With the right formula, even the smallest of rooms can give more of a sense of openess. Here are a few tips to use to make that small space less tight.

• Declutter: Our minds subconciously note the contents and any disorder in a room. Tone back everything in the room, from less books on shelves to clearing out the stacks of belongings. Make sure every corner of the room is cleared out.
• Colors: Although white is versatile and increases light, using color allows you to direct an eye through the space. Painting a room a light shade of a color, then doing the ceiling in an off shade will draw the eye up, producing a sense of a higher ceiling. 
• Mirrors: A dark room's space can be lightened up and expanded by the use of a mirror. Put a mirror across from a window or in a well-lit place to bring in additional light. A large mirror can be used as a centerpiece in sunny areas. 
• Cutback on Furniture: Choosing one sizable piece of furniture will help make it the focal point of the space. Try to make any additional pieces small and really limit what you bring in.