While the process of redecorating your home can definitely be an exciting one, it’s easy to get carried away and eventually design a space that seems smaller than when you started. The whole point of redecorating is to develop the room in such a way that it appears, if not larger, more inviting and pleasant. With that in mind, here are some decorating mistakes that can make your house feel smaller:
Matching Everything
It can be quite tempting to develop an overall theme that most of the items in the room fit. While it is important to make sure that different components of a room work well together, that doesn’t mean they have to match- in fact, it’s generally better if they don’t. Mix it up a bit by throwing together a different combination of pillows, wall decorations, and the like.
Misplacing Furniture
It’s quite common for people to push all of their furniture against the wall, so as to create a more open space. The drawback to this tactic is that it can create a void in the center of the room, which actually makes the overall space feel smaller. If you want to keep furniture against the wall, keep it a few inches away to make it seem like there’s more space between the furniture and wall than there actually is.
Dark Wallpaper
Dark wallpaper will absorb a great deal of light, making a room seem smaller than it is. To avoid this, stick to light-colored wallpaper or limit the use of dark wallpaper to a feature wall. Keep in mind that lighter walls will make a space feel more inviting as well, and since we’re dealing with homes, that’s a characteristic you’ll generally want to keep!
Partial Length Curtains
While they’re quite popular, the main drawback to partial length (or ¾-length) curtains is that they give the impression of a lower ceiling. If you’re going to get curtains, make sure to get them at full-length, or if you’re dead-set on using partial length curtains, hang them from the top of the wall.
Bad Lighting
Many rooms have one source of light- an overhead lamp. This can make the space feel smaller, so choose several different lamps and position them throughout the room to make it seem larger. If you don’t have the space for multiple lamps, use a mirror to reflect light throughout the room.
Too Many Ornaments
Choosing to crowd a space with ornaments and knick-knacks will do just that- crowd it. Be sure to leave some empty space in the room that you’re redecorating, as it will not only make the area seem larger, but it will also draw more attention to the objects you want to highlight.
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