Lighting has a very important role to play in how spacious a room feels, more than almost any other design element, but it’s often overlooked until after furniture and colors are chosen. Poor lighting can make spaces feel dim and even unsafe. It creates shadows that make rooms look smaller, causes harsh contrasts that break up the space, and misses chances to highlight features that could make rooms feel bigger. Many people live with lighting that actually makes their rooms feel smaller, whether the space is small or large.
The good news is you don’t need to rewire or do major renovations to fix lighting mistakes. Simple changes like placement of light fixtures, the bulbs you use, and how you layer lighting can make a room feel much larger and more open.
The good news is you don’t need to rewire or do major renovations to fix lighting mistakes. Simple changes like placement of light fixtures, the bulbs you use, and how you layer lighting can make a room feel much larger and more open.
Let’s look at common lighting mistakes that make rooms feel smaller and how you can fix them.
Why does overhead lighting alone make my room feel cramped?
One overhead light creates harsh shadows and makes the space feel flat. When light only comes from overhead sources, you lose the depth and dimension that help rooms feel open and bigger. Dark corners make the room seem smaller, and the bright center with dim edges can feel like a tunnel. To fix this, add lighting at different heights. Use table lamps, floor lamps, and wall sconces to spread light around the room, remove dark corners, and create a warm glow that makes the space feel bigger. Even in small rooms, having two or three light sources at different levels can make a big difference. The goal is to avoid having just one bright spot surrounded by shadows.
Can the choice of the light bulb color make a room look smaller?
Yes, the color of your room light matters. Cool white or daylight bulbs (typically rated 5000K or higher) emit a harsh light that will highlight every flaw and make rooms feel more closed in and less inviting. These bulbs can also wash out colors, so rooms look flat. Warm white bulbs (usually in the 2700K to 3000K rating range) give a softer light that spreads more gently and evenly, making spaces feel bigger and more comfortable. Depending on the space you are decorating, warmer tones make colors look richer and add depth. If your room feels small, avoid blue-toned or daylight bulbs. Check your current bulbs and swap out any labeled daylight, cool white, or high-Kelvin bulbs. This simple change is affordable and can make your room feel much more open.
What’s wrong with having all my lights at the same height?
If all your lights are at the same height, the room can feel dull and flat. When every light is overhead or all at table level, the space lacks layers and interest. Rooms will look bigger when you use lights at different heights. Floor or table lamps, and even low accent lights like LED strips under furniture, help guide your eyes around the room, making ceilings seem higher, and the space feel larger. Even small changes help. For example, adding a floor lamp to a room that only has table lamps and overhead lights can instantly make it feel more open.
Why do my small rooms still feel dark even with lights on?
Usually, the problem is not having enough light. Many fixtures use bulbs that are too dim for the room’s size. For example, a single 60-watt equivalent bulb in a table lamp isn’t enough to light a whole room, but people often expect it to be. Layering lights helps, but each one also needs to be bright enough. Living rooms need about 20 lumens per square foot, so a 100-square-foot room should have about 2,000 lumens from all light sources combined. Check the lumens on your bulbs (it’s on the packaging) and add them up. If you’re below the target, add brighter bulbs or more fixtures. Dimmer switches are also helpful because they let you adjust the brightness as needed.
Does furniture placement affect how lighting makes a room feel?
Yes, furniture placement does make a big difference in the way the room is perceived. When you keep all your furniture against the walls and put lamps only along the edges, the center of the room stays dark, making the space feel smaller. Moving furniture away from the walls and placing lights in the seating area to brighten the center and make the room feel more open. Floor lamps behind or beside furniture can create pools of light that help the room look bigger. Also, don’t block windows with tall furniture, since that keeps natural light from spreading. Even sheer curtains with the right artificial lighting can make a room feel brighter and larger. Aim for lighting that fills the whole room, not just the edges.
Can mirrors really make a room feel bigger with lighting?
Mirrors can help a room feel bigger by reflecting light around the space. Placing mirrors across from or next to windows helps spread natural light. Mirrors that reflect artificial lights do the same thing. For example, a mirror behind a table lamp can make the room feel brighter and more open without adding more lights. Bigger mirrors work better than small ones for this. A full-length or large wall mirror bounces more light and can really change how the room feels. Just be careful not to put mirrors where they reflect clutter or things you don’t want to see more of. The reflection should make the room look better, not messier.
What lighting mistakes make low ceilings feel even lower?
Large lights, like chandeliers, can make low ceilings feel even lower and overwhelm the room. Instead, use flush-mount or semi-flush fixtures that are close to the ceiling. Uplighting, which means pointing light up at the ceiling, makes the ceiling look higher and the room feel bigger. Wall sconces that shine upward do the same thing. Painting the ceiling a lighter color than the walls also helps, especially if you use lighting that brightens the ceiling. Recessed lighting is another option, but it can be harder to install. The main idea is to avoid heavy-looking fixtures and use light to make the ceiling seem higher.
Which lighting to use in an open floor plan?
When budgets are tight, people often use the same lights everywhere. This is an important consideration in an open floor plan, where lights can make the space feel smaller because it lacks clear zones. Zoning with lighting is important in open spaces. Using different types of lighting in each area, like living, dining, or entry passages, makes the space feel bigger, almost like there are multiple rooms instead of just one. A simple interior designer trick is to use different types of light fixtures to mark each zone, such as pendant lights over the dining table, floor lamps in the living area, and sconces in the entryway. Just keep the light color and general style similar so everything still looks coordinated. Mixing up your lighting adds depth and makes open spaces feel more thoughtfully designed and spacious. Check our blog for more on open-space zone lighting.
Most lighting mistakes are easy and affordable to fix. Changing bulbs, adding a floor lamp, moving your current lights, or using mirrors can all make a room feel bigger without any major renovation or big budgets. Good lighting isn’t just about making a room bright, it’s about layering light, removing harsh shadows, and helping your eyes move through the space so rooms feel open and larger than they really are.
