In interior design, wallpaper is one of the most powerful tools for transforming how a room feels. The right colors, patterns, and placement can make small spaces look bigger, brighter, and more open — without renovation.

Premium wallpapers and murals can add depth, airiness, and elegant movement that visually expand your space.

Whether you’re working with a compact bedroom, a narrow hallway, or a small living room, here’s how to use wallpaper to make your space feel significantly larger and more serene.

1. Choose Wallpaper Styles That Create Depth & Openness

Some wallpaper styles naturally extend a space by adding visual dimension, soft perspective, or vertical lift.

Here are the most effective ones:

A. Landscape & Scenic Murals

Wallpaper murals with wide horizons, distant mountains, gardens, or soft skies create a strong sense of depth — almost like adding a window to the room.

Why it works:

• Leads the eye “into” the scene
• Adds atmospheric distance
• Calms visual clutter with soft tones

Best for: living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms.

Featured from Chic&Kiddo: Castle in the Whispering Pines Mural from our Scenic Wallpaper Collection.

B. Minimalist Watercolor & Soft Abstract Murals

Murals with diffused edges or watercolor washes give the impression of light and open space.

Why it works:

• No hard boundaries
• Creates gentle movement
• Feels airy and weightless

Best for: hallways, small apartments, entryways.

Featured from Chic&Kiddo: Shadowed Trees in Painted Fog Mural from our Abstract Collection.

C. Architectural Illusion Murals

Arches, windows, or classic European architectural lines subtly trick the eye and add structure.

Why it works:

• Gives height
• Adds perspective
• Creates the illusion of architectural depth

Best for: dining rooms, narrow rooms, entryways.

Featured from Chic&Kiddo: French Castle and Riders Mural from our Architecture Collection.

D. Open Botanical Patterns

Botanical designs with plenty of negative space lighten a room and draw the eye upward.

Why it works:

• Adds organic flow
• Avoids dense pattern buildup
• Lifts the ceiling visually

Featured from Chic&Kiddo: Whispers of a Sunlit Garden Mural from our Botanical Collection.

E. Vertical Motifs

Elongated flowers, bamboo-style patterns, subtle vertical lines, or tall scenic elements add height.

Why it works:

• Makes ceilings look higher
• Makes narrow rooms feel spacious

Featured from Chic&Kiddo: Painted Currents in Blush and Sea Wallpaper from our Geometrical Collection.

F. Textured Neutrals

Linen, plaster, grasscloth-inspired designs add sophistication and depth without overwhelming a small space.

Why it works:

• Matte textures diffuse light softly
• Adds depth without busy pattern
• Creates calm, spacious energy

Featured from Chic&Kiddo: Blue Palm Tree Leaves Wallpaper from our Linen Texture Collection.

2. Choose Colors That Make Rooms Look Bigger

Color is one of the strongest tools for visual expansion.

✔️ Soft Neutrals

Ivory, beige, taupe, soft greys

• Reflect more light
• Blur visual boundaries
• Create calm openness

✔️ Cool Tones

Misty blues, soft greens, silver greys

• Recede visually
• Make walls feel further away

✔️ Monochrome Palettes

Tone-on-tone whites, creams, or greys

• Reduce contrast
• Create continuous flow

✔️ Gradient / Ombré Murals

Light-to-dark transitions

• Extend ceilings
• Stretch walls vertically

✔️ Light Metallic Accents

Soft gold or pearl

• Bounce light
• Add subtle dimension

3. Wallpaper Placement: What Works Best?

✔️ A. One Feature Wall (Most Common Strategy)

Perfect for murals.
Creates depth and focus without overwhelming the space.

✔️ B. Two Adjacent Walls

Great for narrow rooms or hallways.
Adds rhythm and openness.

Featured from Chic&Kiddo: The Valley Beyond Mural.

✔️ C. Full Room Wallpapering

Works best with light neutrals or subtle patterns.
Wraps the room in seamless continuity — no visual breaks.

✔️ D. Full Wall-to-Ceiling Gradient Murals

Dramatically expands height and creates a soft, airy feel.

✔️ E. Half Wall with Wainscoting

Pairs beautifully with Toile de Jouy or textured neutrals.
Keeps the upper portion light while adding interest below.

4. The Wallpaper Features That Make a Space Look Bigger

1. Soft Transitions Instead of Hard Lines

Less contrast = more visual flow.

2. Large-Scale Patterns

Contrary to popular belief, small patterns make rooms feel smaller.
Large-scale murals open up the space.

3. Negative Space

Designs with breathing room feel more expansive.

4. Matte Finish

Reflects light softly without harsh glare or shadows.

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❓ FAQs: Wallpaper & Making Spaces Look Bigger

1. What makes a room look bigger: wallpaper or wall murals?

Both can enlarge a room, but wall murals create the strongest illusion of depth, especially landscapes, skies, and architectural scenes.

Wallpaper patterns work beautifully too — especially light neutrals, vertical motifs, and open botanical prints.

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2. What color wallpaper makes a small room look bigger?

• Soft neutrals (ivory, taupe, sand, grey)
• Cool tones (misted blue, sage green)
• Monochrome palettes
• Light gradients

These shades reflect more light and visually push the walls outward.

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3. Do patterns make a room look smaller?

Not necessarily.
Large, airy patterns make rooms look bigger, while busy, tight repeats can make a space feel crowded.

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4. What wallpaper style expands space the most?

The top performers are:

• Soft neutrals (ivory, taupe, sand, grey)
• Cool tones (misted blue, sage green)
• Monochrome palettes
• Light gradients

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5. Should I wallpaper one wall or the whole room?

• One wall → Best for murals and strong depth effects.
• Two walls → Balances narrow rooms.
• Full room → Works with light, subtle designs to create seamless flow.

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6. Can dark wallpaper make a room look bigger?

Usually no — but deep colors with large murals can create dramatic depth if paired with good lighting and minimal furniture.

Wallpaper is one of the most effective ways to enlarge a small space — visually, emotionally, and architecturally. With the right style, color, and placement, you can transform even the smallest room into a bright, open, elegant retreat.

Explore Chic&Kiddo’s curated wallpapers and murals to find designs that bring airiness, depth, and timeless beauty to your home.