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I'd say cull all the unnecessary furniture you can. That's my problem, I have quite a big space and I manage to make it look small.

As big mirrors as you can afford/live-with-functionally. This is literally the only way to increase the feeling of size.

Keep a handful of small, delicate, necessary bits of furniture, nothing hugging the floor, it'll block out light. Allowing natural light about a room is about the only way I think you could avoid making a room look smaller.

But make no mistake, a small room will always be small. Just don't clutter it and acknowledge you have to furnish for a small place. There's no fighting that.

Kyle

hi.

chalky white walls, trim...and ceiling in the same shade of white. and decent vodka.

Best,

Aunt Mark

Hi evanhdrc, do you have an image of the room you are trying to design? Uploading it might help if you want a more specific design direction. Is it a rental or do you own the space, does it get natural light or is it diffused?

Painting the room with a monochromatic scheme will help as suggested by aunt Mark or using one material like light wood on the floor, walls & ceiling.

Also furniture with legs vs plinths will help open up the space & if you own the room consider built-ins like cantilevered shelves, table tops, storage & use furniture sparingly & as Kyle suggested, avoid unnecessary clutter.

If none of these work for you, how about painting the background Charlie Rose black?

One Sawzall, and an afternoon will open it up real nice!