Christmas Hosting Hacks: Here’s How To Make Your Home Look Bigger

If you’ve offered up your home for a festive party – or even for Christmas dinner – you might be pondering how, exactly, you’re going to comfortably fit everyone in. Luckily, however, there are plenty of clever tips you can employ when hosting in small spaces, including these handy lighting tricks, which are guaranteed to make your house look (and feel) bigger. 

Top Lighting Tips To Make Your House Look Bigger

For all the sparkle and festive cheer, the Christmas season is not without its challenges  – especially if you’re offering up your home to guests. (According to a recent survey, in fact, new-build specialists at Redrow found that 2.8 million people will be hosting for the first time this year, and a quarter feel that it’s the most stressful thing about the season.) 

Aside from preparing the party food and cooking the Christmas feast, finding space for all your guests can prove difficult – so if you’re hunting for ways to minimise fuss (and stress) this season, why not employ some handy tips to make your home feel bigger. 

Layer Your Lighting

To really create the illusion of space, you’ll need to mix and match different light sources – starting with ‘a good source of ambient or general lighting,’ says Rohan Blacker, founder of Pooky. ‘This could be an overhead light, a wall light or a freestanding lamp. The goal is to have a broad, even layer of light that fills the room and eliminates dark spots, setting the foundation for a spacious look.’

Once you’ve nailed your main light source, it’s time to begin the layering process. ‘Add accent lights to highlight key features of the room,’ explains Rohan. ‘By drawing the eye to these focal points, accent lighting helps create depth, making the room appear more dynamic and expansive.’

Use Upward Lighting To Create Height

It’s no secret that high ceilings can make a room feel enormous, and some clever lighting will open everything up. ‘Whether you go for wall lights or floor lamps, adding lights that shine upwards can make the ceiling feel higher and the room feel taller,’ says Rohan. ‘This effect is especially helpful if you do have lower ceilings or limited vertical space.’

Reduce Shadows

If your space feels particularly cramped, it could be down to poor lighting and dim, unlit corners. ‘Shadows in corners or behind furniture can make a room feel smaller,’ Rohan explains. ‘Place small lamps in shadowy areas to brighten these spots and create an even, welcoming atmosphere.’

The key, however, is to make your space feel welcoming but not overly bright. (It’s always best to exercise caution when using the big light, after all.) ‘Readjusting bright lights actually creates a more expansive feel in the dark winter nights without overwhelming a room,’ advises Rohan.

Choose Warm Tones

No matter what kind of lamp you go for, the type of bulb you use is just as important. ‘Opt for filament bulbs to give a soft, warm glow, guaranteeing a cosy and inviting feel,’ Rohan suggests. A cohesive look also helps your space appear larger: ‘Using bulbs of the same colour temperature throughout the room prevents clashing light tones, which will break up the space visually and make it feel smaller,’ he adds.

Use Mirrors Strategically

The secret weapon when it comes to making your house look bigger? Mirrors, of course. ‘Position mirrors opposite windows or in areas where they can catch and reflect natural light into the room,’ says Rohan. ‘This brings in more daylight and generally enhances the brightness of the room, giving the illusion of extra space.’ For an extra boost, ‘place a floor or table lamp near a mirror to bounce light around the room. This simple setup will also amplify brightness and help make the space feel larger.’