When it comes to room decorating ideas, most people want to know how to make a space appear either bigger or smaller. That's the way of the world so I've got a few tricks up my sleeve for you.

Successful decorating often revolves around trying to trick the eye. This includes visually manipulating the size of rooms and to hide architectural features or perceived defects. Whilst room decoration ideas may be endless, so is an interior designer's bag of tricks, including for renovations.

Two of the most common misconceptions are that dark colours make a space appear small and that light colours will make a space appear more spacious. In almost every home, owners will be trying to maximise the light and space in their rooms. However, painting everything white is not the answer. So what IS the answer? Here are some of my expert room decorating ideas to help you (or just contact me, haha)

Six Top Room Decorating Ideas To Help You

Use these tried and true room decorating ideas to help you make the most of your small or big space. Remember, part of successful interior design is tricking the eye. No, it's not cheating... it's sensible, and we ALL do it. So give it a go?

Using Light Colours In A Small Room:

Light colours can create a calming environment but also have the effect of being bland if not executed properly. To prevent this, use tonal and white-on-white textures and patterns.

In a small room, the walls are closer together so neutral colours will show unexpected or unwanted undertones. Therefore, speak with your local paint shop about the correct undertones and paint qualities for your specific room.

If you favour using white and neutrals in a small room, ensure you add texture - whicker lampshades, knotty wool throws, a sheepskin rug, blonde wood accents - for example. This will elevate the room from cold and sterile to Va Va Voom.

Using Light Colours In A Big Room:

In big rooms with lots of natural light, keep the palette light and airy. Neutrals in warm white and stone colours will add depth softening expansive wall spaces. This will help negate a clinical feel to a big light room.

room decorating ideas using ligt colours in big rooms, Plush Design Interiors, Adelaide — Image by Plush Design Interiors

As with most room decorating ideas, think about your use of texture. A big room may lend itself to large floor cushions for extra seating. So make them textural to add interest. Perhaps you could use a dramatic fabric for the window treatments and have them hang from ceiling to floor. How luxurious!

Using Dark Colours In A Small Room:

Embrace using dark colours in small rooms as you can achieve great depth and interest. Please don't worry that your small room will appear smaller. Dark colours recede and blur the lines of the walls. You can also create moody intimacy in a dark room, which may appeal to your senses too. Don't think 'Dark' think 'Moody' and then go bold.

For the best results, DON’T use a white or contrasting trim on dark walls and the room will appear smaller. Instead, use the same colour on every surface. This blurs the lines between walls and ceiling giving a magical quality. When it comes to room decorating ideas, this can be one of my faves for the right room.

Using Dark Colours In A Big Room:

Create intimacy by using dark colours in a big room, especially one with less natural light. Moody, dark blues, greens, reds, and charcoals can be used very effectively. If you have a room on the dark side of your house or one that is only used in the evenings, do consider moving to the dark side.

room decorating ideas for a dark and moody but elegant masculine bedroom in blue and tan, Plush Design Interiors, Adelaide — Image by Plush Design Interiors

If you do need to make the space feel smaller, paint trims in a contrasting colour to define the space. This is almost the best of both worlds. In a warehouse or industrial space, you may find you have too much floor area. So a contrasting trim will pull it in a little.

Using Wallpaper in A Small Room:

I love using wallpaper because there are literally thousands, tens of thousands, of beautiful and dramatic options. Rethink wallpaper. It's no longer hard to remove - in fact, some options are designed to be temporary, such as images for a child's bedroom - and you can have bespoke murals installed to fit your wall exactly.

bold room decorating ideas using botanical wallpaper in a small toilet room, Plush Design Interiors, Adelaide — Image by Plush Design Interiors

Wallpaper is definitely one of my passionate room decorating ideas. In a small room, choose bold wallpaper with a big pattern. Not only will your small room look more interesting, it will also look bigger. A small pattern will have the opposite effect, making a small room appear even smaller.

Using Wallpaper in A Big Room:

Proportion and correct choice are key here. Celebrate the size of a big room with an oversized motif. Alternatively, create more intimacy with a smaller pattern. Using a dado rail with wallpaper above and the same main hue in paint below is also the perfect way to handle large spaces.

Other options include wallpapering ALL the room, wallpapering a feature wall, and wallpapering the ceiling. This can be a very dramatic choice or be a way to add character and pattern if the room doesn't have adequate wall space. For example, a room with very big windows and/or a fireplace and lots of doors.

These are some of my fave room decorating ideas to add personality and flavour to whatever size room you have. If you need more interior design and renovation help, please feel free to contact me at any time. It's my pleasure to help you love where you live

Room Decorating Ideas for Small Versus Big