13 Design Flubs Making Your Space Feel Smaller Than It Is

Thinking about a space that seems more spacious? We have just what you need.

We’re offering our foolproof suggestions for maximizing every inch of your living area—without needing a contractor’s help. These ideas can be easily incorporated into your environment to create an illusion of more spaciousness, whether you’ve got a compact or expansive room. Often, we unknowingly commit design errors that reduce the visual size of our rooms, leaving us with spaces that feel much smaller than they actually are. Implementing even one or two of these strategies might just transform your perception of the space, allowing it to appear wider and airier. Avoid falling prey to these top 13 pitfalls. decorating mistakes cramp your style.

Buying An Oversized Bed

It's time to say goodbye Go to that four-poster bed and consider something more compact. An upholstered headboard can create a big statement without making the space feel cramped. Just remember, don’t overspend on this—there’s no need to spend too much as you can discover lovely, statement-making options for less than $300.

Applying Dark Tones to the Walls for Painting

If your space is already small Skip the darker tones and opt for light and vibrant wall colors instead. Add striking splashes of color through throw pillows and fresh flowers. pre-fab coastal cottage Designer Jennifer Hunter emphasized the coastal color scheme through her choice of textiles and artwork, yet maintained pristine white walls. She remarks, "The abundance of colors within it has always fascinated me."

Choosing Busy Wallpaper

If you decide to use wallpaper in your area, opt for just one accent wall and make certain you pick a design that isn’t overwhelming. Now is not the moment for countless floral motifs in an dizzying spectrum of hues—in fact, such a choice may never be suitable. Consider this advice when thinking about decorating the breakfast nook mentioned here. Oak Hill, Tennessee home employs an audacious and theatrical wallpaper on one wall for striking impact.

Having Bulky Furniture

To maintain an open and airy atmosphere, avoid bulky furnishings and opt for sleek designs with slim profiles that won’t overwhelm the area. Opt for petite items that allow clear sightlines throughout the room. Also, consider mixing up your side tables instead of matching them perfectly; focus on ensuring they complement each other as part of a cohesive look. This approach helps maximize limited spaces efficiently.

Not Cleaning Up Clutter

Perhaps this should have topped our list under "enemies." Be it an untended pile of letters, small trinkets scattered around, or soiled clothes gathering dust in a corner—when items aren’t where they belong, your area can start feeling claustrophobic. Ensuring each thing has its designated spot aids significantly in maintaining order and prevents clutter from taking over. cluttered situation .

Heavily Dressing Your Windows

If you want to ensure quality sleep, consider using an eye mask rather than bulky blackout curtains. Although these drapes can obstruct some much-needed natural light even when partially opened. Instead, choose lightweight sheers to allow ample sunlight into your room and make the area feel more spacious.

Not Incorporating Enough Light

It may seem repetitive, but light genuinely is your greatest ally when dealing with a compact area. Installing sconces beside the bed can be an excellent way to save space. small bedroom If you have a reading corner, a lamp will be lighten things up without feeling bulky.

Mounting Your Curtain rods Too Low

A key way to significantly enhance the sense of spaciousness in your room is hanging your curtains At the appropriate elevation. Rather than positioning them immediately above the window, place them roughly halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling. Positioning your drapes at this level can stretch the appearance of your walls, making your ceilings appear taller than they really are.

Placing Furniture in Heavily Used Spaces

Including furnishings in heavily trafficked sections will definitely restrict your area. Besides, why would anyone want to constantly navigate around pieces of furniture whenever they go into a room? To prevent this disarray entirely, consider making some changes. Seek opportunities where you can eliminate furniture from these spaces or push them towards the periphery of the room. Doing so should make the environment much more welcoming.

Not Implementing Mirrors

A strategically positioned mirror can enhance the sense of openness in a room by creating an illusion of extra space. The appropriate mirror can help with this effectively. The space will seem significantly more spacious. Then consider adding a circular mirror above your dressing table, or place a traditional freestanding mirror in the corner of the space.

Ignoring Corners And Alcoves

Unconventionally shaped areas can be your best allies when you want to optimize a room without making it feel cramped. A section beneath your staircase might offer valuable storage solutions or a cozy area for sitting and reading. The odd angles around your fireplace may be perfect for built-in shelves . Let your imagination run wild and utilize every inch of space in the room.

Undersizing The Rug

Although large pieces of furniture might make a room feel cramped, the reverse often applies to rugs. An inadequately sized rug can divide up a space in such a manner that it appears even more compacted. Conversely, choose a rug This encompasses everything except for a border of 12 inches along the edges of the room (in an open-concept layout, consider each distinct sitting or workspace as a separate room). Position the furnishings above the rug to create the illusion of more space. Got a distinctive Oriental or cowhide rug you want to highlight? Layer it On top of a neutral rug, making it serve as an accent without altering the size perception of your space.

Ignoring Vertical Space

High ceilings only do so much good if everything in the room resides in the bottom half of the space. Even in a room with low ceilings, a gallery wall or vertical shelving can draw the eye upward and elongate your walls.

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