12 Objects That Are Making Your Room Look Smaller Than It Really Is
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To create a comfortable and inviting living space, we often find ourselves selecting furniture and decor that reflect our personal style. However, sometimes we unintentionally undermine our efforts by incorporating objects that diminish the perceived size of our rooms. In this article, we will explore some common objects and design choices that can make your room appear smaller than it truly is. By identifying and addressing these potential space-squeezing culprits, you can take steps toward maximizing the visual expanse of your room. Read on!
In This Article
1. Big Wallpaper Prints
Bold and oversized wallpaper prints tend to draw excessive attention and can create the illusion of a smaller space. To achieve the opposite effect and make your room appear more spacious, opt for wallpapers featuring lighter hues and subtle, small-scale patterns. This choice will enhance light reflection, resulting in a room that feels more expansive and airy.
2. Open Bookshelves
Open bookcases tend to appear cluttered and overwhelming in a room’s decor. This effect is especially pronounced in smaller spaces, where they can exacerbate the sense of limited roominess. Consider furniture pieces with doors that allow you to conceal the visual chaos. This approach allows you to maintain access to your beloved book collection while harmonizing the case with your room’s color scheme. By minimizing visual clutter, your room will naturally appear more spacious and inviting.
3. L-Shaped Sofa
L-shaped sofas have gained immense popularity in recent times, but it’s important to recognize that while they excel at defining zones in spacious, open areas, they can pose challenges in smaller rooms. They may be perfect for delineating space in larger layouts, but they often impede the flow and functionality of a confined room.
4. Keeping Decor At Eye Level
You might not be aware that arranging everything at eye level can inadvertently create the illusion of a cramped space, regardless of your ceiling height. Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to visually elongate your ceiling and, as a result, make your room appear more spacious. The key strategy is to raise the positioning of shelves, decorations, and other items higher than the usual eye level. This technique encourages the gaze to ascend towards the ceiling, effectively expanding the perceived height of the room and lending it a more open feel. Furthermore, elevating items like books, and various objects off the floor contributes to the illusion of increased space within the room.
5. Placement Of Mirror
Mirrors are commonly used for self-reflection, but their reflective qualities can also be harnessed to enhance your surroundings. Positioning a mirror in front of a window can harness natural light, effectively brightening up your bedroom or living room and creating a visually more expansive atmosphere. The same way, if the placement of the mirror is away from the source of light, your room might look more compact than it is.
6. Keeping Furniture At The Entrance
Placing a chair right next to the doorway can result in a cluttered appearance in your living room, kitchen, or bedroom, giving the impression of limited space. Whenever feasible, consider consolidating larger furniture pieces along a single wall. This strategic arrangement not only lends an air of spaciousness but also contributes a few additional inches to the room’s overall dimensions.
Furniture like a couch or chair that conceals its legs tends to appear more substantial and bulky. Having the legs of your furniture visible can serve to declutter your room’s visual aesthetics and create a sense of greater openness within the space.
8. Furniture With A Tall Back
Opting for furniture pieces like a bed, chair, or pouf with modest heights can significantly contribute to the perception of a more spacious room. In the bedroom, consider a low, Asian-style bed for an appropriate choice. When furnishing your living room, select chairs with comfortably lower backs, as they will effectively enhance the open and airy feel of your space.
9. Floor Lamps
Relying solely on floor lamps for illumination may result in an uneven lighting balance within your space. While these lamps can effectively brighten the ceiling, they often cast insufficient light across the rest of the room, causing it to appear smaller and dimly lit. It’s advisable to consider incorporating various types of lamps that distribute light more evenly throughout the area for a well-lit and spacious ambiance.
10. Ceiling Fans
Balancing the temperature in your home and creating an illusion of spaciousness can go hand in hand. Ceiling fans can significantly alter a room’s aesthetics and cast shadows regardless of your location. As an alternative, opt for a white fan or low-profile task lighting to achieve a similar cooling effect without compromising the room’s visual openness.
11. Big Stuffed Toys
Large stuffed toys, such as teddy bears, certainly bring an adorable touch to your home but can occupy valuable space. These oversized toys tend to dominate the room, diverting attention away from its interior. If your living space is not particularly spacious but you have children, a practical solution is to store toys in baskets or charming boxes to maintain a tidier and more open feel within the home.
12. Thick Drapes
Curtains with substantial thickness, crafted from materials like satin or velvet, can create the illusion of a lower ceiling and seem to form an unseen barrier within the room. Moreover, they tend to absorb the natural light entering through the window. On the other hand, choosing lightweight, smooth fabrics like linen can infuse the interior with more vibrancy, promoting a brighter and airier ambiance.
It is essential to be mindful of how certain elements can inadvertently make your room appear smaller than it truly is. Remember, the art of making a room appear larger lies not just in its size but in the thoughtful selection and arrangement of objects within it. With these insights in mind, you can unlock the full potential of your living space and create an environment that truly reflects your style and comfort. So, what is your favorite trick for making your interiors appear larger? Let us know in the comments section!
