These 6 Mistakes Can Make Your Home Feel Smaller, Designers Warn

Just as there are visual tricks to make a room feel bigger, there are design choices that can make a room feel small, dark, and cramped. Chances are, you don't want to embrace the latter, but you could be doing so unintentionally.

So, we asked designers to point out some decisions you may want to course-correct. From installing window treatments too low to picking the wrong rug size, these are the design mistakes that are best to avoid, according to experts.

Creating an Accent Wall

Accent walls are well past their design feature heyday—and they could be bringing down the size of your space. “Accent walls call attention to one section of the room, which makes the room feel smaller,” says designer Kelly Neely.

Painting Trim in a Contrasting Color

If the room has low ceilings, avoid painting the trim in a contrasting color to the walls and ceiling. “Contrast trim on low ceilings brings the eye down to where the ceiling meets the walls and makes the room feel shorter and smaller,” says Neely.

Drench the space in one paint color or wrap the whole room in wallpaper instead for a more cohesive look. “When walls, moldings, doors, and the ceiling are painted the same color, it erases boundaries and creates a seamless, expansive feel,” says designer Cyndy Cantley. “And yes, even dark colors work in small spaces—sometimes even better.”

Installing Low Window Treatments

An easy way to make a room feel smaller is by installing your window treatments at a low height. “Ceiling-mount everything, no matter the actual size of your window,” says Cantley. “It draws the eye upward and instantly gives the illusion of taller ceilings.”

Bonus tip: “For even more drama, cover the entire wall in fabric,” Cantley says. “It softens the space and adds a sense of grandeur.”

Foregoing Built-Ins

Cantley believes that built-ins should be your best friend if you want to maximize your square footage. “They fit flush against the walls, saving precious floor space and hiding clutter,” says the designer. “In contrast, freestanding pieces can make a room feel choppy and cramped.”

Forgetting About Big Mirrors

If you don’t have many big mirrors at home, you could be missing out. “Floor-to-ceiling mirrors placed across from a window bounce light around and double the visual depth,” Cantley says. “Antique mirrors? Even better. You get charm and reflection.”

Not Selecting the Right Rug Size

Yes, size matters in the rug world if you're focused on making a room feel as big as it can. "Nothing shrinks a room faster than a too-small rug," Cantley says. "Make sure your rug is large enough for all your furniture legs to sit comfortably on top. It grounds the space and makes everything feel more cohesive."