5 Decorating Mistakes That Make Your Home Look Smaller

No one wants to make their home feel more cramped. But sometimes, in the name of style or convenience, we commit some of the biggest home decorating mistakes without even knowing it. From oversized furniture to poor lighting choices, these missteps can visually shrink your space faster than a thick coat of dark paint in a windowless room.

So, let's fix that. Here are five major decorating mistakes to avoid—along with easy, interior-designer-approved fixes.

1. Choosing the Wrong-Sized Furniture

This is the number one culprit.

We get it! Oversized sectionals are comfy, and that giant reclaimed wood coffee table looked amazing online. But in a small space? Proportion matters. Bulky furniture eats up precious square footage and blocks the visual flow.

Fix it: Choose furniture that's appropriately scaled to your space. Low-profile sofas, glass or acrylic coffee tables, and leggy furniture (so you can see more floor) help open things up.

One designer recalled a client who bought a king-sized bed for a tiny guest room. The result? The room looked like it was built around the bed. Lesson learned.

2. Ignoring Vertical Space

Small spaces require vertical thinking. Many underutilize their walls, leaving visual clutter on every surface, while blank walls stare back with wasted potential.

Fix it: Install floating shelves, tall bookcases, or wall-mounted lighting to draw the eye upward. This creates the illusion of height and frees up floor space. Even hanging your curtains higher than the window frame can give the room a more expansive feel.

3. Poor Lighting Strategy

Lighting is like the Instagram filter of your home. It can enhance or flatten your vibe.

Too little light (or just one harsh overhead fixture) casts shadows, making rooms feel tighter and gloomier.

Fix it: Layer your lighting. Use a mix of ambient (overhead), task (reading lamps), and accent (sconces or LED strips). Light bounces = perceived space. Mirrors help, too, as they reflect light and double your visual square footage.

Add dimmers. They let you control mood and brightness based on the time of day or activity.

4. Going Overboard with Décor

Let's talk clutter. Too many knickknacks, excessive throw pillows, and gallery walls that go edge-to-edge—all these well-intentioned style moves can overwhelm a space.

This is one of those sneaky home decorating mistakes that makes it seem like you're adding personality. Still, instead, you're just adding visual weight.

Fix it: Apply the classic design principle, which is the rule of three. Group items in threes for balance and visual appeal.

Example: A trio of vases, three frames on a shelf, or three cushions on a couch. 

Also, embrace negative space. Every surface doesn't need styling. Sometimes, a blank wall or clear tabletop is the best décor choice.

5. Sticking to Dark and Heavy Colors

While deep tones can look cozy and dramatic, they absorb light and make a room feel enclosed. Suppose you're working with a small space and wondering why it still feels heavy even after decluttering. In that case, your color palette might be to blame.

Fix it: Choose light, airy colors for your walls and big furniture pieces: whites, pale greys, soft taupes, and muted blues. You can still add pops of color or texture with accent pieces like mustard throw blankets or terracotta planters.

You can paint ceilings the same light tone as the walls. It removes harsh contrast and makes everything feel taller.

Bonus Tip: Mirrors, Baby

We won't call this a sixth mistake, but not using mirrors strategically is a missed opportunity.

A large mirror opposite a window or behind a key light source doubles a room's sense of depth and brightness.

Pro tip: Choose oversized mirrors with thin frames or mount mirror panels for an 'architectural' look.

Decorating small spaces is all about visual flow and restraint. Don't try to fill every inch. Not everything has to make a statement. 

So, if you've made some of these decorating mistakes, don't panic. They're fixable, and often, the smallest tweaks deliver the most significant impact.

Now go forth, declutter wisely, brighten generously, and decorate with intention. Your home will thank you for it.