Your home should feel open, airy, and inviting, no matter its size. But certain interior design choices can unintentionally make your space feel cramped and cluttered. From poor lighting to the wrong furniture placement, these common mistakes shrink the perception of space, making your home feel smaller than it actually is.
The good news? Small tweaks can make a big difference! If you want your home to feel bigger and more spacious, avoid these 13 interior design mistakes that could be making your home feel smaller—and learn how to fix them!
1. Using Dark Colors in Small Rooms
Dark, moody colors can add drama, elegance, and coziness, but they also absorb light rather than reflect it. This makes walls feel like they are closing in, giving the illusion of a much smaller space. While dark hues work well in large, well-lit rooms, they can be overwhelming in compact areas with limited natural light.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Dark colors absorb light, reducing brightness and making the space feel enclosed.
- They create visual heaviness, which can make walls appear closer together.
- Lack of light reflection diminishes the perception of openness, making rooms feel more cramped.
How to fix it:
- Stick to light, neutral tones like white, beige, soft gray, or pale pastels to create an airy feel.
- If you love dark colors, use them on an accent wall only rather than covering the entire room.
- Incorporate mirrors and metallic accents to help bounce light around the space and counteract dark hues.
Pro Tip: If you can’t part with dark colors, use them in furniture, curtains, or decorative accents instead of painting the walls.
2. Overcrowding the Room with Furniture
When decorating a small space, it’s tempting to squeeze in as much furniture as possible to make it functional. However, overfilling a room reduces walking space and creates a cluttered, claustrophobic environment.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Large, bulky furniture blocks movement and makes a space feel tighter.
- Overcrowding eliminates breathing space, making the room feel stuffy.
- Too many pieces absorb light, preventing an open, flowing look.
How to fix it:
- Choose multi-functional furniture, like an ottoman with storage or a dining table with built-in leaves that can expand when needed.
- Opt for “leggy” furniture (sofas, chairs, and tables with visible legs) to create an airier feel.
- Stick to the “less is more” rule—limit furniture to well-placed, essential pieces rather than cramming a room full.
Extra Tip: Arrange furniture away from walls to create depth and improve circulation, making the space feel more expansive.
3. Ignoring Vertical Space
Many people only think about floor space, but walls and ceilings play a huge role in how big or small a room feels. When you fail to maximize vertical space, you lose the opportunity to make the room feel taller and more expansive.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Low-hanging art and furniture keep the eye focused at a lower level, making ceilings feel shorter.
- Lack of height variation creates a flat, one-dimensional look.
- Empty walls and no shelving waste valuable storage space.
How to fix it:
- Hang curtains closer to the ceiling (not right above the window) to make windows appear larger and ceilings higher.
- Use wall-mounted shelves to add storage without taking up floor space.
- Incorporate tall bookshelves, oversized mirrors, or vertically oriented artwork to draw the eye upward.
Pro Tip: A floor-to-ceiling mirror can dramatically increase the perception of depth and openness in a small room.
4. Cluttered Surfaces and Too Many Accessories
Decor is essential for making a home feel personal and stylish, but too many small decorative items can make a space feel chaotic rather than cozy. A cluttered look overwhelms the eye, making the room feel smaller than it actually is.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Too many accessories create visual clutter, making it hard for the eye to focus.
- Over-styled shelves, coffee tables, and counters make the room feel cramped.
- Excess patterns and textures compete for attention, reducing the sense of harmony.
How to fix it:
- Stick to the “rule of three”—group decor items in threes to create a balanced, curated look.
- Choose larger statement pieces instead of filling the space with lots of tiny trinkets.
- Keep surfaces mostly clear, allowing the room to breathe and feel more open.
Bonus Tip: Use hidden storage solutions (like decorative baskets and storage ottomans) to keep clutter out of sight.
5. Poor Lighting Choices
Lighting is one of the most overlooked design elements that can dramatically impact how big or small a room feels. Even a spacious room can feel cramped, uninviting, or gloomy if the lighting is too dim or uneven. Many homes rely on a single overhead fixture, but this creates harsh shadows and uneven lighting, making the space feel smaller than it actually is.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- A single overhead light creates harsh shadows, making corners disappear and emphasizing dark areas. This lack of depth makes the room feel flat and constricted.
