9 Decor Details That Can Help A Small Home Feel Grand

Just because a home is small doesn’t mean it can’t be palatial in its own way. Every square foot offers an opportunity to make the space feel larger and more luxurious than it did before. Using strategies such as vertical features and bold details, interior designers work as magicians to create convincing optical illusions—and you can too. Below, three designers share their favorite tricks of the trade.

Antique Finds

Making a home feel grand isn’t just about making it look bigger—it’s also about elevating it aesthetically. Amanda Kessler, principal designer of The Keeping Room Interiors in San Antonio, Texas, says that incorporating antiques does exactly that. “Antique furniture often has detail and character that simply cannot be matched by contemporary pieces,” she insists.” A pair of antique drink tables or a beautiful French mirror brings both beauty and function.” In your living room, she recommends styling your coffee table with a small set of antique crystal glasses and a decanter for an elegant finishing touch.

Symmetry

Many designers swear by the “rule of three,” which suggests that grouping items in sets of three looks more natural and less staged. In the case of smaller homes, Nashville, Tennessee-based interior designer Katie Sharpton recommends symmetry. “When the eye can glide through a room without interruption, the result is a space that reads as more spacious, inviting, and quietly luxurious,” she says.

Custom Upholstery

“A small living room, for example, only needs a few pieces of furniture, so let them be fantastic—and just a bit unexpected,” advises Kessler. “Focus on a sumptuous sofa upholstered in a statement fabric with great texture, like velvet, or an eye-catching pattern.” Consider adding beautiful trim or contrast cording for a custom touch.

Architectural Details

Often, what makes a home feel grand is the details—one of them being what Raleigh, North Carolina-based interior designer Jess Borrelli calls “architectural stature.” This kind of presence is accomplished through design elements like floor-to-ceiling built-ins and custom archways. 

A Thoughtful Entry

According to Kessler, it’s important to set the tone for your home from the first step inside. “Use large-scale or textured wallpaper on the entry walls to create a sense of personality and place,” she advises. “Don’t let the entry lighting be an afterthought—choose something high-quality in an era or style that matches the age and architecture of the home.”

Vertical Elements

Full-length drapery, paneling, and tall bookshelves can instantly elevate a smaller home, Sharpton says. Instead of looking eye-level, you naturally look up, creating the illusion of spaciousness. Kessler co-signs this, adding that when it comes to the drapery, you’ll make the maximum impact with a pleated style in a bold color and/or pattern. “Adding trim or tassels brings a layer of luxury you simply cannot achieve with standard store-bought curtains,” she finishes. The same goes for a patterned or painted ceiling, which Borrelli insists also “draws the eye upward and adds a sense of vertical lift.”

Bold Moments

Instead of decorating with a lot of small pieces, which can quickly look cluttered, Borrelli recommends bold gestures. “When used thoughtfully, large-scale furnishings and art anchor the room, guide the eye, and make even the most compact spaces feel significant and effortlessly grand,” she insists.

When it comes to art specifically, Kessler recommends “large paintings or gallery walls with medium- to large-scale framed pieces to give rooms a sense of story and visual interest.” She also says that a well-placed, oversized antique mirror can add depth and make any room feel more spacious.

Wallpaper

A grand statement is all but guaranteed with wallpaper, especially in small spaces. Kessler says that “the powder room is the perfect place to go all out with an impactful pattern, creating a delightful surprise for guests. And don’t forget the ceiling!”

Intentionality

A room haphazardly thrown together is never going to feel grand. “One of the most powerful ways to achieve this in a small space is to ensure that every surface carries intention and presence,” Borrelli says. “This does not mean adding more objects. Instead, it’s about embracing color, pattern, texture and height.”