An important part of designing an interior is keeping in mind how design choices affect the perceived size of a room. Everyone has unique tastes in how they want their interior. Some prefer large and spacious rooms while other prefer small and cozy. Whether you use this as a checklist or a what-not-to-do list, we want to inform you of what design elements make a room feel smaller.
A Lot of Furniture
One of the first things that will make a room feel small is having a lot of furniture or decor. The more floor space that’s taken up by belongings, the less space there is to move around. Not having much walking space will make a room feel smaller.
This can actually be used to your advantage. If you have a wide open space that feels too large and cold, adding some more furnishings can help. Try putting down a rug or two. Move your second couch or armchair to sit across from the first instead of cornered to it. Fill empty corners with plants or empty walls with bookshelves. Filling out empty space can be a great way to make a room feel more lived-in.
Dark Paint
One of the known taboos of home design is using dark paint. This seems to be a love it or hate it concept. While many say dark colors or black used on walls makes them feel too closed in, others love it.
Whether you want your room to feel bigger or smaller, dark paint is actually worthwhile to consider. While using black on all of your walls is bound to make a room feel smaller, there’s actually a use that does the opposite. Painting the back wall of a room with black can give the illusion of a bigger room. The black paint doesn’t display shadows very clearly. This dark wall can give the impression of a room that’s deeper than it really is. It’s as if you’re hiding extra space behind whatever furniture is standing in front of it.
Obstructive Layout
Even if you don’t have a lot of furniture in a room, you can still make it feel smaller with the arrangement. Because our brains equate floor space with overall size, an obstructive layout will make a room feel smaller
In a room that’s already small, this effect probably isn’t desired. Remedy this by rearranging your furniture so that it lines the walls instead. This will give you an easy path from one thing to the next, the middle of the room being more open. If you’re struggling with small rooms, it might be time to consider an addition.
However, if your room is large as it is, an obstructive layout can give it more dynamic. As long as it’s not difficult to maneuver around the room, it works as a positive filler. Have couches face each other and leave space between them and the wall. Use a coffee table instead of a side table, so it’s less compact. Bring your dining table away from the walls a bit. These things can fill out free space nicely.
