i read from somewhere that one of the ways you can do to make a room visually larger is by maximizing the use of lighting. you can try installing lights in all corners of the room so that you can see the room in its entirety. also, it's a good idea to maximize the use of natural light. this is a good way to extend the outdoors indoors.
In one of our rooms - where outside light does not penetrate in very much, we bought lamps that all point towards the ceiling. This gives an effect of the ceiling being well lit. It helps make the room much brighter. Also we use only white light - and no yellow light bulbs. It helps also.
I havent heard of this before and have tended to go for the option of mirrors to make a room look larger. I can see the theory behind what you are saying though as the lighter a room is the larger it will look. I might try this in the spring when I am decorating the bedrooms.
Another way to add some light in a room is accent lighting. Lighting strategically placed to highlight corners or items you want to show off. A small uplight placed behind a TV can offer the same effect as an ambilight. Add some lighting behind bars or on top of a bar or cabinet for some soft lighting.
