Designing Your Airstream or Small Space to Feel Larger: Clever Tips for Expanding Your Tiny Space

In the world of small space living—whether you're redesigning an Airstream, a vintage trailer, or an innovative tiny home — the challenge is always the same: how can you make the space feel bigger? Fortunately, with thoughtful design and a few strategic tricks, you can transform even the coziest of spaces into something that feels spacious and open. Let’s explore some design ideas that help create the illusion of more space, while still maintaining functionality and style.

1. Limit Full-Height Cabinets and Upper Cabinets

Our client opted for open shelving and lower cabinetry storage maximization to create a spacious inviting atmosphere in Airstream Alice.

One of the easiest ways to open up a small space is to minimize the use of full-height and upper cabinets. These large, bulky structures can block the line of sight and make a room feel cramped. Instead, consider using lower cabinets for your main storage needs. By keeping storage low to the ground, you maintain clear sightlines across the entire space, making it feel less enclosed and more open.

Another alternative is to swap out upper cabinets for open shelving or, even better, no shelving at all. Open shelving can work well if you want to display lightweight, aesthetic items like dishes or plants, but keeping upper walls clear can drastically increase the sense of space.

2. Incorporate Storage in Lower Cabinets, Bench Seats, and Under Beds

Just because you’re limiting upper and full-height cabinets doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice storage. A great design trick for small spaces is to hide storage in creative places. Think about incorporating built-in storage in areas like:

• Bench seats: Whether it’s in your dining nook or living area, built-in bench seats can double as storage units. Lift-up seats or pull-out drawers underneath benches are a great way to store items like blankets, tools, or seasonal gear.

• Under the bed: Beds take up a lot of floor space, so take advantage of the area underneath. Deep drawers, slide-out bins, or even built-in cubbies beneath the bed can store clothing, linens, or equipment without taking up additional space.

• Lower cabinets: Focus on making lower cabinets as functional as possible. Deep drawers, pull-out shelves, and hidden compartments can maximize your storage potential without the need for upper cabinetry.

3. Maximize Natural and Artificial Lighting

Lighting can completely change the way a space feels. A well-lit room always feels larger and more inviting than a dark one. For tiny spaces like Airstreams or small homes, ensuring you have plenty of natural and artificial light can make a world of difference.

• Natural light: Make the most of windows by keeping them free of heavy treatments or obstructions. You can also consider adding skylights or sun tubes, which allow light to flood in from above, further opening up the space. Skylights have the added benefit of creating a connection with the outdoors, giving the illusion that your space extends beyond its physical walls.

• Artificial light: Layered lighting, including task lighting, accent lighting, and ambient lighting, can help fill any darker corners. Use LED strip lights under cabinets, sconces along the walls, and overhead fixtures to keep the space bright and open.

Featuring Airstream MXB’s rectractable automated skylights

4. Bring the Outside In with Skylights and Modified Openings

When you’re working with a limited footprint, bringing the outdoors in can create a feeling of spaciousness. Skylights and strategically placed windows are great options to flood the interior with light, as well as to connect the space with the natural world outside.

Another way to achieve this effect is through modified openings. In trailers, this can mean larger windows or even wall panels that fold or slide open to extend your living space outside. In some designs, large windows can blur the boundary between inside and outside, making the interior feel like it’s part of the surrounding environment.

5. Use Mirrors to Create the Illusion of More Space

Mirrors are one of the oldest tricks in the book for making a room feel larger—and they work exceptionally well in small spaces. By reflecting light and giving the illusion of depth, mirrors can visually double the size of a room.

Consider placing a large mirror on one wall or using smaller mirrors strategically throughout the space. Mirrors near windows or opposite light sources can bounce light around and make the entire area feel brighter and more open.

Final Thoughts

Designing an Airstream or small space to feel larger is all about thoughtful planning and creative solutions. By limiting full-height and upper cabinets, incorporating smart storage solutions, maximizing lighting, and using visual tricks like skylights and mirrors, you can make even the tiniest space feel expansive and inviting.

Whether you're designing a mobile marketing platform or a cozy alternative dwelling unit, these design strategies will help you create a functional, beautiful, and seemingly spacious home on wheels. Embrace the challenge of small space living and discover how much room you really have to stretch out and enjoy!