- Not enough lighting in corners and dark areas causes a room to feel confined and unbalanced instead of open and airy.
- Poor window treatments block natural light, making rooms appear duller and more enclosed than they should be. Heavy curtains, dark blinds, or small windows reduce brightness and add to the feeling of being boxed in.
How to fix it:
- Use layered lighting by combining overhead lights, table lamps, and floor lamps to create a well-lit, spacious feel. Incorporating different types of lighting ensures that all areas of the room are illuminated, preventing dark spots.
- Replace heavy curtains with sheer fabrics to allow more natural light to filter through, instantly making the room feel bigger and brighter. If privacy is a concern, opt for light-colored, semi-sheer curtains or adjustable blinds that let in light while maintaining privacy.
- Install LED strip lights or wall sconces in dim areas to create soft, indirect lighting that enhances the ambiance and gives the illusion of more space.
Pro Tip: Warm white light bulbs (2700K–3000K) create a cozy and inviting atmosphere without making the space feel dim or heavy. Avoid cool-toned lights (5000K and above) in small rooms, as they can make the space feel sterile rather than expansive.
6. Ignoring Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces
Mirrors are one of the easiest and most effective ways to create the illusion of space, yet many people don’t use them strategically. When placed correctly, mirrors can double the amount of light in a room, make walls feel further apart, and add a sense of openness.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Without mirrors, rooms lack depth and light reflection, which makes the space feel flatter and more enclosed.
- Small, dark rooms absorb light instead of distributing it, making them feel even more compact and heavy. A lack of reflective surfaces means less light bouncing around, making walls and ceilings appear closer together.
How to fix it:
- Hang a large mirror opposite a window to reflect natural light and create a sense of depth. This trick instantly brightens the room and makes it feel twice as big.
- Use mirrored furniture or decor—such as coffee tables, side tables, or decorative trays—to subtly enhance brightness without overwhelming the space.
- Arrange multiple smaller mirrors in a gallery wall layout to add visual interest and openness, especially in tight hallways or narrow spaces.
Extra Tip: Leaning a full-length mirror against a wall can make ceilings appear taller, giving the room a loftier, more expansive feel.
7. Choosing the Wrong Rug Size
A rug serves as a foundational piece in any room, helping to define the space and create cohesion. However, choosing the wrong rug size can make the room feel disconnected, cluttered, or even visually chopped up.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- A rug that’s too large overwhelms the floor space, making the room feel crowded.
- A tiny rug makes furniture feel disconnected and makes the floor space appear even smaller.
- Poor rug placement can cut off movement flow, reducing the perceived openness of the room.
How to fix it:
- Choose a rug that fits under the front legs of furniture to connect the space and anchor the room. A well-sized rug helps define the area without making it feel constricted.
- Opt for light-colored rugs in small rooms to reflect light and create the illusion of more space. Avoid dark, heavy patterns that can visually shrink the floor space.
Bonus Tip: Round rugs work great in small areas to soften hard lines and create better flow, making the space feel more inviting and open.
8. Using Bulky, Closed-Off Furniture
Furniture that is too large, heavy, or blocky can make a room feel visually suffocating. While oversized sofas or thick armrests may feel plush and comfortable, they can also disrupt the flow of the room and make it feel smaller.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Closed-off furniture blocks sightlines, making the room feel boxed in and cluttered.
- Heavy, solid-base furniture absorbs light, creating visual weight that shrinks the perception of space.
- Bulky storage units take up too much floor space, limiting movement and reducing functionality.
How to fix it:
- Opt for open-leg furniture (such as sofas, chairs, and tables) to create a sense of airiness and flow. The ability to see underneath furniture tricks the eye into perceiving more space.
- Use glass or acrylic tables instead of solid wood ones to maintain an uncluttered look while keeping functionality.
