9 decorating choices that make a room feel smaller

Decorating can completely change the way a room feels, but some common choices unintentionally make a space look cramped. Even if you have a decent amount of square footage, the wrong colors, furniture, or layouts can make it feel closed-in.

The good news is these mistakes are easy to spot and fix. Once you know what to avoid, you can make any room feel more open without tearing down walls.

Dark paint on all walls

Dark colors can make a room feel cozy, but when used on every wall, they absorb light and make the space feel smaller.

If you love darker tones, try using them on an accent wall or balance them with lighter furniture and décor.

Oversized furniture

Large furniture can overwhelm a room, leaving little space to move around. Even if it’s comfortable, it makes the space feel cluttered.

Opting for pieces that fit the scale of the room keeps things balanced while still providing function and comfort.

Heavy window treatments

Thick curtains block natural light and add visual weight to a room, making it feel tighter than it is.

Lighter fabrics or blinds let more light in and make the space feel open while still giving you privacy.

Too many small décor items

Lots of knickknacks or small decorations crowd surfaces and draw the eye in too many directions. This creates visual clutter that shrinks the room.

Fewer, larger décor pieces give a cleaner look and make the space feel less busy.

Blocking natural pathways

Arranging furniture in a way that blocks natural walkways makes the room feel cramped. Even if the furniture fits, poor placement shrinks usable space.

Keeping clear paths through the room makes it feel more open and comfortable to move through.

Using too many patterns

Mixing lots of bold patterns can overwhelm a space. When every surface competes for attention, the room feels chaotic and smaller.

Balancing patterns with solid colors helps the space feel cohesive and more open.

Low-hanging light fixtures

Fixtures hung too low make ceilings feel lower, reducing the sense of space in the room.

Mounting lights higher or using fixtures that spread light upward helps the room feel taller and brighter.

Ignoring mirrors

Without reflective surfaces, light doesn’t bounce around the room as much, and the space feels flatter.

Mirrors create the illusion of more space by reflecting both light and surroundings. Even one well-placed mirror can make a big difference.

Too much furniture against walls

Pushing every piece of furniture against the wall can actually make a room feel smaller, not bigger. It leaves the center looking empty and the sides crowded.

Floating furniture slightly off the walls creates better flow and makes the room feel larger.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.