5 Things that Can Make a Room Feel Claustrophobic

Do you have a room in your home you avoid because it gives you that panic-attacky feeling? Okay, maybe not full-on panic, but how about “Nah, there’s something I don’t like,” and that something is a sense of being cramped? Y’know, those rooms where you don’t feel you can take a breath deeply. What’s funny is that feeling doesn’t necessarily apply to only small rooms. I’ve helped people fix claustrophobic-feeling spaces, some of which were sizable—both the feeling and the space.

So here are the most common culprits when it comes to making a room feel small, and guidance you can use to “size up” the situation effectively.

1. Too Much Stuff: Okay, I’m starting with the most obvious issue; however, trust me when I tell you that when it’s your own stuff, it can be hard to realize it’s too much. Too many photos, vases, pillows, etc. The fix: set up an area to showcase a few things you really love and store the rest. Change out the items as often as you like. Keep the total number small, maybe three, five or seven items arranged tastefully on a shelf or the mantle (odd numbers tend to feel more balanced). Clean out those extra magazines, books, and newspapers you’ve been meaning to read and store, donate, or toss them. Clearing clutter will definitely make your space feel roomier and the solution is easy and free

2. Wrong Color Choice: Color is so powerful! Certain colors can make any space feel like a cave. The fix: avoid cave living by sticking to soft, lighter colors—they make your space feel open and airy, especially if you’re room isn’t big to begin with. Lighter colors seem to recede and make your room feel larger.

3. Poor Space Planning: How your place your furniture and other larger items within your space can make a huge difference in how it feels. Oddly, placing all your furniture around the perimeter of a room can make it feel smaller than using all the space in the room, even the middle. The fix: avoid blocking windows and doorways with large furniture pieces. Don’t dissect your room by placing something across the middle of the room that takes up the entire width. I’ve seen it many times. Leave 18 to 24 inches around items to allow for easy passing. If people need to turn sideways to pass by, you’ve created a space that looks and feels tight.

4. Poor Lighting: Nothing makes a space feel smaller than poor lighting. The fix: the most important thing here is to use whatever natural light you have to your advantage. Don’t block windows with dark, heavy window treatments. Don’t block windows with large furniture pieces. If you need light or heat control in the room, consider lighter colored, sun-blocking window treatments that come in every color now, even white. Make sure any artificial light is adequate. You want to use all the natural light available, and supplement with ambient lighting that blankets your space with warm light, along thoughtful task lighting for reading, working, and other activities. Accent lighting can add interest and help tie your design together.

5. Wrong Furniture Color/Sizes: Furniture may be to blame in your cramped space. The fix: think through what furniture you need to make your space functional, solve for that and remove the rest. Make sure to consider if items you’re removing can be used elsewhere. When shopping, try to avoid, oversized, dark, heavy pieces as they can weigh a room down and make it feel tight. Furniture with a lighter finish or fabric color automatically creates a more open feel. Can’t afford new stuff? Consider slipcovers and paint! There are so many great options online to recover about any size or shape sofas or chairs, and they are quite affordable. If your wood items have seen better days, break out the paint and give those pieces a facelift with a soft, lighter color.

I hope these five small ideas bring you big results. Now, what will you do next to love where you live?

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