Extra Tip: Floating shelves instead of bulky cabinets free up floor space while maintaining
9. Too Many Patterns and Bold Prints
Patterns can add visual interest and personality, but when overused, they can make a room feel chaotic and visually cluttered. Large-scale prints or multiple competing patterns overwhelm the space, making it appear smaller and busier than it actually is.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Busy prints break up the space, making it feel visually overwhelming.
- Multiple bold patterns compete for attention, reducing a sense of harmony.
- Dark or overly bright patterns absorb light, making walls and furniture feel heavier and more confined.
How to fix it:
- Stick to one or two patterns and balance them with solid colors.
- Use subtle, smaller-scale prints on furniture or textiles instead of large statement patterns.
- If you love bold prints, limit them to a single accent wall or smaller decorative items like pillows or rugs.
Bonus Tip: Stripes can elongate a room—vertical stripes make ceilings feel taller, while horizontal stripes can widen a space.
10. Heavy or Overstuffed Furniture
Large, bulky furniture might look comfortable, but it can make a small room feel cramped and overfilled. Overstuffed couches, wide armchairs, and heavy wooden pieces absorb too much visual space, making the room feel crowded and less functional.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Heavy furniture blocks sightlines, making the space feel more confined.
- Overstuffed seating takes up extra space, reducing walkability.
- Dark, bulky furniture absorbs light, making the room feel darker and less open.
How to fix it:
- Choose sleek, open-leg furniture instead of solid blocky pieces.
- Opt for furniture with lower profiles to maintain an airy feel.
- Stick to light-colored or neutral upholstery to reflect more light.
Pro Tip: Swap out a large sectional sofa for a compact loveseat and two accent chairs to create more flow in the room.
11. Blocking Natural Light with Furniture or Decor
Natural light is one of the best ways to make a home feel bigger and more welcoming. But many people unknowingly block their windows with bulky furniture, dark curtains, or oversized decor, preventing sunlight from filling the space.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Blocked windows reduce brightness, making the room feel enclosed.
- Large furniture near windows absorbs light, preventing it from reaching the entire space.
- Heavy drapes cut off natural illumination, creating unnecessary shadows.
How to fix it:
- Arrange furniture so that windows remain unobstructed.
- Use light, sheer curtains or adjustable blinds to allow more daylight in.
- Keep window areas clutter-free—avoid placing large decor or shelves in front of natural light sources.
Bonus Tip: A well-placed mirror opposite a window can amplify natural light, instantly making a room feel twice as bright.
12. Overlooking Storage Solutions
Clutter can make even the largest room feel small and chaotic. Without proper storage solutions, everyday items like mail, shoes, books, and decor pile up, making your space feel messier and more overwhelming.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Visible clutter takes up mental and physical space, making the room feel crowded.
- Lack of smart storage forces items to be left out, reducing the perception of openness.
- Too many exposed storage bins and shelves can feel visually overwhelming.
How to fix it:
- Use multi-functional furniture like storage ottomans, beds with drawers, or floating shelves.
- Keep everyday items hidden in closed storage solutions like cabinets, baskets, or decorative boxes.
- Declutter regularly—only keep what you use and love.
Pro Tip: Stick to a minimalist approach—if an item doesn’t serve a purpose, consider storing, donating, or repurposing it.
13. Using Low Ceilings and Horizontal Decor
A room’s ceiling height plays a major role in how big or small it feels. If your decor choices emphasize width instead of height, the space can feel lower and more compressed than it actually is.
Why it makes your home feel smaller:
- Horizontal decor makes ceilings appear lower, creating a compact look.
- Low-hanging pendant lights or bulky ceiling fans can weigh down the space.
- Short furniture and decor focus the eye downward, instead of expanding the room.
How to fix it:
- Use vertical decor elements like tall bookshelves, floor-length curtains, or vertical wall art to draw the eye upward.
- Choose lightweight or recessed ceiling lighting instead of bulky fixtures that dominate the ceiling.
- If ceilings are low, paint them a shade lighter than the walls to give the illusion of height.
Extra Tip: Striped wallpaper with vertical lines can elongate walls, making ceilings feel taller and the room feel more open.
