch.
On the other hand, in larger rooms, consider incorporating larger-scale artwork to fill the wall space and create a sense of grandeur. Oversized artwork can visually expand the room by drawing the eye and making a bold statement.
By choosing wall art that is well-suited to the scale of the room, you can create a harmonious and balanced composition. This ensures that the artwork enhances the perception of a larger space rather than dominating or overcrowding it.
5. Use Vertical Artwork to Draw the Eye Upwards
Vertical wall art can create a visual trick by drawing the eye upwards, making the room appear taller. Select wall art that features vertical elements, such as tall and narrow pieces or artworks with vertical lines. These types of artwork naturally guide the viewer’s gaze upward, making the room appear taller and more spacious.
Consider incorporating artwork that showcases vertical subjects, such as towering trees, skyscrapers, or tall figures. These images reinforce the verticality of the space and create a sense of visual continuity.
To enhance the effect, place the vertical artwork at eye level or slightly higher on the wall. This placement emphasizes the vertical lines and maximizes their impact on the overall perception of height.
By incorporating vertical artwork strategically, you can create a sense of verticality and spaciousness in the room. The artwork becomes a visual focal point that draws the eye upwards, making the room feel more expansive and open.
6. Incorporate Perspective and Depth
When aiming to make a room look bigger, consider using wall art that creates a sense of depth and perspective. Thoughtfully chosen artwork can give the illusion of added dimensions and make the room feel more expansive.
Look for wall art that features landscapes, cityscapes, or artwork with vanishing points. These compositions draw the viewer’s gaze into the distance, creating a visual sense of depth. Such pieces can make the room feel larger by extending the perceived boundaries beyond the actual walls.
Abstract art with layered or three-dimensional effects can also contribute to creating depth on the walls. Look for artwork that uses techniques such as overlapping shapes, varying textures, or optical illusions. These elements add visual interest and make the walls appear more dynamic and multidimensional.
By incorporating wall art that creates depth and perspective, you can enhance the overall sense of spaciousness in the room. These carefully selected pieces draw the eye into the artwork and create a captivating focal point, making the room feel larger and more immersive.
7. Choose Multi-Piece Art Installations
Gallery walls or multi-piece art installations can have a significant impact on the visual appeal and perception of space.
Instead of a single large piece, opt for a collection of smaller artworks that work cohesively. Arranging them strategically can create an expansive and dynamic focal point, adding visual interest and enlarging the perceived size of the room.
Choose artwork that is divided into multiple panels or pieces. This can include diptychs (two panels), triptychs (three panels), or even larger arrangements. These multi-piece installations create a sense of continuity and flow, adding interest and depth to the walls.
Consider selecting artwork that forms a cohesive theme or tells a story across the panels. This creates a visually engaging narrative and encourages the viewer to explore the entire installation. Look for artwork that features complementary colors, subjects, or styles to maintain a harmonious composition.
When arranging the multi-piece installation, be mindful of the available wall space and the room’s dimensions. You can arrange the panels in a grid-like pattern, a staggered arrangement, or even create a gallery wall with a mix of multi-piece installations and individual pieces.
By incorporating multi-piece art installations, you introduce a dynamic and visually captivating element to the room. The arrangement of panels adds a sense of depth and complexity, making the space feel larger and more engaging.
Wall art is a powerful tool in interior design, capable of transforming the perception of a space. By embracing minimalism, incorporating mirrors, choosing light and neutral colors, considering scale, using vertical artwork, incorporating perspective and depth, and opting for multi-piece installations, you can create the illusion of a larger room. Experiment with these techniques, and let your wall art breathe new life into your space, expanding its visual boundaries and creating a more open and inviting atmosphere.
What’s next?
- Ready to adorn your walls with beautiful wall art to visually expand your space? Explore our collection of wall art.
- Read about some of the more unusual ways to expand your space from Apartment Therapy: 5 Unexpected Kinds of Art That Make a Room Feel Bigger, According to Home Stagers
