No matter the size of your home, creating a stylish and welcoming space is always worthwhile. But some decorating choices can unintentionally make living rooms and bedrooms feel smaller, darker and more cramped than they actually are.
From oversized furniture to curtains that stop short, these small mistakes can quietly change the proportions of a room, making it feel tighter and less comfortable. In compact homes where every inch counts, furniture placement, colour choices and lighting schemes matter even more and getting those details right is crucial.
Here, we break down the common decorating mistakes that can make rooms feel smaller than they are, plus the easy changes for a more spacious and brighter home.
1. Scale furniture to the room
It’s tempting to gravitate towards sprawling sofas or statement-making beds, but furniture that’s too big can easily overwhelm a room. ‘While you want to avoid over-filling, mixing and matching proportions and styles can actually make a space feel more open,’ explains Kellie Wyles, head of upholstery and brand at DFS.
And it’s not just about width – height matters too. ‘Look out for furniture on raised legs, which leaves more of the floor uninterrupted to the eye, giving a sense of spaciousness.’
Always measure up before you buy – it’s the simplest way to make sure your new piece sits comfortably in your space.
2. Give furniture room to breathe
Pushing furniture up against the walls can feel like the obvious way to maximise floor space, but it often has the opposite effect. Instead of opening up a room, it leaves an undefined ‘dead zone’ in the middle. 'Leaving some "breathing room" behind furniture prevents the space from feeling flat and one-dimensional,' explains Daniel Smith, founder of Danetti. 'The separation allows light to flow around the perimeter, brightening darker corners and making the room feel naturally more spacious.'
3. Use dark colours carefully
Dark, moody shades can bring instant glamour and drama, but used in the wrong way, they can also weigh down a room and make it feel smaller.
Opt for whites, creams and soft greys on walls and furnishings if your main aim is to maximise brightness. If you can’t resist a deeper hue, the key is to balance it with softer neutrals. As Rob Abrahams, CEO and co-founder of COAT explains, ‘a deep, smoky olive creates depth and warmth, giving the space a cocooning feel that’s both calming and sophisticated.’ COAT shade Nomad is a rich dark olive perfect for tricky north-facing rooms in particular.
Try Safe Play, Shell Grotto and Nomad, all COAT Paints.
4. Clear the visual clutter
Layering personal touches can introduce character, but too many decorations, surfaces or untidy piles will only make a small space feel even smaller.
Smart storage is key. Ottoman beds, lidded baskets and furniture with hidden compartments can keep everyday essentials close to hand without leaving them on show. For display-worthy pieces, open shelving offers a lighter alternative. The trick is to give each object room to breathe, rather than filling every gap. As designer Yoko Kloeden’s approach suggests, ‘each element has simply earned its place.’ That way, a room can still include personal touches without feeling crowded.
5. Let curtains skim the floor
One of the simplest decorating tweaks you can make starts at the windows. Short curtains might seem like the breezy, pared-back option, but they can have the opposite effect, making ceilings appear lower and throwing the proportions of the room off balance.
Instead, opt for full-length curtains, choosing off-the-shelf panels that sit as close to the floor as possible, or go made-to-measure. These long vertical panels draw the eye upwards, creating a greater sense of height and openness. Light, breezy fabrics in neutrals, pastels or soft stripes will enhance the effect and keep the space feeling airy.
Curtain width matters too. Go too skimpy and you’ll be left with flat-looking fabric that can make the whole scheme feel, well, flat. Measure the width of your window and multiply it by at least two to make sure you have enough fabric to create soft, fluid ripples when the curtains are closed.
6. Layer lighting at different heights
Lighting can absolutely make or break a room. Dim or insufficient sources can cause walls and corners to sink into shadow, visually shrinking the space.
Bedrooms, living rooms and offices all benefit from layered lighting: ambient, task and accent. Even, well-distributed light is far more practical and helps eliminate the harsh shadows that can make a room feel smaller than it is.
Bulb choice is just as important. Warm lighting may create a cosy atmosphere, but it can also make a space feel enclosed, particularly alongside dark walls. Cool white and daylight bulbs, on the other hand, bounce light off pale surfaces and maximise brightness.
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