Sophie Robinson has shared a simple wallpaper trick she swears by to make a small living room feel bigger. Speaking exclusively to Ideal Home the interior designer and presenter of Dream Home Makeovers with Sophie Robinson, explained why a fine-lined print is perfect for a small space.
Creative small living room ideas can really maximise a tiny room. If you usually shy away from the idea of wallpaper, Sophie is here to change your mind.

Image credit: Dowsing & Reynolds
Sophie Robinson’s small living room wallpaper tip
‘With a small room, I’d put a patterned wallpaper up,’ Sophie begins. ‘And I know that’s counterintuitive, but sometimes patterns create more depth.’
The Great Indoors podcast’s co-host recommends something trailing, such as a lovely floral or botanical print. ‘I’ve got quite a small kitchen and I’ve got wrapped wall-to-wall wallpaper in there,’ she shares.
‘And everybody says it makes the room feel bigger because your eye travels through the pattern and beyond.’ Sophie makes the point that painting a small room a pale colour can still leave you with an uninspiring space.

Image credit: The French Bedroom Co
‘Small rooms need a bit of punch,’ she says. But there’s a balance to strike, as a small living room wouldn’t suit anything too in your face. We’d definitely avoid anything too blocky or bold.
Instead, Sophie suggests ‘a lovely delicate wallpaper with a fine-lined print’ to open up the space. The good news is with a small space you don’t need too many rolls of wallpaper either, so it’s a win-win.
‘Do all the walls. This isn’t a feature wall thing – all the walls so that you get that full immersive feel,’ she says.

Sophie Robinson (Image credit: Channel 5)
Feeling inspired? Check out the latest wallpaper trends for 2022 to see what kind of prints you gravitate towards.
We think a delicate floral print in uplifting hues would be a fabulous way to update your home and inject some spring home decor into your space. It adds a touch of nature while also creating the illusion of depth.
Dream Home Makeovers with Sophie Robinson airs Wednesday at 7pm on Channel 5.