The Simple Addition Joanna Gaines Uses To Make A Small Bedroom Look Bigger

When transforming uninspired spaces into show-stopping designs, no one does it like Joanna Gaines. Every room the "Fixer Upper" star touches looks like it belongs on the cover of a magazine. What's also great about Gaines, apart from her incredible design talent, is her willingness to share all of her best design tips and tricks with the rest of the world. In fact, her television shows and social media platforms are teeming with amazing home decor advice. Take this YouTube video, for example, in which she shares her various go-to strategies to make a small bedroom feel more spacious. Her top strategy? Add an oversized mirror. 

Gaines recognizes it can be tricky to design bedrooms short on square footage. However, as she stated in the video, this challenges her to use her creativity to better maximize the space. The key for her is finding pieces that serve a purpose in the room but don't take up too much space. Not only are large mirrors functional pieces that double as decor, but they can bounce light around to make your small space look bigger. This one simple trick, along with a few strategic furniture pieces like floating shelves instead of nightstands and a low-profile bed, can go a long way toward creating the illusion of more space. Below, we're sharing how to copy Gaines' tried-and-true mirror hack to make your small bedroom look and feel larger.

In addition to reflecting light, mirrors create the illusion of depth. That's why it's important to think where to place a mirror to optimize its benefits. For example, by placing a mirror on the wall opposite the room's entrance, it reflects the room back onto itself, making it appear to go on farther than it actually does. Alternatively, if you want a small room to feel lighter and airier, placing a mirror opposite a window will reflect the most light into the space. You'll also need to decide either to hang your mirror or lean it against the wall. If you opt to hang it, try this hack that makes hanging a mirror a breeze.

There's also the style of the mirror to consider, of course. Since an oversized mirror is likely going to be one of the biggest pieces in the bedroom, you'll want to make sure it enhances the room's overall design. If your space skews more towards the modern side, consider a sleek, minimal frame like this one from IKEA ($129.99). If you favor an antique-style aesthetic, a mirror featuring ornate, gilded elements like this one from Amazon ($169.99) would be a great option. If, like Gaines, you love farmhouse style, this Walmart mirror ($97.00) has a wonderful rustic charm. Whatever your style, a large mirror is a great trick for making your bedroom feel bigger and brighter.