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The good news is that it can be simpler than you think to live comfortably in a small space. It all comes down to using a few straightforward ideas to manipulate the eye into seeing more space.

1. Declutter

The obvious first step is to declutter. It is simple to do and requires little resources. Put things away as you move from room to room, tidy up papers or cardboard boxes that are lying about, and gather little items that don't have a place to go. If an item isn't for decoration and isn't used frequently, think about hiding it or consider giving it away.

2. Clear the floors and the walls

The room will appear bigger if there is more floor space. This also applies to the area of floor between pieces of furniture and walls. When all of your furniture are arranged against the walls, the room's borders are clearly defined and its cramped size is revealed. A better sense of space can be accomplished by placing part of your furniture with some area between it and the wall.

3. Store smartly

Get creative with the way you store things and be more critical with what you choose to have out.

Multi-functional furniture that doubles as storage is a great way to optimize your space. Seats, coffee tables and ottomans with hidden storage can help keep blankets, movies, games or clutter off of furniture and the floors. You can also install floating shelves to elongate the walls and store things away from the floor.

4. Use Mirrors

Mirrors will reflect more light, create the illusion of movement, and double the size of your room. Floor-length mirrors, mirror-covered closet doors, or wall-mounted small mirrors are some of thel options.

5. Use Décor Wisely

Decorate your space with intention and don’t be afraid of some dead space. A bunch of small things scattered around can feel more like clutter than a few larger statement pieces.

Concentrate that decor in a few spaces, like an accent wall, rather than spreading it out all over. Leaving some surfaces and walls open will visually elongate the room.

6. Keep the furniture low

Furniture that is generally lower can help an area feel much bigger simply because it leaves more open space above. This applies to the leg style of furniture too; open or post-style legs will show more space and appear to be floating, compared to large furniture that rests directly on the floor.

7. Utilize lighting

Light is a cheap and effective weapon that can totally change the atmosphere of a space. The area will feel larger if dark corners are illuminated and there are numerous sources placed throughout.