How To: Make a Small Room Feel Bigger with Staging

By Maria Stokes

Let’s be honest — not every room is blessed with spacious proportions. Whether it’s a boxy spare bedroom, a narrow lounge, or that odd-shaped office nook, small rooms can be tricky to sell.

And if left empty? They often look even smaller than they really are.

But here’s the good news: with a few clever staging tricks up your sleeve, you can make a small room feel bigger, brighter, and 100% more inviting — and that’s exactly what today’s buyers are looking for.

So, if you’re preparing to sell an empty property and wondering how to turn that 'cosy' room into a real selling point, keep reading. We’ve got your back.

Keep it Light, Bright & Neutral

Let’s start with the basics.

Colour can make or break a small room. Dark colours absorb light, which can shrink the space visually. Instead, opt for light, neutral tones — think off-whites, soft greys, warm creams, and pale taupes. These colours reflect light and instantly make a room feel more open and airy.

✅ Home staging tip: If repainting, go for a matte finish. Glossy walls can reflect awkward shadows in small rooms.

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Choose Smaller-Scale Furniture (But Don’t Skip It!)

Here’s a myth we need to bust: leaving a small room empty doesn’t make it look bigger.

In fact, it does the opposite. Without furniture to give context, buyers struggle to imagine how the room could work. They might assume it only fits a single bed, when in fact it could take a double with room to spare.

The trick? Use slimline furniture that suits the space. A compact bed with low legs, a small desk, or a neat loveseat can help define the room’s purpose without overpowering it.

✅ Staging tip for small spaces: Raise it up! Choose furniture with visible legs to create more floor space and help the room 'breathe'.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

This one’s an oldie but a goodie: mirrors create the illusion of space. Full stop.

By reflecting natural light and bouncing it around the room, a well-placed mirror can double the perceived size of the space. Go for a large mirror on the wall opposite a window, or prop an oversized floor mirror in the corner for maximum effect.

✅ Staging trick: Round mirrors soften boxy rooms and add a bit of visual interest without crowding the space.

Use Rugs to Define the Space

A common mistake in small rooms? Thinking they don’t need a rug.

But actually, a well-sized rug anchors a room, defines zones, and adds softness underfoot — especially in vacant properties where hard floors can make spaces feel cold and echoey.

Just don’t go too small. A dinky rug floating in the middle of the floor can make the room feel even tinier.

✅ Property staging tip: Go large with rugs — ideally, they should sit under at least the front legs of furniture to create a cohesive ;zone'.

Let There Be Light (Lots of It)

Small rooms often suffer from poor lighting, which can make them feel closed in.

Fix that by layering different light sources.

Think one overhead light (keep it simple and sleek), one floor lamp to brighten a corner, and maybe a table lamp or two if there’s space. If natural light is limited, use light, sheer curtains or leave windows bare to let in as much daylight as possible.

✅ Bonus tip: A warm LED bulb makes everything feel more inviting.

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Go Vertical with Decor

When floor space is limited, look up!

Use vertical elements like tall bookcases, wall-mounted shelves, or vertical artwork to draw the eye upward. This gives the illusion of height and helps the room feel more spacious overall.

✅ Home staging for small rooms: Hang curtains higher than the window frame to make the ceilings look taller. Works every time.

Keep Decor Minimal and Intentional

Less is more in small spaces. You want to create a styled but uncluttered feel that shows buyers how the room could be used.

Use just enough decor to tell the story — a plant in the corner, a stack of books, a neatly made bed, or a pop of colour in a cushion. It should feel lived-in but not cramped.

✅ Pro staging tip: Use symmetry where possible (like matching bedside tables or lamps) to create balance and calm.

Final Thoughts

Small rooms can be big selling points — when they’re staged right. With the right layout, colour palette, and thoughtful styling, you can turn even the pokiest of spaces into a room that wows buyers.

Remember: people buy homes, not empty boxes. So if you’ve got a small room in a vacant property, give it a purpose, make it feel spacious, and let the styling do the selling.

Need help staging a small space that’s feeling a bit... meh?

At House of Arden, we’re pros at turning tiny rooms into total showstoppers. Whether it’s a tricky loft conversion, a shoebox spare room, or a narrow hallway crying out for TLC, we’ve got the styling skills to make it shine.

✨ Get in touch and let’s make your small space feel impressive.

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