Is Your Room Shrinking? Let’s Fix That.

Tatum
2 hours ago
2 min read

Hello Decor Friends

If you’ve ever walked into a room and thought, “Why does this feel so cramped?” you’re not alone. Small rooms get a bad rap, but here’s the truth: most of the time, it’s not the size of the room that’s the problem—it’s a few sneaky decorating choices that are making it feel smaller than it actually is. The good news? These are easy fixes. Let’s talk about three common ways you may be shrinking your space (without realizing it) and how to turn things around.

1. Your furniture is too big—or too much of it

Oversized furniture is one of the fastest ways to overwhelm a small room. A bulky sofa, heavy armchairs, or a bed with an oversized headboard can eat up visual and physical space in a heartbeat. Add in too many pieces, and suddenly there’s no breathing room.

The fix:

Scale is everything. Choose furniture that fits the room, not just what you love in the showroom. Look for pieces with slimmer profiles, exposed legs, or open bases—they allow the eye to travel underneath, which creates a lighter, airier feel. And be intentional: fewer, well-chosen pieces will always make a small room feel larger than trying to squeeze everything in.

2. You’re cutting the room in half with paint or contrast

High-contrast paint choices—like a dark color on the bottom half of the wall with a stark white above—can visually slice a room right in two. While this can look dramatic, it often shortens the walls and makes ceilings feel lower, especially in smaller spaces.

The fix:

Keep things visually cohesive. Using one color (or closely related tones) on walls and trim helps the eye move seamlessly around the room, creating the illusion of more space. If you love darker colors, don’t shy away—just consider wrapping the room in that color rather than breaking it up. Continuity is your secret weapon here.

Designer Tip

Small rooms are perfect for color drenching. Mix your sheens and your room can look fantastic.

3. Your lighting is working against you

Relying on a single overhead light can cast harsh shadows and leave corners feeling dark and closed in. Poor lighting makes small rooms feel flat, tight, and honestly… a little sad.

The fix:

Layer your lighting. A mix of table lamps, floor lamps, sconces, or even plug-in picture lights adds depth and warmth. Lighting at different heights draws the eye around the room and makes it feel more expansive and intentional. Bonus tip: warm bulbs create a cozy glow without closing in the space.

At the end of the day, small rooms don’t need to feel limiting—they just need a little strategy. Thoughtful furniture choices, cohesive color, and layered lighting can completely change how a space feels without knocking down a single wall. If your small room feels smaller than it should, start here. Tiny tweaks can make a big difference.