Living in a city usually means giving up some space. Apartments are smaller, homes are closer together, and every square foot matters. But that doesn’t mean your place has to feel cramped. With a few smart design choices, even the smallest city home can feel bigger, brighter, and more comfortable.
It’s not always about adding space—it’s about making the most of what’s already there. Light, color, layout, and furniture all play a part. Some changes are super simple, and others take a bit more planning, but each one helps make a home feel more open and easy to live in.
Bring in More Natural Light
One of the best ways to make a small space feel bigger is to brighten it up. Natural light makes everything feel more open and clean. But in a city, sunlight can be hard to get—especially if buildings are close together or windows are small.
That’s why skylights are such a helpful option. They let sunlight in from above, so even if your view is blocked, you can still get that natural brightness inside. This works really well in top-floor apartments, brownstones, and townhouses with roof access. And it’s not just about light—skylights can also make ceilings feel higher, which helps the whole room feel larger.
If you’re wondering what’s available in your area, it helps to look into new york skylights for example, to see options that are designed for urban homes. Some are made specifically for flat roofs, which are common in the city. Others are vented to help with airflow. Either way, adding light from above can totally change how a small room feels.
Keep the Layout Open
A packed room feels smaller, no matter how it’s decorated. To make a city home feel bigger, the layout needs to stay simple and open. That means leaving clear walking paths and making sure furniture isn’t blocking doors or windows.
Try floating furniture away from the walls or placing smaller pieces at an angle to make the space feel more relaxed. Even pulling a couch out just a few inches can give the room a little more depth. In tighter spaces, choosing just the essentials helps avoid a crowded look.
Use Light Colors to Your Advantage
Color can make a huge difference in how big a room feels. Lighter shades help reflect light, which makes walls seem farther apart. White, soft gray, pale blue, and light beige are all good choices for small spaces.
It’s not just about walls, either. Light-colored furniture, rugs, and curtains can brighten the room and make it feel more open. Too many dark colors, especially in a smaller space, tend to close everything in.
If you want to add color, try using smaller accents—like throw pillows, artwork, or small décor items. That way, the main space stays light, but you still get a pop of personality.
Use Mirrors to Double the Light
Mirrors don’t just let you check your outfit—they can also help bounce light around and make a room feel bigger. A large mirror across from a window can reflect natural light and give the illusion of another window. Even smaller mirrors grouped on one wall can help open up the space.
Mirrored furniture and décor can also work well. A cabinet with a mirrored front or a lamp with a shiny base adds depth without being too obvious.
Choose Multi-Use Furniture
In a small home, it helps when one thing can do more than one job. A bed with drawers underneath, a coffee table that lifts up to reveal storage, or a sofa that turns into a guest bed can save a lot of space.
Look for pieces that have hidden storage or that can be folded or moved easily. Even a bench with space inside can help keep things organized while serving as extra seating.
The goal is to reduce clutter without losing function. That way, the space stays clean, useful, and open.
Use the Walls, Not the Floor
When there’s not much floor space, going vertical is a smart move. Wall-mounted shelves, hooks, and cabinets can hold everything from books to kitchen tools. Hanging things on the wall keeps the floor clear and makes the room feel less packed.
In small kitchens, using magnetic strips for knives or racks for spices saves counter space. In bedrooms, wall-mounted lights or nightstands open up the area around the bed. In the living room, floating shelves hold decorations without taking up extra room.
Keep It Clean and Simple
Too much furniture, decoration, or clutter can make a home feel small—even if it isn’t. Keeping things neat and choosing fewer but more meaningful pieces helps a space feel more relaxed and open.
Try sticking to one or two main colors and keeping surfaces clear when possible. Open spaces between furniture and clean walls give the eyes room to rest, which helps the room feel calmer and larger.
This doesn’t mean the space has to be boring. Just be selective about what stays out and where things go. Organized spaces almost always feel bigger.
Go Low with Furniture
Furniture that sits low to the ground can make ceilings feel higher. Low-profile beds, couches, and tables create space above them, which helps rooms feel taller and more open.
This works especially well in rooms with lower ceilings. The extra visual space above the furniture gives the room more balance and keeps everything from feeling too boxed in.
Let Rooms Flow Together
If your home has separate areas for cooking, eating, or relaxing, try to connect them as much as possible. Even in a small space, open layouts help rooms feel bigger. Taking down a non-structural wall (if allowed) or using open shelving between spaces instead of solid dividers helps light travel through and makes everything feel connected.
Even if the structure can’t be changed, using the same colors or flooring between rooms can help them feel like one space instead of several small ones.
Small Can Still Feel Spacious
A city home doesn’t need to be huge to feel great. With the right mix of natural light, smart furniture, and simple design, even the tiniest apartment or townhouse can feel open and relaxing. Using skylights, keeping things bright, and focusing on layout are just a few of the ways to make any home feel more spacious.
It all comes down to using space in a way that makes sense and feels good. Try one change at a time and see how the space starts to shift. You don’t need more room—you just need to make the most of what’s already there.
