How to make a room look bigger with wallpaper?
When it comes to interior design, every detail counts. If you have a room that feels too small or cramped for your taste, there are clever ways to make it look more spacious... and often, wallpaper plays a key role. It's one of those decorating tools that can dramatically transform a room into an airy, welcoming space. Whether you're looking to enlarge a living room, bedroom, or even hallway, discover how to creatively maximize all your spaces.
The choice of patterns and colors
Choosing wallpaper is one of the best ways to make a room appear larger. Opt for patterns and colors that create the illusion of space. Here are our recommendations:
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Vertical stripes give the impression of height, which can easily make a room appear larger by drawing the eye upwards. If your room has a low ceiling, vertical stripes are ideal for making it feel more airy. If, on the other hand, you want to give a space more depth, opt for horizontal stripes.
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Geometric patterns such as diamonds, triangles or circles can add depth to a room without visually overwhelming it. It is generally advisable to opt for large patterns in order to erase the true dimensions of the room, and therefore visually enlarge it.
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Light colours, such as white, beige, light grey or pastel colours, reflect light particularly well and thus give a feeling of openness. Dark colours tend to visually shrink the space. So be sure to use them carefully and sparingly!
Panoramic wallpapers
Panoramic wallpapers are a great option to give the illusion of having pushed the walls of a room. Their particularity: they usually feature a landscape or an XXL image, which creates an illusion of expanse. Panoramic wallpapers are perfect for small spaces, as they give them depth and an extra dimension. With such a wall decor, however, be careful not to overload the room with other decorative elements, at the risk of visually cluttering it.
Trompe-l’oeil wallpapers
Trompe-l'oeil wallpaper is another trick to give the illusion of a larger space. Their strong point: perfectly imitating materials such as brick, wood, stone, marble or even architectural elements such as windows. A real decorative asset that will give character to any room.
When chosen and installed well, trompe l'oeil wallpapers create a unique visual perspective that can greatly enlarge a space. A wallpaper with a fake window can, in this way, give the impression that your room opens onto an imaginary landscape.
When chosen and installed well, trompe l'oeil wallpapers create a unique visual perspective that can greatly enlarge a space. A wallpaper with a fake window can, in this way, give the impression that your room opens onto an imaginary landscape.
Plain wallpapers
Let all lovers of plain colours rest assured, panoramic or trompe-l'oeil wallpapers are not the only ones that can give an additional impression of grandeur to a space. Plain or slightly textured wallpapers can also be used to create a neutral backdrop in a small room. They do not particularly attract the eye and therefore give an impression of order and simplicity. A significant advantage for rooms that tend to be narrow or cluttered. Afterwards, you can obviously bring them a trendy and original touch with accessories and furniture. Don't hesitate to play with materials, prints and colours, while ensuring that you maintain a certain visual harmony. To do this, try to focus on 2 or 3 colours, or opt for the monochrome solution. A terribly effective tip, in vogue for some time now, which will certainly avoid bad taste.
Wallpaper on one wall
Contrary to what you might think, installing wallpaper on a single wall will not break up the space in your small rooms. This technique, well known in interior design, will actually tend to enlarge it, at least visually. The goal is to create a visual cue that attracts attention, while avoiding making the room too cluttered. When wallpaper is used wisely, it can give the impression that the covered wall is further away, which visually enlarges the space. We recommend installing wallpaper with a visually strong design, such as a trompe-l'oeil. The effect will be all the more successful!
Ceiling wallpaper installed on the ceiling
If you want to make a small room appear taller, another very original technique is available to you: divert the wallpaper and use it to decorate the ceiling. Ceilings covered with wallpaper bring an unexpected dimension to the room and draw the eye upwards. Make sure, however, to choose a pattern or color that remains in harmony with the rest of the decoration of your small room in order to maintain a certain visual unity.
Each room has its own wallpaper
Every room has its own particularities. A bedroom can sometimes be attic, an office can be cluttered, and a hallway can be a little dark... What if, thanks to wallpaper, we could get the most out of these small rooms?
If your bedroom is in the attic, it may be smaller and difficult to decorate due to its unique structure. Our advice for visually enlarging it: take advantage of the unique characteristics of this space. For example, opt for a light-colored wallpaper that reflects light particularly well in order to highlight the slope of the roof or the exposed beams, while giving the impression of having gained space. In 2023, it's decided, we're highlighting the small flaws in rooms instead of hiding them.
The feeling of being cramped often comes up when it comes to small living spaces, and there's a reason for that. This is usually the space where we spend most of our time, so we might as well feel good there, right? To eliminate this feeling once and for all, we recommend playing with perspective by using wallpaper in strategic locations, for example, in an alcove, on an attic wall or around your fireplace.
On the other hand, avoid wallpapering the wall located at the very end of a corridor, which would give the impression that it is infinitely long. As for colours and patterns, you can, this time, allow yourself to opt for black or grey wallpaper, or even panoramic wall decoration, which will not fail to add depth to your room.
Wallpaper can also be used to delimit spaces or structure a room. In this case, choose imposing patterns, such as panoramic wallpapers. If you prefer a solid appearance, opt for bold shades, such as Klein blue or terracotta wallpaper. Trendy shades that we never get tired of.
Wet rooms are small spaces that we sometimes forget to talk about. However, they are an integral part of our daily lives, and it is therefore important not to feel cramped in them. The best way to enhance them without cluttering them up is, once again, to use wallpaper. At first glance, you might think that this idea is not the most sensible because of the humidity, but think again. Nowadays, many wallpapers are specially designed for use in wet spaces.
The only rule to remember in this case is to avoid dark flat colors. For the rest, let your creativity run wild. You can opt for soft shades with earthy-toned wallpaper, or embrace a more original decoration with a wallpaper with a unique pattern. If you lack inspiration, a panoramic plant wallpaper will do the trick perfectly!
Finally, come the toilets. If they are integrated into your bathroom, you can play on contrasts by using patterned wallpaper to highlight this often neglected mini space. If they are separate, our advice is to put patterned wallpaper from floor to ceiling. An original way to highlight this small space often deprived of decoration.
By combining these tips with some personal creativity, you will be able to visually transform any room into a more spacious and welcoming space in no time thanks to the wonderful power of wallpaper.
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