How do I make a small room look bigger?

This month we're giving you some helpful tips on decorating your home.

If you have a small room in your house that you’re decorating, interior designer Lucy Bartley gives some helpful hints and tips for how to make it look bigger:

• Use light colours on the walls and ceiling – this will reflect light and make the room look bright & airy
• If a tone is required then use darker tones of colour nearer the floor and lighter shades on the ceilings – this will give an illusion of space
• Make use of hidden storage –  multi functional pieces, for example a lift top ottoman/foot stool are great
• Opt for fewer decorative accessories that are bigger and draw the eye up
• Have one large sofa instead of multiple small pieces
• Opt for furniture with exposed legs
• Mirrors will always reflect light and make a small space seem larger
• Opt for a dining table that can be made smaller or larger
• Transparent furniture, like glass or clear plastic/acrylic do a great job of fooling the eye into thinking there is more space than there actually is
• Big pieces of art can add drama to a small space (rather than loads of tiny smaller framed pictures together), and make the room seem bigger in the process
• For window treatments - use lighter colours and texture rather than pattern for roman blinds/curtains at the windows
• Allow as much natural light to flood into the room as possible, and less fussy window treatments
• D-clutter vigorously – if you don’t love an item, or wouldn’t buy it today - re-cycle or take to a charity store